Facility Operations Manager

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The Manager, Facility Operations is responsible for the safe, efficient, and compliant operation of all facility, domicile and hub functions and systems, including general maintenance, repairs, sanitation, groundskeeping, office space, security, power industrial equipment, compliance on all systems and vendor services. In a high-volume, temperature-controlled food distribution environment, this role ensures cold chain integrity, regulatory compliance, and operational uptime through proactive preventive maintenance and rapid issue resolution.

The Manager, Facility Operations will lead and develop a skilled facilities operations and maintenance team, optimize workflows using CMMS and automation technologies, partner with third-party providers, implement sustainability initiatives that reduce energy consumption, extend asset life, and support corporate environmental goals. This position is critical to maintaining a safe workplace, protecting product quality, and enabling uninterrupted service to customers.

• Direct and monitor associates responsible for building, grounds, sanitation, refrigeration systems, power industrial equipment, and security maintenance using tracking software and preventative maintenance schedules. Ensure adherence to Preferred Work Methods (PWMs) and foster a safety-first culture that prioritizes injury-free operations.

• Oversee the operation, monitoring, and maintenance of refrigeration systems to ensure temperature control standards are met for perishable products. Partner with Quality Assurance and Food Safety teams to prevent product loss, maintain cold chain integrity, and respond quickly to temperature excursions or equipment failures.

• Manage, assign, and oversee all facility operations activities and capital projects. Ensure timely, high-quality completion while minimizing impact on distribution operations. Coordinate with other departments for repairs, upgrades, and equipment installations.

• Recruit, train, coach, and evaluate staff performance. Administer discipline when necessary and maintain strong associate relations through open communication, regular meetings, and policy clarification. Manage labor hours within budget and create work schedules, including overtime as required. Ability to prioritize daily tasks and long-term projects to ensure timely completion. Manage competing deadlines with minimal supervision.

• Establish and maintain effective relationships with third-party vendors, including utilities, refrigeration contractors, janitorial, pest control, and security services. Ensure vendors meet all compliance requirements, including current certificates of insurance and hold harmless agreements.

• Oversee the selection, purchase, utilization, and inventory control of company assets such as racking, material handling equipment, and refrigeration units. Monitor equipment life cycles and recommend replacements or upgrades to maintain operational efficiency.

• Partner with QA and sanitation teams to ensure compliance with all food safety regulations (USDA, FDA, GMPs). Maintain facility cleanliness and conduct routine inspections to verify sanitation, pest control, and allergen management programs are effective.

• Develop and manage facility budgets and capital expenditure requests. Identify and implement cost-reduction strategies, sustainability initiatives, and energy efficiency improvements.

• Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations (OSHA, EPA, USDA, Tax Commission, etc.). Conduct internal audits and maintain documentation for inspections, food safety protocols, Process Safety Management (PSM), ammonia refrigeration safety, and fire protection systems.

• Partner with the Safety Department to deliver training, perform safety observations, investigate accidents, and update PWMs. Lead emergency response planning, crisis management, and liaison efforts with local emergency management agencies.

• Coordinate with warehouse and transportation teams to ensure facility infrastructure supports high-volume receiving, storage, and shipping activities without delays or product compromise.

• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned by management.

• Direct:
  Maintenance and Sanitation Staff (Maintenance Technicians, etc.) with a range of 2-10 direct reports based on size of distribution center.

• Internal – Collaborates daily with Operations, Warehouse, Transportation, Safety, Quality Assurance, Sanitation, and HR teams to ensure facility readiness, cold chain integrity, and compliance with safety and food quality standards. Partners with leadership of distribution center and corporate facilities/fleet team on budgeting, capital projects, and long-term infrastructure planning.
• External – Manages relationships with third-party service providers, including refrigeration contractors, utilities,…