Plant Operations Manager

Manager, Facility OperationsThe 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.Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesDirect 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.Supervision:Direct: Maintenance and Sanitation Staff (Maintenance Technicians, etc.) with a range of 2-10 direct reports based on size of distribution center.RelationshipsInternal – 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, janitorial, pest control, security, and equipment suppliers. Serves as primary point of contact for local, state, and federal regulatory agencies during inspections and compliance audits. Coordinates with emergency services and community resources for crisis management and safety initiatives.Work EnvironmentOnsite: Will spend a portion of time in an office working on a computer. Time will also be spent inside and outside the distribution center in a variety of climates including normal warehouse conditions with temperatures that may reach -5 degrees.Ability to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, and on-call as needed for 24/7 operation and emergency support.Minimum Qualifications5 years of facilities management experience.3 years working with refrigeration systems within cold chain distribution.Proven leadership experience managing maintenance teams, budgets, and vendor contracts.Strong understanding of OSHA, EPA, USDA, FDA, GMP, and other regulatory compliance requirements.Proficiency with CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management Systems) and basic data analytics to drive performance improvements.Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.EducationBachelor's degree in Facility Operations, Engineering, Construction, or related field, or equivalent relevant work experienceCertifications/TrainingLevel 1 Ammonia Operator Certification or successfully completed within the first 12 months of hire (Ammonia sites only)PSM (Process Safety Management)/RMP (Risk Management Process) Certification or must be completed within the first 12 months of hire (Ammonia sites only)PSM tracking tool training to be completed within 12 months of hire date (Ammonia sites only)CMMS training to be completed within 6 months of hire dateCertificate, licenses, and registrations in refrigeration/HVAC, if applicableLicensesValid driver's license with motor vehicle record in good standing and ability to travel between sites if requiredPreferred Qualifications5 years of facilities management experience in food distribution, manufacturing, or other temperature-controlled, high-volume environments.3 years of proven leadership experience managing maintenance teams, budgets, and vendor contracts.Demonstrated success leading sustainability initiatives (energy reduction, waste minimization, water conservation, green building practices).Lean Six Sigma certification or experience driving continuous improvement programs.Strong vendor negotiation skills and experience managing multi-site service agreements.Ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence at all levels of the organization.Familiarity with computerized building management systems (BMS) and advanced CMMS analytics.Experience implementing and maintaining automation, warehouse control systems, or energy management technologies to improve efficiency and reduce costs.EPA Section 608 Certification (Freon sites only)Powered Industrial Equipment CertificationCertificate in fleet trade/mechanicPhysical QualificationsMust be able to perform the following physical activities for described length of time:Occasionally: 1% - 33 / Frequently: 34% - 66% / Continuously: 67% - 100% or NeverJob requires worker to:Frequency:Stand - OccasionallyWalk - OccasionallyDrive - FrequentlySit - FrequentlyLift1-10 lbs (Sedentary) - Occasionally11-20 lbs (Light) - Occasionally21-50 lbs (Medium) - Occasionally51-100 lbs (Heavy) - OccasionallyOver 100 lbs (Very Heavy) - NeverCarry1-10 lbs (Sedentary) - Occasionally11-20 lbs (