O&M Site Manager - Ultra-Pure Water & Wastewater Systems

O&M Site Manager – Ultra-Pure Water & Wastewater Systems

Location: Tempe, AZ

Employment Type: Full-Time

Work Arrangement: 100% Onsite | Client Facility

Salary: $120,000–$150,000 annually

Travel: Minimal | Meetings and Training as Needed

Industry: Water Treatment | Wastewater Management | Industrial Operations | Engineering

Position Overview

Wheeler Staffing Partners is seeking an experienced and results-driven Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Site Manager for a full-time, onsite opportunity in Tempe, AZ. This position is responsible for leading the safe, reliable, and efficient operation and maintenance of advanced Ultra-Pure Water (UPW) and wastewater treatment systems within a highly technical industrial environment.

The O&M Site Leader will oversee daily site operations, supervise engineers, technicians, operators, and contractors, and ensure operational performance aligns with established production, efficiency, safety, and reliability standards. This role is accountable for achieving outcome-based key performance indicators (KPIs), maintaining regulatory compliance, optimizing equipment reliability, and driving continuous improvement initiatives.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years of industrial operations and maintenance experience , including 5+ years in a supervisory or leadership capacity , with a strong background in plant operations, maintenance planning, asset reliability, and technical team management. This individual must demonstrate exceptional leadership, strategic problem-solving, and operational decision-making skills while maintaining a strong commitment to safety, customer satisfaction, and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, plan, coordinate, and oversee daily Ultra-Pure Water (UPW) and wastewater treatment system operations to achieve production, performance, quality, and efficiency targets.
• Direct site operations and maintenance activities to ensure system reliability, operational continuity, and compliance with established performance standards.
• Maintain accountability for achieving outcome-based key performance indicators (KPIs), including equipment uptime, system reliability, operational efficiency, and maintenance effectiveness.
• Ensure operational readiness and execution of system startups, shutdowns, emergency response procedures, and contingency planning.
• Coordinate with customers, engineering teams, maintenance personnel, and technical support departments to maintain uninterrupted operations and meet performance expectations.
• Lead the development, implementation, and execution of preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs.
• Monitor equipment condition, maintenance performance, and operational data to maximize asset reliability, equipment availability, and system uptime.
• Oversee troubleshooting efforts and ensure timely resolution of equipment failures, process disruptions, and operational issues.
• Enforce safety, health, and environmental (SHE) policies, procedures, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Supervise, mentor, and provide technical leadership to engineers, maintenance technicians, system operators, and contractors.
• Oversee workforce planning, task assignments, operational priorities, and team performance.
• Lead asset integrity programs, reliability improvement initiatives, and equipment lifecycle management activities.
• Direct root cause failure analysis (RCFA), identify recurring equipment issues, and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Utilize Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) and Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) platforms to oversee maintenance scheduling, work order management, equipment tracking, and performance reporting.
• Establish, monitor, and report key performance indicators related to operational efficiency, system reliability, maintenance effectiveness, and safety performance.
• Lead operational planning, maintenance reporting, documentation, compliance audits, and equipment inspections.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve maintenance strategies, operational processes, equipment performance, and resource utilization.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement process improvements, reliability initiatives, and operational best practices.
• Serve as the primary onsite operational leader and point of contact for customer coordination, technical escalations, and site performance.
• Lead site-level continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency, equipment reliability, safety, and long-term system performance.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in industrial operations, plant maintenance, utilities, or a related technical environment.
• 5+ years of supervisory or leadership experience overseeing technical teams, maintenance personnel, or industrial operations.
• Strong understanding of industrial operations and maintenance practices, plant equipment, utility systems, and maintenance management processes.
• Experience developing, implementing, and overseeing preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs.
• Working knowledge of Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) and Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) systems.
• Experience with maintenance planning, work order management, equipment reliability, and operational performance monitoring.
• Strong troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and technical problem-solving abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and manage engineers, technicians, operators, and contractors.
• Knowledge of industrial safety standards, environmental regulations, and workplace compliance requirements.
• Experience managing operational KPIs, system performance metrics, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong organizational, planning, and time management skills with the ability to manage competing operational priorities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including technical reporting and customer coordination.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Experience using operational reporting tools, maintenance tracking systems, and performance management metrics.
• Ability to make sound operational decisions in a fast-paced, safety-sensitive industrial environment.
• Strong commitment to workplace safety, equipment reliability, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future employer-sponsored immigration support.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional certifications in maintenance, reliability, project management, or asset management, such as Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP) or Project Management Professional (PMP).
• Experience managing Ultra-Pure Water (UPW) systems, industrial water treatment, or wastewater treatment operations.
• Background in semiconductor manufacturing, microelectronics, utilities, chemical processing, infrastructure, or related industrial sectors.
• Experience leading operations and maintenance teams supporting complex industrial utility systems and critical process equipment.
• Familiarity with advanced water treatment technologies, including reverse osmosis, filtration, ion exchange, and membrane-based treatment systems.
• Experience implementing reliability-centered maintenance strategies and asset performance improvement initiatives.
• Knowledge of root cause failure analysis (RCFA), failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA), and corrective action programs.
• Experience overseeing operational readiness, equipment startups, shutdowns, and emergency response activities.
• Familiarity with performance-based service agreements, operational KPIs, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Previous experience serving as a Site Leader, Plant Manager, Operations Manager, or Maintenance Manager within an industrial facility.

Equipment, Systems & Technical Knowledge

The O&M Site Leader will oversee industrial operations and maintenance activities involving technologies and systems such as:

• Ultra-Pure Water (UPW) Treatment and Distribution Systems
• Industrial Wastewater Treatment Systems
• Industrial Water Treatment and Utility Systems
• Reverse Osmosis (RO) Systems
• Filtration and Membrane Treatment Equipment
• Ion Exchange and Water Purification Systems
• Industrial Pumps, Valves, and Mechanical Equipment
• Process Monitoring and Control Systems
• Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS)
• Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) Platforms
• Preventive and Predictive Maintenance Programs
• Asset Reliability and Equipment Performance Monitoring
• Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA)
• Operational Reporting and KPI Management Tools

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Full-time, onsite position located at a client facility in Tempe, AZ.
• Work is performed in an industrial plant environment supporting critical water treatment, wastewater, and utility operations.
• Must comply with all established safety procedures, environmental regulations, and operational requirements.
• Required use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when working in designated plant areas.
• Must be comfortable working around industrial equipment, mechanical systems, and active plant operations.
• Ability to respond to operational issues, equipment failures, and changing site priorities.
• Minimal travel may be required for meetings, technical training, or operational coordination.

Why Work with Wheeler Staffing Partners?

At Wheeler Staffing Partners , we do more than connect talented professionals with great opportunities—we build lasting career partnerships. Our team is committed to providing personalized support throughout your job search, offering transparent communication, timely feedback, and access to opportunities with respected employers across the country. From your first conversation through onboarding and beyond, we're dedicated to helping you find a position where you can grow, succeed, and make a meaningful impact.