Maintenance, Repairs, Operations Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

About Cox Farms

Cox Farms, which operates across North America, is part of the Cox Enterprises family of businesses and a pioneering leader in the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) industry. Backed by Cox Enterprises’ long-standing commitment to building stronger businesses and a better world, Cox Farms is dedicated to revolutionizing food production through sustainable and innovative technology. Our cutting-edge facilities leverage advanced agronomic, production, and greenhouse systems to deliver fresh, high-quality produce to consumers year-round—minimizing environmental impact while maximizing resource efficiency.

We are seeking a skilled and detail-oriented MRO Specialist to support the maintenance, reliability, and operational needs of our network of greenhouses and food manufacturing facilities. This position will be responsible for coordinating maintenance-related materials, managing spare parts and materials inventory, supporting equipment reliability, and utilizing the company’s CMMS and ERP system to ensure parts, supplies, and resources are available when needed.

The ideal candidate has experience in industrial maintenance, MRO inventory management, and MRP/ERP systems, along with strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills. This role will work closely with Maintenance, Procurement, Operations, FSQ, and EHS teams to improve equipment reliability and minimize downtime. 

This is a builder role that will lead the effort to setup standard processes, parts inventory, and work order planning processes across multiple recently commissioned sites that are going from startup to scale up. A hands on and on site approach will be required with routine travel to sites across the network. 

Specifically, you will:

• Lead the effort to setup critical and consumable spare parts inventory processes across the network of sites
• Partner with site maintenance managers, leads, and technicians improve equipment reliability
• Coordinate MRO materials, spare parts, tools, lubricants, and maintenance supplies
• Manage and maintain accurate MRO inventory levels 
• Establish and maintain appropriate minimum/maximum inventory levels and critical-spare requirements
• Create and maintain accurate part numbers, descriptions, specifications, and equipment associations
• Generate material requests, purchase requisitions, and maintenance-related orders
• Work closely with procurement teams to ensure critical maintenance parts are available when required
• Support preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance activities
• Assist Maintenance personnel with identifying required parts, materials, and resources for planned and unplanned repairs
• Maintain accurate maintenance records, work orders, equipment histories, and material usage within the MRP/CMMS system
• Monitor maintenance material usage and identify opportunities to reduce costs and improve inventory efficiency
• Coordinate with vendors and suppliers regarding parts, availability, specifications, and lead times
• Support and/or lead root-cause analysis and continuous-improvement initiatives related to equipment reliabilit
• Support the installation, modification, and commissioning of equipment as needed
• Maintain an organized and efficient storeroom and parts-management process
• Ensure compliance with company safety policies, procedures, and applicable regulatory requirements
• Travel expected at 40%+ across the network of greenhouses

The ideal candidate:

• Technical degree, trade certification, or equivalent experience required with Bachelors degree preferred
• 8-10+ years of experience in industrial maintenance, MRO, inventory management, manufacturing, or a related field
• Must have experience in delivering across multiple facilities and successfully coordinating and influencing teams remotely
• Experience using an MRP, ERP, CMMS, or computerized maintenance management system
• Strong understanding of MRO materials, spare parts, and maintenance processes
• Strong organizational and inventory-management skills
• Ability to analyze MRP requirements and prioritize material needs
• Basic understanding of mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment
• Ability to read equipment manuals, technical documentation, drawings, schematics, and parts information
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office or similar business software
• Strong communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently while effectively coordinating with multiple departments
• Experience with purchasing, vendor management, or maintenance procurement

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with NetSuite, SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar MRP/ERP systems
• Previous experience in an MRO Specialist, Maintenance Planner, Maintenance Stores, or Maintenance Materials role
• Experience managing critical spare parts and maintenance inventory
• Knowledge of preventive and predictive maintenance practices
• Experience with equipment reliability and root-cause analysis
• Technical certification or trade background in mechanical, electrical, industrial maintenance, or a related field

Work Environment

This position operates primarily in a greenhouse and food manufacturing facility and may require interaction with production equipment, maintenance areas, and warehouses. The employee must follow all required safety procedures and personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements. Located at one of our three main lettuce production facilities Lorena, TX, Macon, GA, or Yorkville, IL and expected to 40%+ travel across the network of farms expected.