Facility Maintenance Manager - Buffalo, NY

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The Manager, Fleet & Facility Operations is responsible for the safe, efficient, and compliant operation of all fleet maintenance, as well as 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. This role ensures proactive preventative maintenance and rapid issue resolution to ensure regulatory compliance and operational upkeep of all company owned equipment, including facility refrigeration and all vehicles. The Manager, Fleet & Facility Operations will lead and develop a skilled fleet and 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 RESPONSIBILITIES

• 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.
• Lead to create a culture of safety that ensures that every US Foods associate remains injury free, always. Interpret, train, and consistently enforce Company policies and procedures.
• 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 but not limited to 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, refrigeration units, fuel, and shop equipment. Monitor equipment life cycles and recommend replacements or upgrades to maintain operational efficiency. File warranty claims and recovery warranty dollars, and develop the yearly budget.
• 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.
• Ensure all vehicles are in proper working condition by performing and/or overseeing maintenance on all company owned equipment. Provide the proper documentation and applicable certifications and ensure conformance with vehicle manufacture’s service recommendations.
• Work with drivers to enable them to operate specialized equipment properly and provide assistance as needed when troubles develop on the road. Find qualified service to repair downed vehicles and obtain competitive bids for repairs.
• Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations (OSHA, EPA, USDA, DOT, Tax Commission, etc.). Conduct internal audits and maintain documentation for inspections, food safety protocols, EPSM, 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.
• Other duties as assigned by manager.

SUPERVISION :

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

RELATIONSHIPS

• 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, 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 ENVIRONMENT

• May spend a portion of time on the road in a truck exposed to noise and vibration levels which may be higher than those typically experienced in passenger cars. 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 QUALIFICATIONS

• 5 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.
• Ability to adapt to changing organizational and operational needs.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, Teams, etc.).
• Demonstrated knowledge of DOT, Hazmat, and OSHA regulations.
• Working knowledge of ammonia and Freon systems.
• Working knowledge of environmental regulations/legislation and governing bodies.
• Working knowledge of all applicable building, life/safety, and fire protection standards and codes.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree in Facility Operations, Engineering, Construction or related field, or equivalent relevant work experience

CERTIFICATIONS/TRAINING

• Thermo King and Major certification
• Level 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 date
• Certificate, licenses, and registrations in refrigeration/HVAC, if applicable

LICENSES

• Valid driver’s license with motor vehicle record in good standing and ability to travel between sites if required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 5 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.
• Experience implementing automation, warehouse control systems, or energy management technologies to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
• 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.
• EPA Section 608 Certification (Freon sites only)
• Powered Industrial Equipment Certification
• Certificate in fleet trade/mechanic
• State Inspections License
• Class A or B commercial driver license

PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be able to perform the following physical activities for described length of time:

OCCASIONALLY: 1% - 33 / FREQUENTLY: 34% - 66% / CONTINUOUSLY: 67% - 100% or NEVER

JOB REQUIRES WORKER TO:

FREQUENCY:

STAND - OCCASIONALLY

WALK - OCCASIONALLY

DRIVE VEHICLE - OCCASIONALLY

SIT - OCCASIONALLY

LIFT

1-10 lbs (Sedentary) - OCCASIONALLY

11-20 lbs (Light) - OCCASIONALLY

21-50 lbs (Medium) - OCCASIONALLY

51-100 lbs (Heavy) - OCCASIONALLY

Over 100 lbs (Very Heavy) - NEVER

CARRY

1-10 lbs (Sedentary) - OCCASIONALLY

11-20 lbs (Light) - OCCASIONALLY

21-50 lbs (Medium) - OCCASIONALLY

51-100 lbs (Heavy) - OCCASIONALLY

Over 100 lbs (Very Heavy) - NEVER

PUSH/PULL1 - OCCASIONALLY

CLIMPB/BALANCE2 - OCCASIONALLY

STOOP/SQUAT - OCCASIONALLY

KNEEL - OCCASIONALLY

BEND - OCCASIONALLY

REACH ABOVE SHOULDER - OCCASIONALLY

TWIST - OCCASIONALLY

GRASP OBJECTS3 - OCCASIONALLY

MANIPULATE OBJECTS4 - OCCASIONALLY

MANUAL DEXTERITY5 - OCCASIONALLY

1 (Push/Pull: Hand truck, gate, straps, metal ramp, truck door, dolly, boxes, truck gear shift)

2 (Climb/Balance: In/Out Truck/Trailer to cab. On/Off ramp to ground level and side doorsteps and Platform of trailer. Stairs)

3 (Grasp Objects: Hand truck, boxes, cartons, steering wheel)

4 (Manipulate Objects: Boxes, dolly, metal truck ramp, hand truck, paperwork, truck gate, straps)

5 (Manual Dexterity: Typing, use of office machines such as copiers, printers)

This role may also receive annual incentive plan bonus.

​Benefits for this role may include health insurance, pre-tax spending accounts, retirement benefits, paid time off, short-term and long-term disability, employee stock purchase plan, and life insurance. To review available benefits, please click here:

Compensation depends on relevant experience and/or education, specific skills, function, geographic location, and other factors as applicable by law (for example: state or local minimum wage thresholds). The expected base rate for this role is between

$70,000 - $115,000

***EOE – Race/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/ Age/Genetic Information /Protected Veteran/Disability Status***