Facility Operations Manager

Join our community of food professionals as a key leader ensuring the safe, efficient, and compliant operation of all facility functions in a high-volume, temperature-controlled food distribution environment.

About the role

This position oversees facility, domicile, and hub operations, including general maintenance, repairs, sanitation, groundskeeping, office space, security, power industrial equipment, and vendor services. The role ensures cold chain integrity, regulatory compliance, and operational uptime through proactive preventive maintenance and rapid issue resolution. You will lead a skilled facilities team, optimize workflows using CMMS and automation, partner with third-party providers, and implement sustainability initiatives to reduce energy consumption and extend asset life.

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 maintain temperature control standards for perishable products. Partner with Quality Assurance and Food Safety teams to prevent product loss and maintain cold chain integrity.
• Manage, assign, and oversee all facility operations activities and capital projects, ensuring timely, high-quality completion while minimizing impact on distribution operations.
• Recruit, train, coach, and evaluate staff performance. Manage labor hours within budget and create work schedules, including overtime as required.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with third-party vendors (utilities, refrigeration contractors, janitorial, pest control, security services) ensuring compliance with all requirements.
• Oversee the selection, purchase, utilization, and inventory control of company assets such as racking, material handling equipment, and refrigeration units.
• Partner with QA and sanitation teams to ensure compliance with food safety regulations (USDA, FDA, GMPs) and maintain facility cleanliness.
• 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 and safety protocols.
• Partner with the Safety Department to deliver training, perform safety observations, investigate accidents, and lead emergency response planning.
• Coordinate with warehouse and transportation teams to ensure facility infrastructure supports high-volume receiving, storage, and shipping activities.

Requirements

• 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.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Facility Operations, Engineering, Construction, or related field, or equivalent relevant work experience.
• Level 1 Ammonia Operator Certification (or successfully completed within the first 12 months of hire for ammonia sites).
• PSM (Process Safety Management)/RMP (Risk Management Process) Certification (or must be completed within the first 12 months of hire for ammonia sites).
• 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.
• Valid driver’s license with motor vehicle record in good standing.

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.
• 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.
• Familiarity with computerized building management systems (BMS) and advanced CMMS analytics.
• Experience implementing and maintaining automation, warehouse control systems, or energy management technologies.
• EPA Section 608 Certification (Freon sites only).
• Powered Industrial Equipment Certification.
• Certificate in fleet trade/mechanic.

Physical Requirements

• Frequently stand, walk, drive, and sit.
• Occasionally lift and carry up to 50 lbs (sedentary to medium physical demand).
• Occasionally push/pull objects (e.g., dolly, cartons, boxes).
• Occasionally climb, balance, stoop, squat, kneel, bend, reach above shoulder, twist, grasp, and manipulate objects.
• Occasionally perform manual dexterity tasks (e.g., typing, use of office machines).
• Work 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.

Supervision

Directly supervises Maintenance and Sanitation Staff (2-10 direct reports based on distribution center size).

Relationships

• Internal: Collaborates daily with Operations, Warehouse, Transportation, Safety, Quality Assurance, Sanitation, and HR teams. Partners with leadership on budgeting, capital projects, and long-term infrastructure planning.
• External: Manages relationships with third-party service providers (refrigeration contractors, utilities, janitorial, pest control, security, equipment suppliers). Serves as primary point of contact for regulatory agencies during inspections and compliance audits.

Work Environment

Onsite role with time spent in an office, inside and outside the distribution center. Work environment includes a variety of climates, including cold warehouse conditions.

Benefits

• Health insurance.
• Pre-tax spending accounts.
• Retirement benefits.
• Paid time off.
• Short-term and long-term disability.
• Employee stock purchase plan.
• Life insurance.
• Annual incentive plan bonus (potential).

Pay

The expected base rate for this role is between $70,000 - $115,000, depending on relevant experience, education, skills, function, and geographic location.