Kinnickinnic Garage - Garage Manager

Milwaukee County Transit System•Milwaukee, WI

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Garage Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and performance of the assigned maintenance garage. This position has full accountability for all garage operations across all shifts, including fleet maintenance, facility condition, workforce management, safety, and operational performance. The Garage Manager directly supervises all supervisors assigned to the garage and ensures alignment of staffing, workflows and resources to support safe, reliable, and efficient transit service. This role partners closely with Operations and other internal departments to ensure daily service delivery and long-term performance improvement.

Requirements

Associate’s Degree in Automotive Technology, Diesel Technology, or related field; equivalent experience may be considered in lieu of education.
Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in heavy-duty vehicle or transit maintenance.
Experience working in a unionized environment required.
Valid Class D Wisconsin non-probationary driver’s license required.
Must obtain valid Class B CDL License with Passenger Endorsement and no Air Brake restriction (or valid CDL permit) within 6 months of employment.
Must pass all required pre-employment screenings.
Knowledge of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and State Department of Transportation (DOT) rules and regulations.
Strong knowledge of heavy-duty vehicle systems including diesel, electrical, HVAC, brakes, and emissions systems.
Strong understanding of maintenance KPIs and performance management.
Knowledge of labor agreements and workforce management in a union environment.
Proficient in maintenance systems, reporting tools, and standard office software.
Ability to lead and manage through supervisors across multiple shifts.
Strong leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work independently.

Nice To Haves

Three (3) years of experience managing supervisors or leading a large maintenance operation preferred.

Responsibilities

Provides overall leadership and management of the assigned garage across all shifts through direct oversight of garage supervisors,
Directly supervises all supervisors assigned to the garage and is responsible for employee performance, coaching, discipline, and development.
Ensures safe, reliable, and efficient fleet operations by maintaining accountability for vehicle availability, reliability, and readiness for daily service.
Oversees all maintenance activities including preventive maintenance, inspections, repairs, road calls, and campaign work.
Establishes and maintains alignment of staffing and workflow across shifts to maximize productivity and minimize vehicle downtime.
Monitors and drives performance of key metrics including road calls, MDBSC, PM compliance, overtime, absenteeism, and cost per mile.
Develops and implements corrective action plans to address performance gaps and improve operational efficiency.
Ensures compliance with all Company policies, labor agreements, and federal and state regulations including FTA and DOT requirements.
Manages garage budget, including labor, overtime, materials, and inventory control.
Oversees inventory management, ensuring proper stocking levels and cost control.
Maintains overall garage facility condition, including equipment, tools, and infrastructure, in coordination with support teams.
Conducts and oversees accident and incident investigations and ensures accurate and timely reporting.
Coordinates with Operations to ensure daily pullout readiness and service delivery requirements are met.
Builds effective communication and coordination between maintenance, operations, and other internal departments.
Promotes a culture of accountability, safety, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
Performs other duties as required.