Manager, Fleet & Facility Operations

US Foods•Plainfield, IL

1d•$75,000 - $120,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Manager, Fleet & Facility Operations is responsible for the safe, efficient, and compliant operation of fleet maintenance and distribution-center facilities, including maintenance and repair, sanitation, groundskeeping, office space, security, power industrial equipment, refrigeration, and vendor services. The role ensures proactive preventative maintenance and rapid issue resolution for company-owned equipment and facilities, including refrigeration systems and vehicles, to maintain regulatory compliance and operational readiness. The manager leads and develops fleet and facilities operations and maintenance staff, optimizes workflows using CMMS and automation technologies, partners with third-party providers, and implements sustainability initiatives that reduce energy consumption, extend asset life, and support corporate environmental goals. This role helps maintain a safe workplace, protect product quality, and enable uninterrupted customer service. Initial onboarding and training will take place at the Aurora, Illinois distribution center. The position will be based at the Plainfield, Illinois distribution center. The manager directly supervises maintenance and sanitation staff, including maintenance and fleet technicians, with approximately 2–10 direct reports depending on distribution-center size. The role collaborates with internal operations, warehouse, transportation, safety, quality assurance, sanitation, and HR teams, as well as distribution-center and corporate facilities/fleet leadership. It also manages external service providers and serves as a regulatory-agency contact during inspections and compliance audits. The work environment includes time on the road in a truck, in an office using a computer, and inside and outside a distribution center in varied climates, including warehouse temperatures that may reach -5 degrees. Flexible hours, including nights, weekends, and on-call availability, may be needed to support 24/7 operations and emergencies. The position includes occasional standing, walking, driving, sitting, lifting and carrying loads up to 100 pounds, and other physical activities; lifting or carrying more than 100 pounds is never required. The expected base rate is $75,000–$120,000. Compensation depends on relevant experience and/or education, skills, function, geographic location, and other applicable factors.

Requirements

At least 5 years of facilities management experience.
At least 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 computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) 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, including Excel, Outlook, and Teams.
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 applicable building, life-safety, and fire-protection standards and codes.
Bachelor’s degree in Facility Operations, Engineering, Construction, or a related field, or equivalent relevant work experience.
Thermo King and Major certification.
For ammonia sites, Level 1 Ammonia Operator Certification, or ability to complete it within the first 12 months of hire.
For ammonia sites, PSM/RMP Certification, or ability to complete it within the first 12 months of hire.
For ammonia sites, PSM tracking tool training to be completed within 12 months of hire.
CMMS training to be completed within 6 months of hire.
Refrigeration/HVAC certificates, licenses, and registrations, if applicable.
Valid driver’s license with a motor vehicle record in good standing and ability to travel between sites if required.

Nice To Haves

At least 5 years of facilities management experience in food distribution, manufacturing, or other temperature-controlled, high-volume environments.
At least 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, including energy reduction, waste minimization, water conservation, or 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 for Freon sites.
Powered Industrial Equipment Certification.
Certificate in a fleet trade or mechanic qualification.
State Inspections License.
Class A or B commercial driver license.

Responsibilities

Direct and monitor associates responsible for building, grounds, sanitation, refrigeration, power industrial equipment, and security maintenance using tracking software and preventative-maintenance schedules; ensure adherence to Preferred Work Methods and promote a safety-first culture.
Oversee refrigeration system operations, monitoring, and maintenance; partner with Quality Assurance and Food Safety to protect perishable products, maintain cold-chain integrity, and respond to temperature excursions or equipment failures.
Manage and assign facility operations work and capital projects, ensuring timely, high-quality completion while minimizing impact on distribution operations; coordinate repairs, upgrades, and equipment installations with other departments.
Promote a culture in which associates remain injury-free; interpret, train on, and enforce company policies and procedures.
Recruit, train, coach, and evaluate staff; administer discipline when needed; maintain associate relations through communication and meetings; manage labor hours within budget and prepare schedules, including overtime as required.
Prioritize daily work and long-term projects, manage competing deadlines, and work with minimal supervision.
Establish and maintain relationships with third-party vendors, including utilities, refrigeration contractors, janitorial, pest-control, and security providers; verify required compliance documents, including certificates of insurance and hold-harmless agreements.
Oversee selection, purchasing, utilization, and inventory of company assets such as racking, material-handling equipment, refrigeration units, fuel, and shop equipment; monitor asset life cycles, recommend replacements or upgrades, file warranty claims, recover warranty dollars, and develop the yearly budget.
Partner with QA and sanitation teams to meet USDA, FDA, and GMP food-safety requirements; maintain facility cleanliness and inspect sanitation, pest-control, and allergen-management programs.
Ensure company vehicles are in proper working condition by performing or overseeing maintenance, providing required documentation and certifications, and following manufacturers' service recommendations.
Help drivers operate specialized equipment and troubleshoot issues; arrange qualified repair services for downed vehicles and obtain competitive repair bids.
Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, including OSHA, EPA, USDA, DOT, and Tax Commission requirements; conduct internal audits and maintain inspection, food-safety, EPSM, PSM, ammonia-refrigeration-safety, and fire-protection documentation.
Partner with the Safety Department to deliver training, conduct safety observations, investigate accidents, and update Preferred Work Methods; lead emergency-response planning and crisis management and liaise with local emergency-management agencies.
Coordinate with warehouse and transportation teams to ensure facility infrastructure supports high-volume receiving, storage, and shipping without delays or product compromise.
Perform other duties as assigned by the manager.