Sr. Maintenance COE Manager

Kroger•Cincinnati, OH

About The Position

The Maintenance Sr. Center of Excellence Manager plays a critical leadership role in driving operational excellence across corporate maintenance functions. This position oversees the corporate dispatch department, ensuring timely and effective responses to maintenance needs through the implementation of advanced dispatch technologies and performance metrics. The manager is responsible for developing and enforcing standardized maintenance practices across all facilities, including interior and exterior environments and fresh departments such as refrigeration, food safety, and sanitation. Regular audits and cross-functional collaboration help maintain compliance and continuous improvement. Additionally, the role manages the corporate training center for maintenance technicians, overseeing onboarding, upskilling, and certification programs to promote a culture of continuous learning. A key focus of the position is technician safety, where the manager leads initiatives to implement safety protocols, monitor performance, and reduce risk across all maintenance operations. Demonstrate the company’s core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion, and safety.

Requirements

Strong knowledge of lighting, refrigeration, HVAC, and building envelope standards
Strong knowledge of dispatch operations, maintenance systems, and safety regulations.
Proven experience in developing and implementing standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Excellent leadership, communication, and project management skills.
Proficiency in CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management Systems), dispatch software, and Microsoft Office Suite.
Demonstrated sound business judgment and the ability to work successfully with all levels of professionals, backgrounds, and perspectives
Ability to manage multiple departments and simultaneous projects, as well as effectively delegate work
Strong financial skills
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Able to climb ladders and stairs
Must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction, or comparable related field experience
7+ years of experience in maintenance leadership, with at least 3 years in a corporate or multi-site role
Maintenance Manager
Facility Engineering Manager
Construction Manager

Responsibilities

Lead and optimize the corporate dispatch department to ensure timely and effective response to maintenance needs across all locations.
Implement dispatch technologies and KPIs to improve service levels and operational efficiency.
Coordinate with regional and local teams to align dispatch priorities with business needs.
Develop and enforce corporate maintenance standards for interior conditions, exterior environments, and all fresh departments (e.g., refrigeration, food safety, sanitation).
Conduct regular audits and assessments to ensure compliance with standards and identify areas for improvement.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g., operations, safety, compliance) to align maintenance practices with broader organizational goals.
Manage the corporate training center for maintenance technicians, ensuring the curriculum is up to date with industry best practices and regulatory requirements.
Oversee onboarding, upskilling, and certification programs for technicians.
Promote a culture of continuous learning and professional development.
Champion technician safety across all maintenance operations.
Develop and implement safety protocols, training, and incident response procedures.
Monitor safety performance metrics and lead initiatives to reduce risk and improve workplace safety.
Supervise and coach direct reports in the performance of their duties; complete performance reviews and provide feedback to direct reports.
Travel independently up to 50%.