Sr. Manager - Facilities & Automation Management

Overview

As the Sr. Facilities & Automation Maintenance Manager, you will be a strategic leader responsible for overseeing complex maintenance operations across multiple ShipMonk operated fulfillment centers. The primary mission is to ensure all buildings and automation systems remain fully operational and efficient. This includes leading a team of dedicated Maintenance Technicians, shifting the culture towards proactive mechanisms supporting our next phase of growth, data-driven maintenance, and ensuring a safe, functional working environment for all team members. You will be a proactive, engineering-minded leader with a keen eye for anticipating maintenance needs, driving automation strategy, and quickly addressing operational concerns with systemic solutions and mechanisms.

What You'll Do

Strategic Leadership & Team Development:

• Manage maintenance operations across multiple buildings, each supported by in-house maintenance technicians.
• Lead, monitor the performance, and coach the maintenance team, developing their troubleshooting skills to move beyond basic part replacement. Act as the first line of defense for complex issues, teaching technicians to use data and diagnostic tools to identify root causes.
• Ensure each building is adequately staffed and properly equipped to meet operational needs, with a focus on future-proofing skills for robotics and automation.

Systemic Process Improvement & Reporting:

• Develop and implement systemic maintenance reporting and escalation protocols. Ensure clear visibility into equipment status, severity levels, and resolution timelines to prevent unexpected downtime.
• Oversee maintenance ticketing systems to track and resolve issues efficiently. Lead by example in keeping open lines of communication with operations stakeholders regarding open issues.
• Implement Standard Work procedures for maintenance technicians to ensure consistency and accountability across all sites.

Automation & Equipment Management:

• Ensure the smooth, ongoing operation of all facilities in the region, prioritizing safety and efficiency. Partner with LP & Safety department on policy development and ensuring adherence to OSHA and safety regulations.
• Perform and monitor preventive maintenance on Powered Industrial Trucks (PITs), advanced conveyor systems, and future automation equipment/robotics.
• Implement a predictive maintenance strategy, leveraging data analysis to identify and escalate potential issues before they affect operations. Take ownership over ensuring the facilities and equipment are supporting shared operational goals.

Financial Management & Project Planning:

• Manage the financial side of maintenance operations, ensuring accountability for spending and tracking expenditures against the region’s maintenance budget.
• Manage vendor relationships, standard of work, and negotiate contracts for cost efficiency and quality. 
• Develop and manage the annual budget for the region's maintenance operations.

Compliance & Availability:

• Ensure the timely and accurate completion of facility inspections and maintenance reports.
• Be available after hours to address emergencies and provide support to the facilities.
• Communicate vertically with senior leadership and other departments to ensure alignment on goals and objectives.

What You'll Need

• Required: A Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, or Industrial), Facilities Management, Construction Management, or a related technical/business field.
• Alternatively, demonstrable equivalent experience (10+ years of progressive leadership experience in facilities/maintenance in complex industrial environments) may be considered, but a degree is strongly preferred to ensure a solid foundation in engineering and management principles.
• Certifications:
• Relevant professional certifications are highly valued, such as a Certified Facility Manager (CFM) or Facility Management Professional (FMP) certification from the International Facility Management Association (IFMA).
• Proven experience in managing maintenance teams across multiple locations with an emphasis on coaching and skill development.
• Strong, engineering-minded familiarity with both electrical and mechanical sides of automation, particularly with complex conveyor systems, PLCs, and a vision for integrating future robotics.
• Knowledge of and experience working with PIT PMs, conveyor system PMs, and ticketing systems like Limble.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing systemic reporting mechanisms and structured escalation protocols.
• Strong financial management skills, including the ability to manage budgets, negotiate vendor contracts, control costs, and track maintenance spending.
• Excellent communication skills, with a strong focus on vertical communication to senior leadership.
• Partner effectively and in timely manner with cross-functional teams, including ops, IT, inventory, transportation, etc
• The ability to anticipate maintenance issues using data analysis and address them proactively through systemic fixes, not just quick patches.
• A "Builder" mentality and a "Change the Score" leader. A desire to build mechanisms from scratch and elevate the skill level of the entire department.
• 50% travel flexibility required, with availability to visit regional facilities as needed.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to make critical decisions under pressure in a fast-paced environment.