Facilities Manager

The Facilities Manager at Alamance Foods will lead the facilities team to ensure the optimal operation, maintenance, and reliability of the plant’s infrastructure, systems, and equipment. This includes overseeing cooling tower systems, ammonia refrigeration, HVAC, and managing Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA) work orders. The role requires close collaboration with the Director of Engineering and Maintenance Manager to align facilities operations with production goals, compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives.

The ideal candidate will have experience managing a facilities crew, coordinating work order systems, and driving efficient, safe, and compliant facilities management practices within a food manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

1. Facilities Team Management

• Lead and supervise the facilities crew responsible for infrastructure maintenance, repairs, and CAPA work orders.
• Assign, prioritize, and track CAPA work orders using the CMMS system to ensure timely and effective completion.
• Conduct regular team meetings to review maintenance schedules, safety protocols, and operational goals.
• Train and develop team members, fostering a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.

2. Facilities Operations and CAPA Work Orders

• Oversee day-to-day operations of cooling towers, HVAC systems, ammonia refrigeration, and general facility infrastructure.
• Manage Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) work order system:
  • Track, analyze, and resolve recurring facility and equipment issues.
  • Report trends and root causes to leadership for long-term solutions.
  • Ensure CAPA actions align with compliance, production goals, and regulatory standards.
• Ensure all facilities maintenance and repair activities support uninterrupted production operations.

3. Cooling Systems and Environmental Controls

• Monitor and optimize cooling towers to maintain critical product and process temperatures (e.g., 34°F for production systems).
• Adjust operations dynamically to account for ambient temperature fluctuations and seasonal changes.
• Ensure ammonia refrigeration systems operate efficiently and safely, adhering to safety regulations (OSHA and PSM standards).
• Maintain and improve environmental controls, including HVAC systems, to meet quality and food safety standards.

4. Preventive and Predictive Maintenance

• Develop and implement a robust preventive and predictive maintenance plan for facility equipment and critical systems.
• Collaborate with the Maintenance Manager to align CAPA work orders and PM schedules, minimizing downtime.
• Use CMMS tools to manage work orders, schedules, and asset history for continuous performance improvement.
• Monitor equipment condition using predictive technologies (vibration analysis, thermography, etc.).

5. Compliance and Safety

• Ensure all facilities operations comply with OSHA, FDA, SQF, and PSM (Process Safety Management) standards.
• Maintain comprehensive records for CAPA work orders, inspections, permits, certifications, and audits.
• Conduct facility safety audits and risk assessments, implementing corrective actions for identified gaps.
• Champion safety protocols for ammonia refrigeration systems, cooling towers, and chemical handling.

6. Project and Budget Management

• Plan and execute facilities-related capital improvement projects, expansions, and infrastructure upgrades.
• Develop and manage the facilities department budget, including labor, utilities, repairs, and materials.
• Manage vendor and contractor relationships, ensuring cost-effectiveness and timely project completion.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Facilities Management, Engineering, or related field (preferred). Equivalent work experience will be considered.
• 5 years of experience managing facilities, including cooling systems, HVAC, and ammonia refrigeration in a food manufacturing environment.
• Experience managing facilities maintenance teams and CAPA work orders.

Skills and Competencies

• Proven leadership skills to manage a facilities crew and work order system efficiently.
• Strong understanding of cooling towers, ammonia systems, HVAC, water treatment, and utilities management.
• Ability to prioritize and resolve CAPA work orders while implementing sustainable solutions.
• Excellent knowledge of OSHA, FDA, SQF, and food safety compliance standards.
• Effective communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency with CMMS for managing CAPA and PM work orders.
• Familiarity with ammonia refrigeration systems and PSM standards.
• Strong data analysis skills to track work order trends and identify performance improvement areas.
• Experience with energy management and predictive maintenance technologies.