Manager, DC Engineer

Big Lots, Inc.; Newnan (GA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Big Lots, Inc. seeks a Distribution Center Maintenance Manager to lead maintenance teams, oversee reliability initiatives, and manage budgets for material handling equipment and facility systems. The role focuses on reducing downtime, improving efficiency, and driving capital projects.

Applicants should have extensive experience with high-speed conveyors, automation, and CMMS, and be available for after-hours support. Strong leadership and cross-functional collaboration are essential.

Qualifications

• Four years of experience in engineering, industrial maintenance, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and technology.
• Five plus years of material handling equipment experience with high-speed conveyor systems.
• Experience supporting automated material handling systems and industrial equipment.
• Understanding of conveyor system controls (VFDs, PLCs and other electrical components).
• Available for after hours and weekend equipment downtime and emergency events at the distribution center.
• Working knowledge of OSHA regulations, electrical safety standards, and maintenance best practices.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Effective leadership, communication, and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs for distribution center equipment and facility systems.
• Monitor equipment performance using reliability metrics, CMMS, and maintenance analytics to minimize downtime.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, electrical safety, and other regulations.
• Develop and execute reliability strategies to improve equipment life cycle performance and reduce costs.
• Manage maintenance staff through hiring, training, performance management, and development.
• Support capital projects, equipment installations, and facility modifications from concept through implementation.
• Collaborate with Operations, Safety, IT, Supply Chain, and vendors to resolve equipment issues.

Skills

Leadership

Troubleshooting

Project management

Analytical

Communication

Collaboration

Tools

VFDs (conveyor controls)

PLCs

Job description

Directly supervises maintenance technicians and/or engineering support associates. Accountable for maintaining the material handling equipment, facility infrastructure, and associated technologies to maximize equipment availability and operational efficiency.

Manages maintenance budgets, vendor relationships, capital improvement projects, and reliability initiatives. Supports implementation of new equipment and process improvements across the Distribution Center.

Essential Functions

• Lead the preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs for distribution center equipment and facility systems, including conveyors, sortation systems, automated storage systems, lift equipment, and building infrastructure.
• Monitor equipment performance using reliability metrics, root cause analysis, CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System), and maintenance analytics to minimize downtime and improve system availability.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, OSHA regulations, environmental requirements, electrical standards, lockout/tagout procedures, pest control and other applicable safety regulations.
• Develop and execute reliability strategies that improve equipment life cycle performance, reduce maintenance costs, and increase operational efficiency.
• Manage maintenance technicians through hiring, training, performance management, coaching, succession planning, and employee development activities.
• Make recommendations for equipment operational improvements and reduce equipment operating costs.
• Support capital projects, equipment installations, automation upgrades, and facility modifications from concept through implementation.
• Partner with Operations, Safety, IT, Supply Chain, and external vendors to resolve equipment issues and support business objectives.
• Analyze maintenance trends, downtime reports, and operational data to identify opportunities for continuous improvement and increased productivity.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures, engineering documentation, preventive maintenance schedules, and equipment specifications.
• Manage maintenance-related budgets, inventory controls, spare parts programs, and vendor service agreements.
• Support emergency response activities and provide technical leadership during equipment failures or operational disruptions.

Qualifications

• Four years of experience in engineering, industrial maintenance, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and technology.

• Five plus years of material Handling equipment experience with high-speed conveyor systems. In addition, experience with all types of power equipment used in a distribution center environment.

• Experience supporting automated material handling systems and industrial equipment.

• Understanding of conveyor system controls (VFD's, PLC's and other electrical components).

• Available for after hours and weekend equipment downtime and emergency events at the distribution center.
• Working knowledge of OSHA regulations, electrical safety standards, and maintenance best practices.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Effective leadership, communication, and collaboration skills.