Senior Facilities Specialist

Oil--dri-Corporation-of-Americ; Vernon Hills (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with 6% company match

Paid parental leave

Generous PTO & paid holidays

Work-life balance

Career growth with exposure to senior‑

Job summary

Oil-Dri Corporation of America is seeking a Senior Facilities Specialist to oversee the Vernon Hills Innovation Campus, including the Innovation Center, Pilot Plant, and Microbiology Lab. You will ensure a safe work environment, manage facilities projects, and coordinate with contractors.

The role is onsite at Vernon Hills, IL, with Monday–Friday work expectations and opportunities to lead long-term planning, renovations, and cost-reduction initiatives across locations.

Qualifications

• 3+ years experience in facilities management, building operations, maintenance, or related field.
• Strong knowledge of HVAC, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, building automation, and other facility systems.
• Bachelor’s or technical degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee maintenance for R&D Innovation Campus in Vernon Hills.
• Plan and schedule preventive maintenance for building systems.
• Coordinate with external contractors and service providers.
• Manage budgets and spending on contracts and equipment.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.

Skills

Facilities management

Vendor management

Project coordination

Communication

Budgeting

Supervisory skills

MS Office

Education

Bachelor’s or technical degree preferred

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Role Overview

The Innovation Center Senior Facilities Specialist will be the main point of contact responsible for facilities management at the R&D Innovation Campus that comprises the Innovation Center, Pilot Plant and Microbiology Lab. This role will coordinate and manage business facility related requirements, while being responsible for ensuring a safe and healthy work environment for teammates, supporting the development of policy and procedures, managing projects, leading the planning and improving workspaces, responding to emergencies, engaging in long-term strategic planning for the office, managing renovations and lead execution of facilities related projects that impact all locations in Vernon Hills.

Onsite role based at Innovation Campus (Vernon Hills, IL). Monday - Friday required

Regular in-person attendance consistent with the Company's established work schedule is an essential function of this position to facilitate effective collaboration, communication, and business operations.

Key Responsibilities

Oversee and manage the overall maintenance (buildings and grounds) for R&D Innovation Campus in Vernon Hills.

• Plan and schedule routine preventative maintenance on all building support systems, such as HVAC, Alarms and security systems, fire control systems, lighting systems, plumbing systems, building structures, pest control and electrical systems. Maintain multiple emergency power generators.
• Coordinate/conduct facility maintenance and repairs to minimize operational disruptions, maintain related building logs and maintenance records, and provide updates to management team on status of facility.
• Contract and coordinate with all external contractors, service providers, and suppliers, such as electrical and natural gas energy, while ensuring best value for Oil Dri resources.
• Coordinate the maintenance of landscaping and grounds, including snow removal services, for all locations.
• Responsible for managing budget and spending on contracts, services, equipment, materials and supplies. Proactively, identify opportunities to leverage business and reduce costs without compromising on quality.
• Audit and maintain inventories of general supplies and equipment.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, such as FLSA, OSHA, ADA, etc. and partner with the Site Safety Committee and R&D Management team to ensure alignment with Oil Dri policies and procedures.

Facilities Improvement

• Develop and implement innovative programs, processes and procedures that reduce short- and long-term operating costs and increase productivity without sacrificing results.
• Develop, implement, and sustain a system of ownership and accountability for housekeeping to maintain standards across the lab and all community areas.

Qualifications

Education & Experience:

• 3 years plus experience in some form of facilities management, building operations, maintenance, or related field.
• Strong knowledge of HVAC, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, building automation, and other facility systems.
• Bachelor’s or technical degree preferred.

Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated organizational, planning, and management capabilities, with the ability to coordinate multiple priorities effectively.
• Strong interpersonal. supervisory and vendor management skills.
• Knowledge of repairs and maintenance to mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficient in MS Office and general computer proficiency.
• Overseeing multiple facilities with different operational needs and facility requirements.
• Supervising vendor performance during normal and off hours including weekends when necessary.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitivepay($60,000 - $78,000)+annualbonus
• 401(k)with6%companymatch
• Paidparentalleave,generousPTO,&paidholidays
• Work-lifebalance
• Careergrowthwithexposuretoseniorleadership.
• Annualmeritincreaseopportunity
• Fitness&GymReimbursement
• EmployerContribution-Health,Dental

About Us

Oil-Dri Corporation of America is a leading manufacturer and supplier of specialty sorbent products for consumer and business-to-business markets that has been voted as a Top 100 workplaces in the Chicago Tribune. Oil-Dri’s products are sold in the pet care, animal health, fluids purification, agricultural, sports field, industrial and automotive markets. Oil-Dri controls millions of tons of specialty mineral reserves, including calcium bentonite, attapulgite, and diatomaceous shale. The company’s mines and manufacturing facilities are located in Georgia, Mississippi, Illinois, and California. Oil-Dri is a family-controlled and operated organization that emphasizes honesty, integrity, and accountability. The company is dedicated to fulfilling its mission to Create Value From Sorbent Minerals.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Oil-Dri is committed to providing equal opportunity for all teammates and qualified candidates without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, mental or physical disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Accordingly, all employment decisions and personnel actions or programs such as hiring, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, transfers, reductions in workforce, and training, etc. will be consistent with the principle of equal employment opportunity.