Snow & Maintenance Operations Manager

SSc2; Des Moines (IA); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Simple IRA with 3% company match

Paid time off

Company vehicle potential

Equal Opportunity Employer

Job summary

Sustainable Sites in Des Moines, IA, is seeking an experienced Snow & Maintenance Operations Manager to own winter snow and ice response, seasonal grounds maintenance, and daily field operations across a large multi-crew service area. You will lead field teams, manage budgets and equipment, and ensure client satisfaction with data-driven improvements.

You will direct scheduling, dispatch, and software use, shaping safety, quality, and profitability while reporting to ownership and

Qualifications

• Significant leadership experience in snow, landscape, grounds maintenance, construction, logistics, or related operations.
• Experience leading large teams across multiple crews or locations.
• Strong organizational and communication skills, and comfort with scheduling and dispatch software.
• Budget management and cost-control experience.
• Experience managing fleet and equipment programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead field operations and direct a large seasonal workforce across a multi-crew service area.
• Manage budgets, equipment fleets, and client relationships to ensure service quality.
• Develop systems to improve efficiency, quality, and profitability.
• Oversee scheduling, dispatch, and use of operations software and Microsoft 365.
• Build a culture of accountability, ownership, and professionalism.
• Recruit, hire, train, and retain top-performing employees and foremen.

Skills

Leadership

Operations Management

Budgeting

Scheduling & Dispatch

Fleet Management

Safety & Compliance

Team Development

Tools

Microsoft 365

Operations management software

Fleet maintenance software

Job description

At Sustainable Sites, we believe exceptional operations are built by exceptional leaders.

We're searching for a proven operations professional who wants more than just another management job. This is an opportunity to take ownership of a growing snow and maintenance operation, lead a large workforce, influence company strategy, and drive the performance of an entire business unit.

If you're the type of leader who naturally takes responsibility, thrives under pressure, enjoys solving problems, and wants the freedom to make decisions without layers of bureaucracy, this role was designed for you.

You'll report directly to ownership and be trusted to lead people, improve systems, build accountability, and help shape the future of the company. The right person won't be looking for someone to tell them what to do. They'll be looking for the opportunity to prove what they're capable of.

About Sustainable Sites

Sustainable Sites delivers commercial snow & ice management and year-round grounds maintenance services for commercial, HOA, municipal, healthcare, and retail properties throughout the greater Des Moines area. We also provide landscape services, irrigation, and seasonal property care, using sustainable landscape practices in our grounds work.

Our clients depend on reliable service and strong communication year-round. We have built our reputation through hard work, accountability, responsiveness, and a commitment to doing what we say we'll do.

We're growing, investing in our people and equipment, and building a leadership team capable of taking the organization to the next level.

About the Role

We're seeking an experienced Snow & Maintenance Operations Manager to lead winter snow and ice response, seasonal grounds maintenance, and daily field operations across a large multi-crew service area. You'll oversee a growing portfolio and workforce through our intentional regional growth.

This is not a desk job. This is not a coordinator position. This is not a role for someone who simply manages schedules and fills out paperwork.

You will lead field operations, direct a large seasonal workforce, manage substantial equipment and fleet assets, oversee budgets, maintain client relationships, and ensure service quality. Most importantly, you'll have the authority to make decisions and the expectation to own the results.

Success in this role requires leadership, operational discipline, financial awareness, and the ability to make sound decisions when stakes are high and conditions are changing quickly. Whether you're directing a snow response at 2:00 a.m. or managing peak summer production, you'll be the person the company relies on to keep operations moving.

What You'll Be Responsible For

Snow & Ice Operations

Serve as the primary decision-maker during winter storm events

Monitor weather conditions, forecasts, staffing levels, and equipment readiness

Coordinate response strategies and route execution

Manage snow subcontractors and service partners: set clear service expectations and hold them accountable to our standards

Maintain operational readiness before, during, and after storms

Grounds & Landscape Operations

Direct year-round grounds maintenance, including mowing, irrigation, fertilization, landscape bed maintenance, shrub and tree care, seasonal flower décor, aeration, leaf cleanup, and holiday lights

Apply our sustainable landscape practices

Establish operational priorities and hold teams accountable for execution

Develop systems and processes that improve efficiency, quality, and profitability

Monitor performance metrics and continuously improve operational results

Scheduling, Software & Dispatch

Build and manage crew schedules, routes, and daily assignments across snow and maintenance work

Use industry-specific operations management software and the Microsoft 365 suite, alongside direct phone and radio communication, to keep crews, materials, equipment, and subcontractors deployed where they're needed

Use software data and reporting to track labor, service completion, and performance

Lead and manage a team of 50+ employees, plus snow subcontractors during the winter season

Build a culture of accountability, ownership, and professionalism

Recruit, hire, train, and retain top-performing employees

Develop future crew leaders and foremen, and meet weekly with foremen to review team goals and standards

Conduct regular performance reviews and performance improvement efforts

Create clear expectations, maintain high standards, and recognize results through our performance-based incentive program

Fleet, Equipment & Asset Management

Oversee the company's fleet of trucks, snow equipment, mowers, and support equipment

Develop maintenance plans and replacement strategies

Manage equipment budgets and capital planning

Ensure operational readiness in every season

Build strong vendor and supplier relationships

Own operational budgets and profitability

Manage labor, materials, fuel, equipment, and subcontractor costs

Identify efficiencies that improve margins without sacrificing quality

Support annual planning and growth initiatives

Understand how day-to-day decisions impact overall company performance

Client Relationships

Serve as a trusted operational resource for key clients

Resolve challenges quickly and professionally

Ensure service commitments are consistently delivered

Strengthen long-term client relationships through accountability and communication

Safety & Compliance

Champion a culture where safety is a core value

Lead training, accountability, and continuous improvement efforts

Ensure compliance with DOT and regulatory requirements

Investigate incidents, implement corrective actions, and serve as the liaison for insurance claims

Protect employees, clients, and company assets

What Success Looks Like

Within your first year, you will:

Build trust throughout the organization

Improve accountability across crews and field leadership

Increase operational efficiency and service consistency

Improve retention of key employees

Enhance client satisfaction

Help position the company for sustained growth

What We're Looking For

We're not necessarily looking for someone with a specific degree. We're looking for a leader with a track record of ownership, accountability, and results. The ideal candidate will bring:

Significant leadership experience in snow, landscape, grounds maintenance, construction, logistics, or a related operational environment

Experience leading large teams across multiple crews or locations

Strong organizational and communication skills, and comfort working with scheduling and dispatch software

Budget management and cost-control experience

Experience managing fleet and equipment programs

The ability to solve problems without waiting for direction

Confidence making decisions in fast-moving situations

A commitment to developing people and building high-performing teams

A valid driver's license

Why This Role Is Different

Many operations jobs offer responsibility without authority. This role offers both.

You will work directly with ownership, have a meaningful voice in major decisions, and help shape the future direction of the company. You'll be given clear expectations, the resources to succeed, and the freedom to lead. For the right person, this isn't simply the next job. It's an opportunity to build something, leave a mark, and take ownership of a growing operation that matters.

Working Conditions & Schedule

This is a physically active, outdoor role. Expect extended time outdoors in all seasons, physical tasks (lifting, walking uneven or icy surfaces), and long, irregular hours during active winter storm events.

Full-time, year-round. Standard hours most of the year; 24/7 on-call availability is required during active winter storm events, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Competitive salary based on experience

Performance-based incentive opportunity

Simple IRA with 3% company match

Paid time off

Company vehicle potential

Sustainable Sites is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a team of leaders who value integrity, accountability, hard work, and exceptional service.