Sr Maintenance Manager - Aurora, IL Stock Yards

US Foods; Aurora (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pre-tax spending accounts

Retirement benefits

Paid time off

Short-term disability

Long-term disability

Employee stock purchase plan

Life insurance

Annual incentive plan bonus

Job summary

US Foods is seeking an experienced maintenance leader to oversee production equipment maintenance and facility infrastructure at Stock Yards facilities. The role includes managing maintenance mechanics, coordinating vendors, and ensuring safety and environmental compliance.

The incumbent will lead preventive and corrective maintenance, develop capital plans, and support business continuity. Bilingual Spanish preferred; travel up to 10% across regional sites may be required.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in facility or maintenance leadership roles.
• Experience leading maintenance teams and operations.
• Proficiency with CMMS or similar systems.
• Knowledge of OSHA, EPA, USDA standards and audits.
• Strong communication and budgeting skills.

Responsibilities

• Direct maintenance operations for all production and facility systems including grinders and HVAC.
• Supervise maintenance staff and ensure preventive/corrective maintenance programs.
• Use CMMS to manage PM schedules, repairs, and performance data.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and document audits.
• Lead vendor and contractor coordination and contract oversight.
• Develop long-range capital maintenance and replacement plans with budgeting.
• Maintain readiness and respond to unplanned maintenance events.

Skills

Leadership

CMMS

Maintenance operations

Vendor management

Education

High school diploma or GED

Professional engineer or facility manager cert (preferred)

Tools

HVAC systems

Refrigeration

Job description

THE STOCK YARDS STORY

We’ve been providing chefs with expertly cut and portioned beef and pork for over 120 years, based on rigid meat-selection criteria, precise beef aging and expert trimming. Whatever your need, from white-linen presentation to casual family dining, our procurement experts will find the best-quality options that work for your budget and pack-size needs, carefully selected from our extensive meat assortment.

This role provides leadership and oversight of both production equipment maintenance and full-facility infrastructure operations. This includes managing maintenance mechanics, coordinating vendor and contractor services, overseeing capital improvement plans, and ensuring compliance with safety and environmental regulations. The role is responsible for ensuring operational readiness and supporting business continuity across the facility footprint.

This position supports standalone Stock Yards facilities, including Stock Yards Super Centers - the largest and most complex sites in the Stock Yards network.

Bilingual - Spanish - Preferred

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Direct maintenance operations for all production and facility systems, including grinders, Multivac machines, HVAC, ammonia refrigeration, and other mission-critical assets.
• Supervise and develop maintenance staff and ensure effective execution of preventive and corrective maintenance programs.
• Utilize a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) or equivalent platform to manage PM schedules, track repairs, and analyze performance data.
• Ensure regulatory compliance with OSHA, EPA, USDA, and other applicable standards, including documentation and routine audits.
• Lead vendor and contractor coordination, including performance management, COI documentation, and service contract oversight.
• Develop and execute long-range capital maintenance and replacement plans, including budgeting, forecasting, and justification.
• Maintain operational readiness through proactive equipment assessments and collaboration with production leadership.
• Respond to unplanned maintenance events with urgency to minimize downtime and impact to operations.
• Collaborate with Risk Management and insurance carriers to address audit findings and risk mitigation strategies.
• Oversee facility-wide infrastructure, including sanitation systems, office space, docks, and building grounds.
• Travel up to 10% to support consistency and alignment across regional or cross-site maintenance operations.

SUPERVISION

The incumbent is responsible for the direct supervision of maintenance technicians and mechanics responsible for the upkeep of production equipment refrigeration systems and facility infrastructure.

RELATIONSHIPS

The incumbent is required to interact with employees, customers, and vendors at all levels of responsibility throughout the company in a professional manner.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work is performed in a dynamic food production and warehouse facility that includes refrigerated and frozen environments. Temperatures range from 35°F to 45°F in refrigerated areas and can drop to -10°F in freezer zones.

The role requires frequent walking, standing, and exposure to industrial equipment, loud noise, and wet or slippery surfaces. The incumbent must be able to navigate tight mechanical spaces, climb ladders, and occasionally lift up to 50 pounds. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is required in designated areas.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 5 years of experience in facility or maintenance leadership roles
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills in managing maintenance teams
• Expert knowledge of production and facility equipment operations
• Proficiency in CMMS or similar maintenance tracking systems
• Working knowledge of HVAC, ammonia systems, and refrigeration
• Familiarity with environmental and safety regulations and documentation standards
• Demonstrated ability to build business cases for capital investments
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Competency in Microsoft Office and facility-related software platforms
• Occasional travel (up to 10%) is expected to support maintenance operations at other locations.

EDUCATION

• High School Diploma or GED required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Certification as a mechanic, professional engineer, or certified facility manager.

BENEFITS

• health insurance
• pre-tax spending accounts
• retirement benefits
• paid time off
• short-term disability
• long-term disability
• employee stock purchase plan
• life insurance
• annual incentive plan bonus and long-term incentive

US Foods is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities.

Compensation depends on relevant experience and/or education, specific skills, function, geographic location, and other factors as applicable by law (for example: state or local minimum wage thresholds). The expected base rate for this role is between $85,000 - $135,000. ***EOE– Race/Color/Religion/Sex/SexualOrientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Age/Genetic Information/Protected Veteran/Disability Status***.

US Foods is one of America’s great food companies and a leading foodservice distributor, partnering with approximately 300,000 restaurants and foodservice operators to help their businesses succeed. With 28,000 employees and more than 70 locations, US Foods provides its customers with a broad and innovative food offering and a comprehensive suite of e-commerce, technology and business solutions. US Foods is headquartered in Rosemont, Ill., and generates more than $28 billion in annual revenue. Visit www.usfoods.com to learn more.

US Foods may collect personal information from you in connection with the application process.

US Foods complies with the California Privacy Rights Act of 2020, and its policy may be found here.

US Foods, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

Know Your Rights Pay Transparency policy statement is available here.

If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the interview process or to perform essential job functions, please contact our US Foods Application Accommodation Line at 866-960-5886.

You will be prompted to leave a message. Please state the specifics of the assistance needed and your contact information. A member of our HR department will return your call within two business days.