Facilities & Maintenance Manager

Facilities & Maintenance Manager

For more than 40 years, Blue Plate Catering has been creating memorable food and service experiences throughout Chicago. With nearly 500 employees across venues, kitchens, and offices, we live our core value every day : We Care More for our clients, our community, and for each other.

Position Summary :

We are seeking a hands-on, solutions-driven Facilities & Maintenance Manager to lead the care, safety, and efficiency of our venue, kitchens, office spaces and overall facility. This role is ideal for someone who thrives on varietyone day you might be managing a preventative maintenance program or coordinating vendors for HVAC service, and the next you could be troubleshooting an urgent repair.

The right candidate will have experience maintaining commercial, hospitality, or foodservice facilitieswhether in restaurants, hotels, event venues, or property managementand enjoys rolling up their sleeves while also managing contractors, budgets, and long-term facility planning. You'll serve as the go-to expert and single point of contact for all repair and maintenance needs, while also playing a strategic role in keeping our operations running safely, smoothly, and cost-effectively.

Essential Functions :

Proactively managing all issues in relation to site occupational health & safety to minimize accidents and lost time.

Informing the General Manager on the progress of the work on all significant matters relating to or arising from the tasks and functions under your control.

Public agency documentation; including state elevator inspections, city backflows and alarm inspection certifications.

Prepare and communicate emergency preparedness plans, site inspections, facility audits, work order progress reports, and other related reports

Perform daily and emergency repair and general maintenance (including but not limited to carpentry, plumbing, grease removal, cleaning and minor electrical work) of facilities and equipment (including but not limited to hot equipment, refrigeration units, compressors, fans, coils, various small parts, burners, pilots, handles, etc.) at assigned restaurant and / or office locations and make related purchases

In-house preventive maintenance practices for refrigeration. Including compressor fin cleaning and proper ventilation and manager education.

Comprehensive drain maintenance (proper screens and cleaning schedules)

Regular scheduled maintenance to improve appearance and lifespan of materials (examples upholstery, tile and stone sealing etc.)

Sewer line maintenance publish best management practices to minimize grease buildup in sewer line, establish and follow-through regular scheduled line jetting schedule.

Water Heater and all related items care and preventative maintenance

Proactive education and procedures to reduce repair, maintenance and operating costs

Cleaning procedures for different materials and finishes to reduce damage and increase lifespan

Fire sprinkler systems, dry chemical fire suppression, elevators, hood and duct cleaning, grease interception servicing, pest control, roof cleaning, window washing, carpet cleaning, and HVAC.

Forecast upcoming large repairs (example : complete roof replacement vs repair)

Through observations of routine site tours, observe and document unsafe conditions or required corrections in the venues & office space. Including slippery floors, sidewalk conditions, emergency lighting, exit lighting, exterior site lighting, stair repairs, interior lighting, carpet repairs etc.

Publish best practices for cleaning floors to ensure the longevity of our floors and to reduce slip and falls

Negotiates and maintains all service contracts and provides QA for all scheduled services (HVAC / refrigeration, exhaust hood cleaning, fire suppression systems, grease trap maintenance, etc.).

Manages company-defined Facility and Capital Projects (project organization, budgeting, scheduling, implementation, and completion)

Ensures facility procedures comply with local, state, and federal regulations

Maintain preventative maintenance checklist logs and report on daily activities.

Detect & report unsafe conditions, broken or malfunctioning equipment.

Be the single point of contact aggregating and solving all repair & maintenance requests

Able to replace / clean air conditioner filters, coils, and condensate drains.

Plumbing repairs of leaks, clogs in toilets, sinks, drains and water heaters.

Electrical maintenance of lighting, switches, fans, signage, general electrical wiring, and diagnostics.

Requirements :

High school diploma required; bachelor's degree in facility management or related field preferred

Minimum of three years of experience in facility management, operations or project management required

Essential Qualifications :

Ability to demonstrate strong affinity for Blue Plate's mission : Our mission is to "care more" for others through food and service experiences that turn our partner's vision into reality.

Ability to identify and resolve issues and alert leadership when needed.

Ability to function independently and intuitively in a fast-paced environment.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to prepare and deliver clear, concise reports and presentations that are understandable by the target audience.

Highly organized with strong attention to detail.

Demonstrated initiative; results oriented Strong project management experience and ability to manage on-going multiple priorities.

Ability to interact with diverse groups and foster a cooperative work environment.

Ability to manage confidential information and maintain its integrity.

Strong computer skills that include proficiency with MS Office and Google applications

Proficiency in restaurant equipment repairs preferred Comply with all safety and quality requirements while performing your job. Provide innovative solutions to help resolve on-going breakdowns.

Language Skills :

Ability to read, write and speak English proficiently. Bilingual skills preferred.

Physical Demands :

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear

Frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to feel; reach with hand and arms, and stoop, kneel or crouch; constant standing throughout shift is required

The employee must regularly lift and / or move up to 50 pounds

Specific vision requirements include the ability to see at close range, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus

At times, may require more than 40 hours per week to perform the essential duties of the position

Work Environment :

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time.

May work in extreme heat and cold (non-weather and weather)

May work in wet conditions (non-weather and weather)

Noise level is moderate to loud

May work near toxic / caustic chemical and with fumes or airborne particles

Will work near moving or mechanical parts

Compensation and Benefits :

Salary : $80,000

At Blue Plate Catering, we live our core value : We Care More. Our comprehensive benefits package reflects our commitment to supporting our team's well-being and growth. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k)-retirement plan, and paid time off (PTO) with sick leave. Additional benefits such as commuter benefits, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), free meals, and pet insurance options ensure our team feels valued. We also offer wellness rewards, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and resources to help you thrive in work and life.

Blue Plate Catering complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment, including protections related to race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, or pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.