What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Heavy Equipment Maintenance Operations position at FlexTek?
Director of Heavy Equipment Maintenance Operations
Location: Eastern Ohio
ABOUT THE COMPANY
Our client is a leading integrated waste services operator with hauling, landfill, rail, and bulk transfer operations spanning the Northeast and Midwest. Built through strategic acquisitions of family-owned operators, many of whom remain part of the team, the company blends enterprise-scale resources with a privately held, family-business culture. Safety, environmental stewardship, and operational excellence drive every decision.
THE OPPORTUNITY
This is a senior leadership role with full strategic ownership of maintenance across landfill, rail, support, and bulk transfer operations. You'll build and execute preventive and predictive maintenance programs for a heavy fleet of compactors, dozers, loaders, excavators, and support equipment -- driving uptime, controlling cost-per-hour, and developing the maintenance team underneath you. The right candidate is a data-driven operator who leads from the shop floor, thinks in lifecycle costs, and holds the line on World Class Maintenance standards.
WHAT YOU'LL OWN
- Build and execute preventive and predictive maintenance programs for heavy equipment including compactors, dozers, loaders, excavators, top picks, and support vehicles
- Drive PM compliance (98% ), fleet availability (90% ), and breakdown reduction (under 10% of operational hours) across all landfill and transfer assets
- Own maintenance budgets, cost-per-hour metrics, and year-over-year cost improvement targets
- Lead daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance reporting -- tracking PM compliance, equipment availability, labor efficiency, and cost performance
- Collaborate directly with the VP of Landfill to align maintenance objectives with production goals and financial targets
- Oversee capital planning, rebuild-vs-replace analysis, and full lifecycle management for landfill, rail, and transfer assets
- Implement data-driven decision-making using fleet management systems and telematics (TMT, JDLink, CAT SIS, VisionLink) to optimize performance and minimize downtime
- Ensure compliance with DOT, OSHA, EPA, and RCRA regulations and maintain environmental readiness for all landfill operations
- Lead, train, and develop maintenance staff -- union and non-union -- fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and efficiency
- Manage vendor and OEM relationships to drive warranty recovery, parts availability, and cost savings
- Ensure all work practices follow the company's World Class Maintenance program with a strong focus on safety and environmental integrity
WHAT YOU BRING
- 10 years of maintenance management experience in landfill operations OR heavy equipment environments where 50% of the fleet was yellow iron (dozers, loaders, excavators, compactors)
- High school diploma required
- Proven experience managing both union and non-union maintenance workforces
- Track record of improving uptime, PM compliance, and safety performance at scale
- Strong budget management skills -- ability to analyze cost-per-hour data and drive continuous cost optimization
- Experience with fleet management systems and telematics (TMT, JDLink, CAT SIS, VisionLink or similar)
- Working knowledge of DOT, OSHA, EPA, and RCRA regulatory requirements
- Proficient in Microsoft Suite
- Well-organized leader who can manage multiple projects, priorities, and direct reports simultaneously
NICE TO HAVE
- CDL and/or equipment safety certifications
- Direct landfill maintenance experience
- Experience with capital planning and rebuild-vs-replace lifecycle analysis
- Familiarity with World Class Maintenance or similar structured maintenance programs
WHY THIS ROLE
- Senior-level seat with full strategic ownership of maintenance across landfill, rail, and transfer assets
- Enterprise-scale resources with a privately held, family-business culture
- Real investment in safety, equipment, and people development
- Growth-oriented platform with continued expansion through acquisition