Kinnickinnic Garage - Garage Manager

Job Bulletin No.: 786

Job Title: Garage Manager

Department: Maintenance – Kinnickinnic Garage

FLSA Status: Exempt - Non-Represented

Reports To: Assistant Director of Maintenance

Salary Range: $82,500 - $103,167

Job Summary

The Garage Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and performance of the assigned maintenance garage. This position has full accountability for all garage operations across all shifts, including fleet maintenance, facility condition, workforce management, safety, and operational performance.

The Garage Manager directly supervises all supervisors assigned to the garage and ensures alignment of staffing, workflows and resources to support safe, reliable, and efficient transit service. This role partners closely with Operations and other internal departments to ensure daily service delivery and long-term performance improvement.

Essential Functions

• Provides overall leadership and management of the assigned garage across all shifts through direct oversight of garage supervisors,
• Directly supervises all supervisors assigned to the garage and is responsible for employee performance, coaching, discipline, and development.
• Ensures safe, reliable, and efficient fleet operations by maintaining accountability for vehicle availability, reliability, and readiness for daily service.
• Oversees all maintenance activities including preventive maintenance, inspections, repairs, road calls, and campaign work.
• Establishes and maintains alignment of staffing and workflow across shifts to maximize productivity and minimize vehicle downtime.
• Monitors and drives performance of key metrics including road calls, MDBSC, PM compliance, overtime, absenteeism, and cost per mile.
• Develops and implements corrective action plans to address performance gaps and improve operational efficiency.
• Ensures compliance with all Company policies, labor agreements, and federal and state regulations including FTA and DOT requirements.
• Manages garage budget, including labor, overtime, materials, and inventory control.
• Oversees inventory management, ensuring proper stocking levels and cost control.
• Maintains overall garage facility condition, including equipment, tools, and infrastructure, in coordination with support teams.
• Conducts and oversees accident and incident investigations and ensures accurate and timely reporting.
• Coordinates with Operations to ensure daily pullout readiness and service delivery requirements are met.
• Builds effective communication and coordination between maintenance, operations, and other internal departments.
• Promotes a culture of accountability, safety, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Performs other duties as required.
  
  

Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree in Automotive Technology, Diesel Technology, or related field; equivalent experience may be considered in lieu of education.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in heavy-duty vehicle or transit maintenance.
• Three (3) years of experience managing supervisors or leading a large maintenance operation preferred.
• Experience working in a unionized environment required.
• Valid Class D Wisconsin non-probationary driver’s license required.
• Must obtain valid Class B CDL License with Passenger Endorsement and no Air Brake restriction (or valid CDL permit) within 6 months of employment.
• Must pass all required pre-employment screenings.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and State Department of Transportation (DOT) rules and regulations.
• Strong knowledge of heavy-duty vehicle systems including diesel, electrical, HVAC, brakes, and emissions systems.
• Strong understanding of maintenance KPIs and performance management.
• Knowledge of labor agreements and workforce management in a union environment.
• Proficient in maintenance systems, reporting tools, and standard office software.
• Ability to lead and manage through supervisors across multiple shifts.
• Strong leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently.
  
  

Physical Requirements And Environmental Factors

• Work is frequently conducted in an office, shop environment or garage. The incumbent may be exposed to extreme temperatures, moving mechanical parts, fumes and loud noises.
• Physical requirements are those described as light work exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly having to move objects.
  
  

Disclaimer Statement

The above are general requirements that must be met for consideration. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of job qualifications or job duties. For more detailed job position information, please refer to the job description, which is available upon request from the Human Resources Department.

Milwaukee County Transit System 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, age; protected military status, status as a qualified individual with a disability or any other characteristic protected by law.