What are the responsibilities and job description for the Facilities Operations Technician position at The Distribution Group Inc?
Join Our Team at Van Eerden Foodservice – Growing in Fort Wayne, IN! Keep Our New Facility Running at Peak Performance
About Van Eerden Foodservice
We’re a fourth-generation, family-owned distributor based in Grand Rapids, MI, with over a century of delivering Fresh Ideas, Fresh Products, and Fresh Solutions to our customers. We believe in treating our team like family and our customers like partners — because when our people succeed, we all do.At Van Eerden, you’re part of a family-owned company that’s been committed to excellence in foodservice for more than 100 years. This is your opportunity to help build something great — with the backing of a company that values safety, teamwork, and people first.
We’re looking for a hands-on, highly skilled Facilities Operations Technician to take ownership of the systems that keep our new, high-demand cold storage distribution center running. If you’re the person others call when something needs to be fixed the right way, this role is built for you.
This position is deeply technical, independent, and essential. You’ll maintain refrigeration systems, troubleshoot electrical and mechanical issues, support facility projects, and ensure our building is safe, reliable, and inspection-ready every single day. This is a safety-sensitive role with 24/7 on-call responsibility in a fast-paced, temperature-controlled environment. As the facility grows, this role has the potential to expand in responsibility—but it begins as a hands-on, individual contributor position focused on operational excellence.
What You’ll Take On
- Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair all major facility systems — including refrigeration (ammonia/Freon), electrical, plumbing, mechanical equipment, and material handling assets.
- Perform preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance to keep the building operating safely and efficiently.
- Monitor cooler/freezer temps, maintain energy systems, and respond quickly to equipment issues or deviations.
- Conduct facility safety checks, audits, and compliance documentation while following all safety protocols (LOTO, PPE, confined space, fall protection).
- Support small projects, vendors, and building improvements, as well as occasional maintenance needs at affiliated properties.
- Keep the facility clean, organized, and ready for operations at all times with quick response to unexpected issues.
What You Bring
- 5 years of facility, industrial, or building maintenance experience.
- Technical expertise in refrigeration (ammonia/Freon), electrical, plumbing, hydraulics, and mechanical systems.
- Refrigeration certification preferred (or required depending on facility needs).
- Ability to operate and maintain licenses for material handling equipment.
- Skilled in welding, fabrication, power tools, and diagnostic equipment.
- Ability to bend, twist, and lift up to 100 lbs repeatedly.
- Comfortable working at heights (up to 50 ft) and in extreme temperature environments.
- Valid driver’s license.
- Strong troubleshooting, reliability, and decision-making in an on-call environment.
Benefits
- Medical, Dental & Vision coverage starting after 30 days.
- Paid vacation and holidays.
- 401(k) with 50% company match.
- Tuition reimbursement.
- Referral bonus up to $2,500.
Ready to own a facility and keep it running at its best?