A Maintenance Operations Manager in a fire protection company is responsible for
overseeing the daily service activities, ensuring regulatory compliance, and managing the technical teams that maintain fire and life safety systems
. This role balances technical expertise in fire suppression and alarm systems with high-level operational management to ensure client safety and business profitability.
Key Responsibilities
- Operational Management: Plan, schedule, and monitor daily service operations to meet project deadlines and quality standards. This includes managing service agreements, system migrations, and Time & Materials (T&M) work to provide on-time delivery.
- Team Leadership: Supervise and support service technicians, providing guidance, training, and performance evaluations. Managers are responsible for determining technical labor loading and ensuring the right balance of talent to meet customer needs.
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all fire protection systems and maintenance activities comply with local and national safety standards, such as NFPA codes or SCDF regulations.
- Financial & Budgeting: Manage revenue, gross margin, and departmental budgets. This involves controlling costs, managing expenditure against allocated budgets, and driving expansion of chargeable opportunities.
- Maintenance Programs: Develop and implement preventive maintenance (PM) programs for equipment and facilities. This includes using Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) to manage work orders and track asset performance.
- Client & Vendor Relations: Act as the primary contact for clients, addressing concerns and maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction. This also includes negotiating contracts with outside vendors for parts or specialized services.
- Safety & Risk Management: Implement workplace safety policies and conduct routine inspections to identify and address fire hazards. This role often involves leading incident investigations and driving a positive safety culture.
Required Skills & Qualifications
- Education: Minimum of a Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical or Electrical), Building Management, or a related field.
- Experience: Typically requires 5-10 years of experience in fire protection or facilities maintenance, with at least 3-5 years in a managerial or leadership role.
- Technical Knowledge: Deep understanding of fire alarm systems, sprinkler systems, smoke control, and fire-fighting equipment.
- Certifications: Professional certifications such as a certified Fire Safety Manager (FSM) or Project Management Professional (PMP) are often preferred.
- Soft Skills: Strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills are essential for managing cross-functional teams and complex technical issues.
