KPI Inc.

Operations & Maintenance Manager

Location: Richmond, British Columbia
Salary: $80,000–$90,000 annually
Employment Type: Full-Time | Permanent
Work Arrangement: On-Site

The Opportunity

KPI is recruiting an experienced Operations & Maintenance Manager with a strong trades background to lead a technical maintenance team within a large commercial facility in Richmond, BC.

We are looking for a hands-on leader who has built their career working with mechanical equipment, building systems, and maintenance crews. Someone who understands the work because they've done it themselves and genuinely enjoys being in the field with their team.

This is not a desk-bound management position.

The successful candidate will be equally comfortable troubleshooting equipment, demonstrating repair techniques, training employees, coordinating contractors, and managing operational priorities.

The position combines technical leadership, staff development, building operations, preventive maintenance, project coordination, and financial accountability.

We are particularly interested in candidates who have progressed from a skilled trade or technical maintenance background into crew supervision or operations management.

Key Responsibilities

Hands-On Leadership & Crew Development

• Lead, supervise, and work alongside building maintenance and operations personnel.

• Provide practical, hands-on training in equipment troubleshooting, repairs, preventive maintenance, and safe work procedures.

• Demonstrate proper maintenance techniques and assist employees with technically challenging assignments.

• Assign daily work, coordinate crews, and monitor the quality and completion of maintenance activities.

• Evaluate employees' technical competencies and identify opportunities for training and development.

• Coach junior technicians, building operators, and maintenance personnel to improve their mechanical knowledge and independence.

• Participate directly in inspections, troubleshooting, repairs, and maintenance activities when required.

• Establish accountability for workmanship, safety, productivity, and operational performance.

Mechanical Systems & Building Maintenance

• Oversee the operation, inspection, servicing, and maintenance of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical building systems.

• Support troubleshooting of boilers, chillers, pumps, motors, air handling equipment, and building automation systems.

• Coordinate preventive and corrective maintenance programs to minimize equipment failures and service interruptions.

• Inspect mechanical rooms, equipment installations, and building infrastructure to identify deficiencies.

• Evaluate recurring mechanical problems and implement practical corrective solutions.

• Coordinate equipment repairs, component replacements, and specialized maintenance activities.

• Maintain appropriate standards for general building repairs, carpentry, plumbing, and facility upkeep.

• Ensure maintenance activities are completed by appropriately qualified personnel and in accordance with applicable safety requirements.

Contractor & Project Supervision

• Coordinate and supervise contractors, specialized trades, and external service providers.

• Manage smaller construction, renovation, equipment replacement, and facility improvement projects.

• Review scopes of work, technical specifications, service quotations, and project requirements.

• Monitor workmanship, schedules, costs, and compliance with applicable codes.

• Inspect completed work and ensure outstanding deficiencies are corrected.

• Coordinate contractors and internal crews to minimize disruptions to building operations.

• Assist with the planning and execution of capital maintenance projects.

Operations & Financial Management

• Establish maintenance schedules, staffing priorities, and operational work plans.

• Manage preventive maintenance programs and monitor work order completion.

• Assist with annual operating budgets, capital expenditure planning, and maintenance forecasts.

• Monitor contractor costs, equipment purchases, repair expenses, and operating expenditures.

• Evaluate repair-versus-replacement decisions based on equipment condition, cost, and operational requirements.

• Oversee contracted services involving cleaning, landscaping, waste management, snow removal, and general facility maintenance.

• Maintain accurate maintenance records, equipment logs, inspection reports, and operational documentation.

• Identify opportunities to improve equipment reliability, staff productivity, and maintenance efficiency.

Safety & Emergency Response

• Enforce occupational health and safety procedures and safe work practices across maintenance activities.

• Ensure employees and contractors follow appropriate equipment isolation, lockout procedures, and other applicable safety requirements.

• Coordinate inspections and maintenance of emergency generators, fire protection equipment, and life safety systems.

• Respond to significant equipment failures, emergency repairs, and operational incidents.

• Provide technical direction to maintenance personnel during urgent repairs and equipment shutdowns.

• Participate in after-hours emergency response when required.

Qualifications & Experience

Required

• Minimum 5 years of experience in skilled trades, building maintenance, mechanical systems, or facilities operations.

• At least 2 years of experience supervising maintenance crews, tradespeople, or technical personnel.

• Strong hands-on mechanical aptitude and practical troubleshooting experience.

• Demonstrated experience training, coaching, and developing maintenance personnel in the field.

• Working knowledge of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, mechanical systems, and general building maintenance.

• Experience coordinating preventive maintenance, equipment repairs, and maintenance schedules.

• Ability to supervise contractors, assess workmanship, and manage maintenance projects.

• Experience managing operating expenses, purchasing, and maintenance-related budgets.

• Familiarity with building automation systems and computerized maintenance management software.

• Knowledge of applicable building codes, occupational health and safety requirements, and safe work practices.

• Willingness to remain actively involved in field operations and technical problem-solving.

• Availability to respond to operational emergencies when required.

Preferred Technical Background

Candidates with practical experience in one or more of the following disciplines are strongly encouraged to apply:

• Millwright / Industrial Mechanic

• HVAC / Refrigeration Mechanic

• 4th Class Power Engineering

• Plumbing / Mechanical Systems

• Electrical Maintenance

• Building Environmental Systems (BES)

• Systems Maintenance Administrator (SMA)

• Mechanical Engineering Technology

• Commercial Building Operations

Trade certification, a technical diploma, or relevant building operations credentials are considered assets. Equivalent combinations of practical trades experience, technical training, and demonstrated crew leadership will be considered.

Additional Assets

• Experience supervising multidisciplinary maintenance crews.

• Experience working in large commercial or institutional facilities.

• Familiarity with Maximo or comparable maintenance management systems.

• Experience with equipment lifecycle planning, energy management, and preventive maintenance improvements.

• Experience coordinating construction activities, equipment installations, or capital maintenance projects.

The Person We're Looking For

The strongest candidate will have a reputation for being technically capable, approachable, and willing to lead from the front.

They understand that effective maintenance leadership isn't simply assigning work. It involves teaching employees how to diagnose problems, demonstrating proper techniques, inspecting workmanship, and helping the team become more capable.

We're looking for someone who:

• Enjoys being on the tools and working alongside their crew.

• Has earned credibility through practical trades and maintenance experience.

• Can troubleshoot equipment rather than relying entirely on outside contractors.

• Takes pride in developing apprentices, technicians, and building operators.

• Understands the importance of preventive maintenance and long-term equipment reliability.

• Can manage budgets, contractors, and administrative responsibilities without becoming disconnected from daily operations.

• Takes ownership of problems and follows them through to completion.

• Remains calm, decisive, and resourceful when equipment fails or operational priorities change.

Compensation & Benefits

• Annual salary of $80,000–$90,000, based on qualifications and experience.

• Comprehensive health and benefits program.

• Employer pension plan.

• Potential performance-based incentives.

• Paid vacation and additional eligible leave.

• Professional development and technical training opportunities.

Apply Through KPI

This opportunity is particularly suited to an experienced Maintenance Supervisor, Lead Hand, Senior Building Operator, Power Engineer, or skilled trades professional who has progressed into crew leadership and wants to remain actively involved in technical operations.

If you're the type of manager who would rather be solving problems alongside your team than managing everything from behind a desk, we'd like to hear from you.

Visit www.kpi.ca to apply and explore additional opportunities in building operations, facilities management, and technical leadership.

KPI | Confidential Recruitment & Workforce Solutions