Equipment Services Manager - New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co., Inc.

The Equipment Services Manager is responsible for ensuring the efficient operation of all mobile equipment within the organization. This role involves overseeing the coordination of movement, repair, and maintenance activities to optimize efficiency. This role develops and implements maintenance and repair programs, as well as safety initiatives, to enhance operational reliability. Identifying opportunities for improving equipment utilization and managing annual budgets and costs are also key aspects of the role. The Equipment Services Manager collaborates with business line leaders to coordinate mobile repairs, rebuilds, and replacements, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and budgets.

Core Responsibilities

Coordination, Optimization, and Maintenance

• Ensure efficient repair, and maintenance of all mobile equipment to maximize productivity and minimize downtime.
• Develop and implement comprehensive maintenance programs adhering to industry standards, optimizing utilization, and planning repairs during seasonal downtime.
• Prioritize fleet equipment use and assets, minimizing customer downtime through proper maintenance and prompt repair.
• Keep internal customers apprised of repair schedules or anticipated repair time in a timely manner.
• Clearly communicate pertinent information with internal departments and stakeholders to facilitate collaboration and coordination.
• Effectively manage equipment disposals, both physically and within the Fixed Asset system.

Safety and Compliance

• Spearhead the development and enforcement of equipment safety programs, fostering a culture of safety awareness among staff.
• Demonstrate support and leadership in safety initiatives, ensuring adherence to safety policies and procedures.
• Provide clear instructions on safe work practices and monitor safety performance, enforcing safety rules and recognizing safe behaviors.

Financial Management

• Take ownership of developing and managing annual budgets for mobile equipment maintenance and repairs, collaborating with business line leaders to align budgets with organizational goals.
• Accurately allocate and charge equipment maintenance and repair costs to appropriate stakeholders, ensuring transparency and accountability in financial management processes.
• Work closely with superintendents to establish site/shop budgets, effectively managing staff and resources to meet budgetary targets.
• Analyze the total cost of ownership (TCO) for equipment, including acquisition costs, operating expenses, and maintenance costs over the equipment's lifecycle.

Supplier and Vendor Management

• Oversee relationships with external suppliers and vendors, developing procurement strategies to optimize cost-effectiveness.
• Conduct market research to identify potential suppliers and equipment options, negotiate pricing and terms, and analyze TCO for equipment acquisitions.
• Evaluate the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of in-house repairs versus subcontracting work, considering factors such as equipment complexity, workforce skill sets, available resources, and turnaround time.

Leadership and Team Management

• Provide leadership and guidance to a team of superintendents, supporting their professional development and addressing any escalated issues.
• Ensure resources are available for fleet equipment repair requests and maintenance, keeping internal customers informed of repair schedules and anticipated downtime.
• Work through major vendors to offer training opportunities and enhance the internal skill sets of the staff.

Continuous Improvement

• Conduct root cause analysis to identify underlying issues impacting equipment performance, maintenance, and operational efficiency, to identify opportunities for improvement and cost reduction.
• Implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in equipment management and maintenance.

Qualifications

• Proven experience (10+ years) in equipment management or a similar role within the mining and construction industry.
• Bachelor's or Associates degree in a related field (e.g., Engineering, Business, Diesel Technology, Heavy Equipment Maintenance) is preferred. Significant experience with progressive responsibilities in equipment management may be considered in lieu of degree.
• In-depth knowledge of mobile equipment operations, maintenance practices, and safety regulations.
• Proven history of leading and supporting a high functioning, rapidly paced team.
• Strong financial acumen with experience in budget management and cost control.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills, coupled with a proven ability to collaborate effectively across multiple departments and build professional relationships with leaders and external networks.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Proficiency in relevant software and systems for equipment management and maintenance tracking.
• Demonstrated ability to develop equipment specifications, including creating and sharing specifications for new, used, and replacement mobile equipment.
• Capable of negotiating capital purchases of mobile equipment, including executing approval routes and finalizing vendor commitments.
• Proven history of negotiating service contracts, vendor labor rates, parts supplier discounts, and other external service operations.
• Working knowledge of tire programs and tire service contracts, from small vehicles through heavy construction equipment. This includes negotiating supplier contracts.
• Experience in managing a rented equipment fleet, including vendor management.
• Ability to create positive and value-added partnerships with suppliers, vendors, and customers.
• Strong analytical skills to collect and interpret data by analyzing equipment utilization rates, maintenance costs, downtime statistics, inventory levels, supplier performance metrics, and operational efficiency indicators.
• Strong customer service orientation.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Must possess strong attention to detail, good organizational skills with the ability to ensure accurate work.

Personal Characteristics & Competencies

• Entrepreneurial spirit combined with prudence. (i.e., consideration of long-term risks and opportunities). Highly developed organizational influence and negotiation skills.
• Strong people and culture manager with a track record of building bench strength, leading leaders, and maximizing the impact of the organization.
• A self-confident, proactive professional who can successfully lead in a fast-changing business environment.
• Tough minded with the courage of convictions to drive critical strategies and programs through to completion.
• A change agent willing to take measured risk and who is committed to deliver on commitments to the organization.
• Personal and professional alignment to NESL’s Cultural Goals:
  • Focus & Integrity to Do What’s Right
  • Know the Numbers, Know the Business
  • Embrace Change
  • Intentionally Collaborative