Director, Facilities Strategy & Optimization (Hybrid Work Schedule)

About Parts Town

As the fastest-growing distributor of restaurant equipment, HVAC and residential appliance parts, Parts Town does things a little differently. We value unique enthusiasm, high integrity, and the courage to embrace change. Our workplace has been recognized on the Inc. 5000 list for 15 consecutive years and the Crain's Fast 50 list ten times. We've also been voted a Chicago Tribune Top Workplace for the last four years.

Perks

• Parts Town Pride -- check out our virtual tour and culture!
• Hybrid Work schedule
• Team member appreciation events and recognition programs
• Volunteer opportunities
• Monthly IT stipend
• Casual dress code
• On-demand pay options: Access your pay as you earn it.
• Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, 401(k)/401(k) match, employee assistance programs, and time away.

The Job at a Glance

Parts Town is seeking an experienced Facilities Strategy & Optimization Director to design and run automation projects, support divisional engineering teams, and identify and provide solutions for maintenance programs across a network of facilities. This role will drive facility utilization, throughput, and automation advancement, serving as the liaison for strategic vendor partnerships and integrators. You'll leverage data to create design solutions, partner with teams on execution, and monitor KPIs for long-term success. This role is key in aligning and advancing automation processes and tools, while also serving as a mentor and connector to foster cohesion and collaboration.

A Typical Day

• Direct engineering initiatives from data to design to implementation across new and existing sites.
• Lead deployment of automation technologies (e.g., AMRs, AS/RS, conveyor systems) and ensure system integration with fulfillment operations.
• Manage large-scale capital projects including budgeting, scheduling, vendor management, and QA/QC inspections.
• Establish and monitor KPIs for throughput, equipment utilization, and facility performance.
• Use data analytics and modeling to identify bottlenecks, optimize layouts, and drive continuous improvement.
• Implement benchmarking frameworks and global best practices.
• Collaborate with Operations, Safety, Maintenance, and Supply Chain teams to achieve reliability and cost-efficiency goals.
• Develop and standardize predictive and preventive maintenance programs.
• Minimize unplanned downtime and extend asset life through reliability-centered strategies.
• Oversee maintenance performance and compliance with safety and regulatory standards.
• Act as primary liaison with vendors, ensuring alignment with internal teams and resolving escalations.
• Oversee project timelines, resource allocation, and execution across multiple concurrent programs.
• Mentor and coach site-level engineering and maintenance leaders.
• Develop training programs focused on automation, data tools, and reliability excellence.
• Build a high-performing, scalable engineering team through skill development and succession planning.

To Land This Opportunity

• 7+ years of progressive leadership experience in maintenance operations, automation engineering, and vendor management within a multi-site distribution or logistics environment.
• Proven success in leading large-scale automation and capital improvement projects across a distribution organization (expertise in Lean, Six Sigma, industrial engineering, and asset management is a plus!).
• Analytical mindset with the ability to leverage data for performance optimization.
• Strong financial acumen and vendor negotiation skills.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive initiatives across a distribution organization.
• Passion for continuous improvement and analytics.
• Courage to direct the design, selection, and implementation of automated material handling systems, robotics (AGVs, AMRs), AS/RS, sortation, conveyor systems, and advanced technologies.
• Positive, outgoing, team-spirited, one-for-all personality.
• Ability to travel 30% annually (up to 50% during project implementation).
• Quality, high-speed internet connection at home.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Microsoft Office products (proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, and analytics tools strongly preferred).
• Excellent English communication skills (written and verbal).

About Your Future Team

Our Fulfillment Center Team consists of high-performing members with a passion for working hard and playing hard. We foster a team-oriented atmosphere, striving to live up to our core values daily: safety, integrity, community, passion, courage, and innovation.

Parts Town values transparency and is committed to ensuring team members feel appreciated and supported. We prioritize a positive workplace culture where collaboration, growth, and work-life balance are celebrated.

Salary Range: $136,952 - $185,288 annually (based on qualifications, experience, and location). Parts Town is a pay-for-performance company. Some roles offer profit-sharing and an annual bonus. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) with match, employee assistance programs, paid time off, paid sick time off, paid holidays, paid parental leave, and professional development opportunities.

Parts Town welcomes diversity and, as an equal opportunity employer, considers all qualified applicants regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status.

We are an E-Verify employer.

E-Verify Participation Poster: English | Spanish

E-Verify Right to Work Poster: English | Spanish