Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Facilities Maintenance Supervisor

🎯 Role Definition

The Facilities Maintenance Supervisor leads daily maintenance operations for commercial, industrial, or institutional properties, ensuring building systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire/life safety, building automation) operate safely and efficiently. This role directs a team of technicians, manages work order and preventive maintenance programs using CMMS, liaises with vendors and contractors, enforces safety and regulatory compliance (OSHA, NFPA), and drives continuous improvement in asset reliability, energy efficiency, and occupant satisfaction.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Senior Facilities Technician or Lead Maintenance Technician with hands-on experience across building systems.
Building Engineer or HVAC/Electrical Technician stepping into a supervisory role.
Maintenance Planner or CMMS Coordinator transitioning into team leadership.

Advancement To:

Facilities Manager / Building Operations Manager overseeing multi-site portfolios.
Maintenance Director or Director of Engineering with responsibility for capital planning.
Operations Manager for campus, manufacturing, or corporate real estate operations.

Lateral Moves:

Reliability Engineer focusing on asset management and preventive maintenance strategy.
Project Manager for facilities capital projects or renovations.

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Lead and supervise daily maintenance operations for building systems including HVAC, chillers, boilers, air handling units, variable frequency drives, motors, and controls to ensure reliable operation and occupant comfort.
Develop, implement, and optimize preventive maintenance schedules within a CMMS (e.g., IBM Maximo, eMaint, UpKeep) to reduce downtime, extend equipment life, and track work order history and KPIs.
Diagnose and perform complex electrical troubleshooting and repairs, including 120/208/480V distribution, motor control centers, lighting systems, and backup generators to minimize service interruptions.
Oversee plumbing and sanitation systems maintenance, respond to high-priority leaks and piping failures, and coordinate repairs to domestic water, sanitary, and storm systems in compliance with codes.
Manage HVAC controls and building automation system (BAS) programming and tuning to improve energy efficiency, occupant comfort, and fault detection and diagnostics.
Schedule, direct, and verify vendor and contractor work for specialty services such as roof repair, elevator maintenance, fire alarm certification, and major mechanical overhauls while ensuring contract compliance and quality.
Enforce and champion workplace safety programs, conduct regular safety inspections, maintain OSHA and NFPA compliance, and lead incident investigations and corrective action plans.
Maintain and manage inventory of parts, materials, and tools, implement stock optimization strategies, and manage purchasing to meet maintenance demand while controlling costs.
Prepare, manage, and reconcile maintenance budgets, contribute to capital expenditure planning, and provide cost estimates and justifications for lifecycle replacements and upgrades.
Train, mentor, schedule, evaluate, and discipline maintenance technicians; develop individual development plans and training programs to improve technical competency and safety awareness.
Respond to after-hours emergency calls (mechanical failures, power outages, water intrusion) and coordinate emergency response and restoration efforts to minimize operational impact.
Conduct systematic building inspections, document deficiencies, and develop corrective action plans and timelines to address structural and system issues proactively.
Coordinate with facility stakeholders (property management, operations, tenants) to prioritize maintenance activities, plan downtime windows, and communicate service impacts effectively.
Lead energy management initiatives and sustainability projects (LED retrofits, economizer optimization, boiler tuning) to reduce utility costs and support corporate sustainability targets.
Implement and monitor condition-based maintenance and predictive maintenance techniques, leveraging vibration analysis, infrared thermography, and oil analysis when applicable.
Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal codes, permit requirements, and environmental regulations, including hazardous materials handling and proper disposal practices.
Create, maintain, and update standard operating procedures (SOPs), maintenance manuals, and safety documentation to standardize practices across shifts and sites.
Track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as mean time between failures (MTBF), mean time to repair (MTTR), work order backlog, and preventive maintenance completion rates to drive continuous improvement.
Assist in asset lifecycle planning by providing condition assessments, useful life projections, and recommendation reports to inform capital planning and asset replacement strategies.
Lead small to medium-sized facilities projects, including budgeting, scheduling, contractor oversight, and closeout documentation to deliver projects on time and within budget.
Maintain accurate records for equipment warranties, service contracts, inspection certificates, and regulatory documentation to support audits and insurance requirements.
Coordinate space modifications and moves with operations and real estate teams, handling the maintenance aspects of renovation, reconfiguration, and tenant fit-outs.

Secondary Functions

Support implementation of digital maintenance initiatives including CMMS upgrades, mobile work order solutions, and integration with IoT sensors for improved data-driven decision-making.
Assist in emergency preparedness planning, business continuity exercises, and rapid recovery workflows for critical building systems.
Participate in vendor selection and formal procurement processes including RFP evaluation and performance scorecards.
Collaborate with energy managers and sustainability teams to monitor utility usage, identify conservation opportunities, and report on energy performance.
Provide input into lease negotiations and space use planning when maintenance or capital implications are identified.
Assist HR with recruiting, onboarding, and competency verification for technical trades roles.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proven expertise in HVAC systems maintenance and troubleshooting, including chillers, boilers, rooftop units, and DDC controls.
Strong electrical skills: distribution systems, motor control centers, starters, transformers, and emergency power systems.
Proficient in plumbing maintenance: piping repairs, pumps, valves, backflow prevention, and water treatment basics.
Experience managing maintenance programs using CMMS platforms (e.g., IBM Maximo, eMaint, Fiix, UpKeep) for preventive and reactive work order management.
Knowledge of building automation systems (BAS) and controls integration (e.g., Tridium Niagara, Johnson Controls, Honeywell).
Familiarity with fire & life safety systems, including fire alarm systems, sprinklers, and emergency lighting; able to coordinate inspections and testing.
Competence in reading electrical/mechanical blueprints, schematics, P&IDs, and maintenance manuals.
Hands-on experience with predictive maintenance tools and techniques, such as vibration analysis, infrared thermography, and oil analysis.
Budgeting and cost-control skills for maintenance operations, procurement, and vendor contract management.
Understanding of regulatory and compliance requirements: OSHA, NFPA, local building codes, and environmental regulations.
Project management ability to lead facility upgrades, renovations, and capital improvement projects from planning to closeout.
Basic welding, carpentry, and general building repair skills to supervise and perform small repairs when needed.
Competency in energy management strategies and technologies including LED retrofits, metering, and building commissioning.

Soft Skills

Strong leadership and people management skills with the ability to coach, develop, and motivate multi-disciplinary technical teams.
Effective verbal and written communication skills for interacting with stakeholders, vendors, and front-line staff.
Excellent troubleshooting and analytical problem-solving skills under pressure during critical system failures.
Time management and prioritization ability to balance reactive work, preventive programs, and projects.
Customer-service orientation to respond to tenant and operations needs with professionalism and urgency.
Attention to detail and commitment to documentation accuracy for safety records, inspection logs, and work history.
Conflict resolution and negotiation skills for managing vendor disputes, contractor performance, and internal escalations.
Adaptability and resilience in dynamic facilities environments with competing priorities.
Coaching and training aptitude to build technical depth within the maintenance team.
Strategic thinking with a focus on reliability-centered maintenance and continuous improvement.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:
High school diploma or GED plus technical certification in HVAC, electrical, plumbing, or a related trade; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Education:
Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Facilities Management, Mechanical/Electrical Engineering Technology, Construction Management, or related field; professional credentials such as CFM (Certified Facility Manager), CEM, or equivalent.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Facility Management
Mechanical or Electrical Engineering Technology
Building Systems Technology
Construction Management
HVAC/R, Industrial Maintenance, or Apprenticeship Programs

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:
5–10+ years of combined hands-on maintenance experience with at least 2–4 years in a supervisory or lead role.

Preferred:
7+ years of facilities maintenance experience with demonstrated leadership overseeing multi-trade teams and multi-site operations, experience with CMMS administration, and certifications such as OSHA 30, EPA 608 (for HVAC), NFPA-related training, or CFM.