Director, Facilities

Position Overview: The Director, Facilities is responsible for overseeing and coordinating coffeehouse facilities services including repair, maintenance and capital improvements for Caribou Coffee locations. This role oversees repair, maintenance, capital improvements, and vendor partnerships to ensure coffeehouse environments and equipment consistently meet brand and operational standards in a cost-effective manner.

Core Responsibilities:

Facilities Operations & Maintenance

• Lead the facilities management function to ensure all coffeehouse locations and equipment are maintained to established brand and operational standards.

• Oversee preventive maintenance programs, ensuring effective execution by internal teams and third-party vendors to support daily operations and emergency response.

• Partner with Operations to enhance training and coaching that extends asset life and reduces repair and maintenance costs.

• Create, implement and evaluate policies, procedures and standards for the maintenance and repair of the coffeehouses. This includes monitoring the industry to ensure best practices are being utilized

• Conduct site visits with outside vendors and/or multi-unit managers to proactively resolve facility issues. Develop action plans to maintain facilities in a cost-effective manner and to assist in the operation of the coffeehouses. Identify and initiate training for Operations as necessary.

• Evaluate and develop solutions to any areas of concern, reoccurring issues, and maintain smooth, streamlined service in the most cost-effective manner possible.

• Partner with Construction & Development on new coffeehouse openings and remodel projects.

• Collaborate with Procurement and Operations to evaluate and deploy new products and equipment.

• Work closely with internal stakeholders to align facilities strategies with broader business objectives.

• Evaluate and implement emerging facilities technologies, predictive maintenance tools, and workflow automation opportunities.

• Ensure compliance with all applicable health, safety, building code, OSHA, ADA, environmental, and regulatory requirements.

• Lead enterprise facilities response plans for emergency events, business continuity, and crisis management situations.

Vendor & Service Management

• Source and manage the service providers providing maintenance and repair for coffeehouses, including but not limited to contract negotiation/execution, vendor qualifications/performance and financial monitoring/audits.

• Coordinate across functions to set up new vendors and services (Legal), source and test new products (Procurement and Operations), review and approve outside service invoices (Accounting), negotiate site specific solution (Lease Admin), build store level R&M plans (Finance), start up new stores and execute remodels (Construction & Development)

• Ensure efficient coordination between internal teams, vendors, and public agencies to complete projects on time and within budget.

• Manage Service Channel administrative relationship and ensure field leadership is properly trained to execute Service Channel with the support and direction from Facilities managers/technicians

Financial Oversight & Cost Management

• Establish and manage annual budgets related to the upkeep of the Caribou facilities for repair and maintenance expenses as well as capital expenditures.

• Coordinate with coffeehouse operations, outside contractors, public agencies, and internal staff to complete repairs/projects on time and within budget

• Monitor, audit, and analyze R&M accounts to identify trends, high-cost drivers, and opportunities for cost reduction.

• Evaluate and audit R&M accounts each period, creating and tracking accounts to monitor trends and effect desired change while identifying high-cost areas and develop plan of action to reduce expenses where applicable

• Reconcile service invoices, ensuring accuracy in billing, labor efficiency, parts usage, and alignment with scope of work.

• Partner with Finance to develop store-level R&M plans and improve financial performance.

• Oversee the Facilities Warehouse, including inventory planning and control for replacement parts and equipment.

People Leadership

• Lead, direct, and mentor a team of direct reports, ensuring they have the guidance and strategic direction needed to perform their duties effectively and in alignment with organizational goals and priorities.

• Set performance expectations and regularly monitor progress, providing constructive feedback and coaching as needed.

• Foster a positive team culture that encourages collaboration, accountability, and adherence to Caribou's core values, leading by example in demonstrating professionalism, integrity, and a strong work ethic.

• Serve as a champion for organizational change, effectively communicating the vision, rationale, and benefits of transformation initiatives. Lead a team through periods of change with clarity and confidence, fostering resilience and adaptability.

Skills and Requirements:

• Brings the Core Values to life in all that you do: Support One Another, Make Fun Happen, Be Yourself, Take Ownership, ServeWithLove.

• Skilled in working with cross-functional teams to enhance collaboration, resolution of issues and community building across multiple functions.

• Strong technical aptitude to monitor, assess and ultimately make necessary adjustments to support coffeehouse operations including front and back of house equipment and environments

• Must display strong analytical and organizational skills and can identify and implement process improvement strategies with positive business results

• Ability to make quick business assessments, differentiate between symptoms or root cause, while understanding the appropriate sequencing of necessary action steps

• History of successful project management, process enhancements and consistent execution

• Resilient, adaptable to change, comfortable with ambiguity, and provides a calming influence for both team and cross functional partners

• Acts with urgency and care, prioritizing actions that have immediate impact on team, guest and business

• Leads with curiosity with propensity to embrace change and make improvements to working practices.

• Possesses a clear and engaging communication style (verbal and written) rooted in a desire to understand others and co-create solutions.

• Ability to influence internal and external partners to create buy-in and excitement

• Ability to lead and motivate across all levels within organization, building a culture of accountability and recognition

• Ability to think strategically and translate annual plan goals into action; steward of the financial plan

• Occasional travel may be required.

Qualifications:

Required:

• 7+ years facilities management experience including

• Working knowledge of restaurant equipment, maintenance, preventative maintenance, operating requirements, asset management, EMS, Service Channel

• Extensive knowledge of building & health codes

• General knowledge of mechanical, electrical, HVAC & plumbing systems

• 4+ years' experience within multi-unit restaurant concept supporting operations, asset management and repair, and work order processes

• 4+ years restaurant remodel experience

• 4+ years' experience leading a facilities management team, including on-site and remote employees

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including project management software

• Must have a valid Driver's License and an acceptable DMV Report

• Hybrid employment from White Bear Lake or Brooklyn Center locations

Preferred:

• Bachelor's Degree

• Project management experience with capital improvements, i.e. remodel/refurbishment as well as equipment rollouts

• Experience managing vendors

• Experience with web-based asset management software

• Technical knowledge of standard coffeehouse equipment as well as HVAC, plumbing and electrical equipment/systems; knowledge of espresso and brewing equipment

Physical Requirements:

The physical requirements for this position include sitting, standing, bending, lifting, and moving intermittently during working hours. These physical requirements must be accomplished with or without reasonable accommodation.