Avery Plant Operations Manager

Position Overview:

The Plant Operations Manager – Avery Market is responsible for overseeing the daily planning, organization, and management of plant operations and facility maintenance. This role ensures safe and efficient physical structures, HVAC systems, utilities, and grounds. Reporting to the Director of Non-Clinical Operations, the Manager leads vendor coordination, manages maintenance contracts, promotes safety through training, and supports continuous improvement in quality, productivity, and efficiency across all shifts.

Compensation is commensurate upon education, experience, certification, and internal equity. Hiring compensation range starts from $28.42 /hour.

The Perks and Benefits:

• Collaborative environment: Work alongside dedicated healthcare professionals who share a passion for delivering high-quality care.
• Professional development: We offer ongoing training and opportunities for career advancement, including tuition reimbursement and participation in our progressive Career Pathways Program.
• Impactful work: Help ensure patient safety and contribute directly to positive patient outcomes in our community.
• Location perks: Boone, North Carolina, located in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, offers exceptional outdoor activities like biking, hiking, kayaking, skiing, and more. Enjoy great shopping, fine dining, breweries, wineries, and cultural attractions in Boone, Blowing Rock, and Linville.
• Top-tier community: Boone boasts a top-rated North Carolina public school system and is home to Appalachian State University. Recognized as a top destination by Forbes, Southern Living, and Niche, Boone is ideal for families, professionals, and retirees alike.
• Compensation is commensurate upon education & experience - range is $28.42 /hour or more (depending on education & experience). Benefits begin the first of the month following 60 days of employment from the new hire orientation date. This position is a non-exempt position.
• Comprehensive benefits package to include health, dental, and vision insurance as well as HSA.
• Supplemental insurance to include short and long-term disability insurance, accidental insurance, life insurance, hospital indemnity insurance, critical illness insurance, identity theft protection, legal insurance, etc.
• Student loan refinancing benefit and college savings fund as well as tuition reimbursement for qualifying employees.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match.
• Paid time off - front-loaded for the first year for qualifying part-time and full-time employees (amount based on status and FTE at the time of hire) - paid time off accrual begins following the first year of employment. Cash out option also available for qualifying employees by meeting specified criteria.
• Paid parental leave - qualifying employees are eligible to use two (2) weeks of paid parental leave anytime during the first six (6) months following the birth or adoption of a child - to be taken consecutively.
• Employee wellness program - Love Your Life - award-winning voluntary wellness program available for UNC Health Appalachian employees.
• Employee to Employee (E2E) program - Caring for our own.
• Additional employee perks include discounted rates for Dollywood, Biltmore, Tweetsie Railroad, etc. (subject to change).

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee daily facility operations, physical plant systems, and grounds maintenance.
• Ensure safety and efficiency of HVAC, utilities, and infrastructure systems.
• Lead and manage plant operations staff across all shifts, including hiring, training, and performance evaluations.
• Coordinate vendor services and maintenance contracts.
• Promote a safety-first culture through regular training and compliance enforcement.
• Drive process improvement initiatives related to quality, efficiency, and regulatory compliance.
• Maintain accurate documentation and support operational readiness for inspections.

Position Requirements:

Minimum Education:

• Associate’s degree in healthcare management or engineering is preferred, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience:

• 5 years of progressively responsible experience in facilities management.

• 3 years of experience specifically in healthcare-based facilities management required.

• 1 year of prior experience in a similar role preferred.

Required Registration/License/Certification:

• Licensure not required.

• Certified Healthcare Facility Manager (CHFM) or similar preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of regulatory safety standards and plant operations leadership.
• Effective communication across all levels using professional and respectful methods.
• Understanding of care environments and support services within a healthcare system.
• Strong commitment to exceptional customer service and teamwork.
• Supervisory-level knowledge of building life safety code, emergency management, and environment of care standards.
• Familiarity with NFPA standards related to healthcare facility operations.

Physical Demands:

• Lifts, positions, pushes, pulls, and/or transfers up to and greater than 50 pounds
• Manual dexterity and mobility
• Prolonged, extensive or considerable sitting/standing/walking
• Bending, squatting, twisting, and turning
• Near acuity: ability to see clearly at 20 inches or less

Working Conditions:

• Infrequently exposed to the risk of bloodborne diseases
• Frequently exposed to hazards from electrical/mechanical/power equipment, odorous chemicals and specimens, and unpleasant elements (accident, injury, slippery surfaces, uneven surfaces), etc.
• Subject to irregular hours (days, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays) and emergencies
• Continuous standing and walking long periods = to or greater than > 8 hours per shift
• Speaking, reading, and writing, expanded > 8 hours per day
• Exposed to vibration and cramped spaces > 1-hour day
• Frequently per shift lifts, carries, pushes, and/or pulls > 50 lbs.
• Frequently per hour bends, squats, kneels, twists, turns, and reaches
• Frequently per minute: hand, finger, and wrist repetition and moderate dexterity
• Frequently per hour: exposed to close eye work
• Infrequently may be exposed to ionizing/nonionizing radiation exposure, including x-ray and microwave

About UNC Health Appalachian It's official - UNC Health Appalachian earned an "A" in the fall 2023 Leapfrog Patient Safety Grades! UNC Health Appalachian, the leader for healthcare in the High Country, comprises three hospitals, 13 medical practices, Seby B. Jones Regional Cancer Center, The Rehabilitation Center, and Appalachian Regional Healthcare Foundation. UNC Health Appalachian stays committed to promoting health in the High Country, enhancing quality of life, and simply “making life better.”

About UNC Health UNC Health is a state entity and an affiliated enterprise of the University of North Carolina system, comprised of 14 hospitals, 18 hospital campuses and more than 500 clinics along with the clinical patient care programs of the UNC School of Medicine (SOM). It exists to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others we serve and to further the teaching mission of the University of North Carolina SOM. Over the past three years, UNC Health has provided more than $400 million in uncompensated or charity care to the citizens of North Carolina. Our hospitals have received numerous awards and recognition for quality care, patient safety and the overall patient experience. For more information, please visit unchealth.org .

UNC Health Appalachian embraces diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status. We value a workforce that reflects a variety of backgrounds and perspectives, as it enhances our ability to provide outstanding care. We welcome and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences. UNC Health Appalachian is committed to providing a fair and inclusive hiring process and a workplace where all team members feel respected and empowered. If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact us.

Employment at UNC Health Appalachian is contingent upon successful completion of a background and drug screen. For accommodations or additional information, contact ... .