Position Overview: The Regional Distribution & Maintenance Manager will oversee the successful distribution, fleet operations, and fleet maintenance of one of Linde Gases U.S. (LGUS) regions, including, but not limited to; safety performance, driver staffing & retention, equipment utilization, equipment maintenance, efficiency KPI's, cost savings initiatives, SMP / SOP implementation, logistics / field dispatching & scheduling improvements, training, development of distribution supervision, maintenance technicians, and professional drivers. The Regional Distribution & Maintenance Manager will provide guidance and coaching to facilities in the region to achieve Linde Gases distribution safety, efficiency, and financial goals. This position will report to the Region Operations Director Responsibilities: Maintenance Responsibilities: - Maintenance compliance - ensures required preventative and corrective maintenance is performed to preserve safe and reliable equipment operations. - Responsible for ensuring that PM programs are effectively executed at each facility to meet DOT and Linde requirements. - Maintains adequate critical spare tractor/ trailer parts inventory for the region. - Maintains critical national supplier and dealer maintenance relationship for each location. - Manages local dealer, and internal repair facilities to ensure all work is completed in accordance with the Linde's safety, maintenance, and compliance procedures, along with adherence to federal and state regulations. - Manages compliance with all OEM dealership warranty claims. - Expedites repairs to equipment as required. - Collaborates with global procurement (GPMM) to manage vendors for maintenance of equipment, trucks, trailers, purchase of service parts, and contracted services. - Work closely with sales, product management, and other departments to coordinate vehicle maintenance scheduling and usage to ensure reliable supply to customers. - Responsible for managing distribution asset maintenance expenses and recommending cost savings initiatives. - Prioritizes repairs to minimize service disruptions and maximize vehicle uptime. - Provides training to maintenance team and ensures all preventative and corrective maintenance is documented in the CMMS. - Monitors fleet performance, report on vehicle downtime, maintenance costs, other metrics, and engages Fleet Management team as required. - Manages/ develops maintenance team training and certifications Safety, Compliance, Efficiencies, Utilization, Financial, Driver Management, and Technology Responsibilities Include: - Responsible for managing and executing region distribution safety goals - Responsible for bringing forward resource actions (supervisors, drivers, and mechanics) required to meet business plan. - Responsible to drive equipment optimization and utilization. - Responsible for reviewing trip efficiency and safety data with facilities and developing / implementing action plans for improvement. - Responsible for managing required driver staffing levels with Logistics Managers, Facility Managers, and Distribution Superintendents. - Focal point to review / approve new driver requests and common carriers introduced to the region to meet customer obligations. - Responsible to assist facilities with recruiting efforts of professional drivers and mechanics. - Represents region in national fleet initiatives as well as idea generation, prioritization, determination, and qualification of those initiatives selected to move forward. - Responsible for championing / implementing new technologies to improve distribution safety and efficiency safety (OBC, trailer tracking, vehicle safety programs, backing cameras, etc.). - Responsible for monthly reporting and updates to region management on current projects, initiatives, and KPI's. - Responsible for coordinating and ensuring distribution related training is complete and current for Supervisors, Mechanics, and Drivers. - Assist with technical qualification of common and dedicated contract carriers in conjunction with GPMM. Leads periodic re-assessments of carriers. - Assist in identifying fill zone loading deficiencies and develop actionable solutions to improve the process. - Responsible to manage and drive site distribution safety assessments and compliance audits. - Focal point for region distribution productivity initiatives. - Responsible for driver training program management. - Assists with accident investigations and drive RCA activities. - Collaborate with our Customer Service organization to assess customer tank installations to improve driver access and safety. - Participate with Linde corporate labor relations team during contract negotiations. Qualifications: - Bachelor's degree in mechanical, industrial engineering, or 10+ years related industry experience - 5+ years transportation, logistics, or fleet management experience - 5+ years managing tractor trailer preventative and corrective maintenance - 5+ years managing, sourcing, and maintaining critical spare parts inventory for tractors and trailers - 5+ years of managing people: Supervisors, Mechanics, and Professional Drivers - Strong verbal, presentation, and written communication skills - Ability to work through others to accomplish initiatives and goals - Critical and analytical thinking skills - Demonstrates proficiency in computer-based tools and programs to manage and improve driver safety, efficiency, compliance, and equipment maintenance - Ability to drive safety and efficiency performance through technology advancement - Solid organizational skills are required to prioritize and manage multiple projects - Overnight travel requirement 30% -50% - Primary work location - This is not a remote position - candidate can be based at one of the following Linde plant locations: Ecorse, MI, Laporte, IN, or East Chicago, IN. About Linde: Linde is a leading global industrial gases and engineering company with 2024 sales of $33 billion. We live our mission of making our world more productive every day by providing high-quality solutions, technologies and services which are making our customers more successful and helping to sustain and protect our planet. Culture: At Linde, we strive to create a work environment that treats all employees with respect, supports new thoughts and ideas, encourages growth and development, celebrates our differences, and embraces inclusion. Linde is committed to remaining an employer of choice for the diverse, ever-increasing pool of global talent. For more information about the company and its products and services, please visit www.linde.com. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other reason prohibited by applicable law. #LI-MM1