Manager, Elec Sys & Utility Ops - TAC

Job Summary

Location: Toledo, OH

This position oversees the day-to-day operation, maintenance, reliability, and continuous improvement of utility and energy assets located within the central utility complex and manufacturing areas at the Toledo Assembly Complex (TAC), ensuring systems operate safely, efficiently, reliably, and in an environmentally responsible manner while meeting customer requirements. This role also serves as the site operations leader and primary electrical SME, providing technical guidance on medium-voltage distribution, switching operations, troubleshooting, maintenance, emergency response, equipment performance, and reliability. This position does not perform electrical engineering design work.

Assets include (7) 2100-Ton Chillers, (5) 5000-CFM Centrifugal Air Compressors; (3) 800-HP Hot Water Generators; (150) gas-fired Roof Top Air Handling Units with DX cooling; Electrical Distribution Systems; Wastewater Treatment Plant; Weld Water System; and Cooling Towers that support several of these systems.

The position reports to the Regional Operations Manager and serves as the primary liaison between DTE and customer leadership at the Toledo Assembly Plant.

Key Accountabilities

Operations & Site Leadership

• Oversee safe, reliable, efficient, and environmentally responsible operation of customer-owned utility assets to meet customer requirements.
• Lead site personnel, including unionized operations and maintenance employees, and serve as the primary onsite liaison with customer leadership.
• Build effective relationships with customer personnel, contractors, suppliers, and key stakeholders.
• Manage operating and maintenance budgets, inventory controls, purchasing activities, and cost-reduction initiatives.
• Drive continuous improvement and ensure compliance with commercial agreements, company policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.

Utility Systems Management

• Oversee operation and maintenance of utility infrastructure, including chilled water, compressed air, cooling tower, electrical distribution, wastewater, air handling, instrumentation, and related systems.
• Develop reliability and maintenance strategies to maximize equipment availability, performance, and system efficiency. Support outage planning, system restoration, emergency response, and root cause investigations.

Electrical Subject Matter Expert Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary electrical SME for KEP/ITP and support other company facilities as needed.
• Provide technical guidance on electrical system operations, maintenance, troubleshooting, reliability, and corrective actions.
• Perform or oversee medium-voltage switching, troubleshooting, and emergency response in accordance with safety procedures and operating standards.
• Resolve complex electrical issues involving distribution systems, transformers, switchgear, protective relays, motors, feeders, and control systems.
• Coordinate with contractors and technical service providers during electrical failures, major maintenance activities, assessments, and equipment evaluations.

Administrative

• Manage schedules, time reporting, contractor coordination, work prioritization, and operational reporting.
• Support company initiatives, best practices, and operational excellence programs.

Minimum Education & Experience Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent and at least seven (7) years of supervisory or managerial experience in the operation, maintenance, and administration of utility systems, powerhouses, industrial facilities, or similar plant assets; or
• Associate degree or industry-recognized certificate in a related discipline and at least five (5) years of related supervisory or managerial experience; or
• Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline and at least three (3) years of related supervisory or managerial experience.
• Minimum five (5) years of hands-on experience with industrial electrical distribution systems up to 15 kV, including medium-voltage equipment, switching operations, troubleshooting, maintenance, emergency response, and protective relaying.
• Strong knowledge of industrial electrical distribution systems, including switchgear, transformers, protective relays, motors, feeders, controls, and related infrastructure.
• Demonstrated ability to lead safe, accountable, high-performing teams in heavy industrial, utility, manufacturing, or energy environments, including unionized workforces.
• Ability to drive operational excellence, reliability, continuous improvement, and energy efficiency across utility and plant systems.
• Strong business acumen, including budget management, financial performance, vendor/contractor oversight, commercial obligations, and customer expectations.
• Effective communication, collaboration, influencing, problem-solving, decision-making, and change leadership skills.
• Ability to serve as a credible technical subject matter expert across multiple industrial facilities; proficiency with Microsoft Office and CMMS tools.

Other Qualifications

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Power Systems Technology, or a related technical discipline.

Physical Demands & Working Conditions

The physical demands characterized here epitomize those that must be met by an employee to properly perform the integral functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. In order to properly perform the integral functions of this job, the employee is required to:

• Frequently stand or walk and sit.
• Frequently lift objects of up to 10 pounds in weight; occasionally lift or move objects of up to 40 pounds in weight.
• Talk or hear, both in person and by telephone; use wrists, hands and/or fingers in a repetitive motion; and reach with hands and arms extensively.
• Use computers, mouse, keyboard, and other office equipment.
• Possess the following vision requirements: close, color, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
• Frequently climb ladders, walk extended distances, enter mechanical and electrical equipment areas, and access elevated platforms.
• Wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), including arc-flash and electrical safety gear when performing or overseeing electrical work.
• Be exposed to industrial noise, heat, equipment vibration, and varying environmental conditions.
• Respond to utility or electrical emergencies on a 24/7 basis as operational needs require.
• Work in a business office setting and at an industrial site.

Additional Information

Incumbents may engage in all or some combination of the activities and accountabilities, and utilize a variety of the competencies cited in this description depending upon the organization and role to which they are assigned. This description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by incumbents in this job. It is not intended as an all-inclusive list of accountabilities or responsibilities, nor is it intended to limit the rights of supervisors or management representatives to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision.