Snowmaking Manager

Position Summary

(FTYR, Benefitted Position) The Snowmaking Manager owns the leadership, strategic direction, and day to day execution of Arizona Snowbowl's snowmaking program, including personnel, infrastructure, automation systems, and capital improvements. This role sets and drives production strategy directly, working hands-on with weather data, equipment, and crew to hit terrain opening targets safely and cost-effectively. The Snowmaking Manager works closely with Grooming, Lift Operations, Ski Patrol, and the Director of Mountain Operations to align snow depth targets with resort wide operational priorities. Success in this role shows up as terrain opening on schedule, snowmaking costs tracking to budget, and a crew that operates safely and reliably through a demanding, round-the-clock production season.

Qualifications

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

Production Strategy & Execution

• Execute seasonal and long-term snowmaking strategy, including terrain opening timelines, production goals, and infrastructure modernization planning.
• Monitor weather conditions (wet-bulb temperature, humidity, and wind) and adjust production plans in real time.

Equipment, Systems & Emergency Response

• Oversee snowmaking equipment operations and maintenance, including safe startup, shutdown, and relocation across terrain, and preventative maintenance programs for pumps, compressors, guns, and vehicles.
• Manage the department's operational software and automation systems, including fleet/trail/metrics tracking, weather data integration, and production efficiency dashboards (water usage, energy consumption, cost per acre-foot).
• Respond to emergency equipment failures and provide hands-on leadership during critical operational situations.

Safety & Compliance

• Enforce all snowmaking safety protocols, including PPE usage, confined space procedures, and lockout/tagout compliance.
• Develop, maintain, and organize a formal Standard Operating Procedure library for snowmaking operations and infrastructure maintenance, including document standards and a master indexing system.
• Maintain compliance with environmental, safety, and sustainability standards.

People Leadership

• Own the department's people strategy, including org structure and staffing plans, hiring, training, scheduling, evaluating crew, and building labor budget proposals for resort leadership.

Capital Planning & Cross-Departmental Coordination

• Plan and oversee capital improvement projects, including pipeline expansions, hydrant installations, pump upgrades, and electrical infrastructure.
• Coordinate closely with Grooming and Mountain Operations to align snow depth targets and terrain priorities.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Directly supervises snowmaking operators, maintenance technicians, and shift leads, and supervisors, including hiring, training, scheduling, and performance management.
• Builds and manages a multi-shift, 24-hour production team through the snowmaking season.
• Partners with Human Resources and the Director of Mountain Operations on staffing plans, labor budget proposals, and disciplinary matters.
• Coordinates day to day with Grooming, Lift Operations, and Ski Patrol leadership but does not supervise staff outside of Snowmaking.

Job Qualifications:

Required:

• 5+ years of snowmaking experience with demonstrated leadership progression.
• Strong knowledge of high-pressure water systems, compressed air systems, pump station operations, and automated snowmaking systems.
• Advanced understanding of wet-bulb temperature and snow production metrics.
• Experience managing multi-shift operations (24-hour production environment preferred).
• Proficiency with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS), GIS mapping, Microsoft Office, and operational reporting software.
• Strong mechanical troubleshooting skills (pumps, valves, hydrants, automation controls).
• Budget management and financial oversight experience.
• Ability to make sound operational decisions under pressure, with strong alertness, judgment, and spatial perception.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Available to work extended hours, including nights, weekends, holidays, and on-call rotations during snowmaking operations.

Preferred:

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Business Management, Engineering, Environmental Science, Construction Management, or a related field.
• Technical training in snowmaking, industrial maintenance, project management, mechanical systems, or mountain operations.
• Experience planning and managing capital improvement projects, including utility infrastructure, electrical systems, and mechanical upgrades.
• OSHA, confined space, lockout/tagout, or other industrial safety training.
• Experience developing operational software, dashboards, or digital reporting systems.
• Ability to ski or snowboard in all terrain types.

Core Competencies:

• Technical Mastery -– deep working knowledge of high-pressure water, compressed air, and automated snowmaking systems, with the ability to troubleshoot equipment directly.
• Data-Driven Decision Making — reads weather and production data in real time to adjust snowmaking plans before conditions force a reactive call.
• Safety Leadership — enforces PPE, confined space, and lockout/tagout protocols without exception in a high-hazard operating environment.
• Crisis Response — stays calm and decisive during equipment failures and critical operational situations, often in the middle of the night.
• Team Development — builds, trains, and retains a reliable multi-shift crew through a physically demanding season.
• Cross-Departmental Collaboration — aligns snow depth targets and terrain priorities with Grooming, Lift Operations, and Ski Patrol.

Work Environment:

• Mountain resort setting with extreme winter weather, including subzero temperatures, high winds, and heavy snow.
• Requires extended hours, including nights, weekends, holidays, and on-call rotations throughout the snowmaking season.
• Must be able to work outdoors for prolonged periods in severe winter weather, and walk long distances over snow-covered and uneven terrain.
• Must be able to climb ladders, work from elevated platforms, and access confined spaces while following established safety procedures.
• Must be able to lift and move equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.

Success Metrics:

• Terrain opening on schedule against seasonal targets.
• Snowmaking cost per acre-foot (water and energy) versus budget.
• Equipment uptime and preventative maintenance compliance for pumps, compressors, and guns.
• Safety incident rate within snowmaking operations.
• Completion and upkeep of the SOP library and documentation standards

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Job duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned, at any time with or without notice. Arizona Snowbowl is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role; please contact Human Resources to request an accommodation.