DescriptionThe Senior Maintenance Reliability Engineer Lead is responsible for driving maintenance excellence across Sabert's plants through the execution of onsite projects and reliability initiatives. This role is hands-on and ideal for an individual who thrives on a boots-on-the-ground approach, actively engaging with plant leaders and maintenance teams to improve reliability, preventive maintenance, and equipment uptime. The focus of this role is to continuously enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of maintenance functions, enabling sustainable operations while supporting equipment upgrades, new installations, and continuous improvement strategies.
Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesReliability & Maintenance Execution
- Lead onsite reliability and maintenance projects that directly impact equipment performance, effectiveness, and longevity.
- Partner with plant maintenance leaders to develop and implement standardized work practices for equipment installation, PM programs, and emergency repairs.
- Provide technical expertise and hands-on guidance on new equipment installations to ensure reliability is built in from the start.
- Ensure compliance with established maintenance systems, processes, and procedures across all facilities.
- Facilitate proactive in-person knowledge sharing and implementation of innovative maintenance strategies to reduce downtime and extend equipment life.
- Implement cost-savings initiatives and support Six Sigma and Lean projects targeting efficiency and reliability goals.
Spare Parts & Asset Optimization
- Oversee centralized purchasing and utilization of high-value spare parts to reduce costs and optimize availability.
- Standardized processes to repurpose, sell, or dispose of unused equipment across the network efficiently.
Reporting, Metrics & Systems
- Define, track, and communicating key maintenance performance metrics (leading and lagging indicators).
Leadership & Team Development
- Provide functional oversight, coaching, and hands-on support to plant maintenance teams.
- Serve as interim maintenance leader at any site as needed.
- Partner with HR and technical training teams to implement consistent development, certification, and apprenticeship programs for maintenance staff.
- Mentor and develop maintenance leaders across the network to strengthen succession planning.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities- Strong project management skills with experience leading complex equipment installations and reliability initiatives.
- Hands-on technician mindset: comfortable troubleshooting equipment and supporting teams on the shop floor.
- Deep understanding of industrial maintenance processes and equipment, preferably in plastics manufacturing (extrusion and thermoforming experience a plus).
- Green Belt Six Sigma certification required; Black Belt preferred.
- Ability to thrive in a collaborative, matrixed organization and effectively influence across all levels of the business.
- Travel required up to 60%
Education & Experience- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, or reliability Engineering (or related field).
- 10+ years of maintenance, engineering and reliability experience within manufacturing, preferably in multi-site organizations.
- Strong background in Preventive Maintenance systems; SAP PM experience strongly preferred.
- Proven track record of executing technical projects and leading cross-functional teams.
