Director Maintenance Excellence

As employees of a farmer-owned cooperative, we come to work every day trying to honor the tireless effort and care these farming families put in every day, all day, 365 days a year. Our farmer-owners tend to think in generations, with some of our farms being run by the same families for over a century. We carry this approach into our business, knowing that each and every one of us makes a difference in allowing these generational traditions to continue, taking pride in knowing that we nourish our friends, neighbors, nation, and even the world with healthy and delicious dairy products. Our products include milk, flavored milk, yogurt, dip, sour cream, cottage cheese, Italian cheese, and ice cream mix marketed under the Upstate Farms ® , Bison ® , Milk for Life ® , and Intense Milk ® brands.
Job Summary:
The Director of Maintenance Excellence is a strategic leadership role responsible for developing and implementing asset reliability strategies, maintenance programs, and continuous improvement initiatives across all manufacturing facilities. This position plays a crucial role in leading and optimizing the maintenance function by ensuring the reliability and availability of critical equipment, reducing downtime, and maximizing asset performance. The Director of Maintenance Excellence leads a team of reliability and maintenance professionals and collaborates cross-functionally to drive maintenance excellence while supporting operational excellence. This role requires a blend of technical expertise, leadership, and strategic thinking.
Key Responsibilities
Develop preventive maintenance programs to minimize downtime and ensure regulatory compliance.
Develop and execute comprehensive maintenance and asset reliability strategies aligned with organizational goals.
Define key performance indicators (KPIs) for asset reliability and performance measurement.
Establish protocols for responding to asset-related emergencies and breakdowns.
Manage preventive and predictive maintenance programs to minimize downtime and equipment failures.
Implement best practices for maintenance planning, scheduling, and execution.
Develop and maintain equipment maintenance plans and procedures.
Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing maintenance team, fostering a culture of reliability and continuous improvement.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure equipment reliability, safety compliance, and environmental standards.
Deliver training programs to enhance the skills and knowledge of maintenance and reliability teams.
Implement effective asset management practices, including equipment lifecycle management, to maximize asset performance and ROI.
Utilize reliability engineering principles to identify and address chronic equipment reliability issues.
Lead reliability engineers in analyzing asset data and implementing improvements.
Apply root cause analysis (RCA) methodologies to address recurring equipment failures.
Develop and maintain reliability-centered maintenance (RCM) strategies for critical assets.
Develop and manage maintenance and asset reliability budgets, optimizing resource allocation.
Apply cost-benefit analysis to repair/replace and make/buy decisions.
Define and monitor KPIs to assess maintenance effectiveness and report progress.
Maintain comprehensive documentation of equipment history, maintenance records, and reliability strategies.
Promote a culture of continuous improvement within the maintenance department, driving initiatives to enhance reliability and cost-effectiveness.
Implement reliability-centered metrics and benchmarking for improvement.
Collaborate with suppliers and vendors to secure necessary parts, equipment, and services in a cost-effective and timely manner.
Utilize data analytics and condition monitoring tools to proactively identify equipment issues and optimize maintenance schedules.
Oversee the maintenance, repair, and reliability of all production equipment and machinery.
Experience & Education Required:
Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering preferred). Minimum of 10 years of experience in asset reliability, maintenance, or related roles, with at least 5 years in a leadership capacity. Relevant certifications (e.g., CMRP) are advantageous. Proven track record of implementing maintenance and reliability improvement initiatives. Strong knowledge of reliability engineering principles. Familiarity with maintenance management software (CMMS) and predictive maintenance tools. Leadership and team management skills. Effective communication, problem-solving, and analytical skills. Knowledge of safety regulations and environmental standards.
Knowledge & Skills - Required
Troubleshooting PLC-based control systems, Rockwell Software experience desired. Experience with various measurement instruments (temperature, pressure, flow, etc.). Knowledge of industrial control networks and configurations (Ethernet, DeviceNet, DH+). Familiarity with Allen Bradley motor controls and VFDs. Manufacturing experience with PLCs and automation controls. Knowledge of electrical schematics, power distribution, motor controls, PLC logic, HMI, and industrial controls.
Preferred
Professional certifications in reliability engineering or maintenance management (e.g., Certified Reliability Leader, Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional). Experience in asset-intensive industries such as manufacturing, utilities, or heavy machinery. Familiarity with industry-specific regulations and standards. Dairy and/or food processing knowledge.
Confidentiality
The Maintenance Excellence Director is entrusted with confidential information relative to production methods, customers and company strategy requiring a high degree of confidentiality.
Management Responsibility
The Maintenance Excellence Director manages both internal and external maintenance staff.
Work Environment
The Maintenance Excellence Director works both in an office and in a manufacturing environment. Working often in production and maintenance areas to assess equipment and engage with teams, requiring adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and appropriate PPE when in the manufacturing plant. The role requires travel to manufacturing facilities.
Pay: $122,900 - $178,100 a year*
*The salary range indicated in this posting represents the minimum and maximum of the salary range for this position. Actual salary will vary depending on factors including, but not limited to, budget available, prior experience, knowledge, skill and education as they relate to the position's minimum qualifications, in addition to internal equity. The posted salary range reflects just one component of our total rewards package. Other components of the total rewards package may include participation in group health and/or dental insurance, retirement plan, wellness program, paid time away from work, and paid holidays.
Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc. is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic