Maintenance and Reliability Manager

Apply for the Maintenance and Reliability Manager role at Danone located in Bridgeton, New Jersey.

In this role, you will oversee manufacturing maintenance and reliability operations, directly managing adherence to standards of work in maintenance, automation, and reliability teams. You will work closely with the plant director to manage day‑to‑day operations, ensuring a reliable operation, coordinating the activities of technical resources to fulfill customer orders safely and efficiently while optimizing manufacturing costs, quality, and safety.

• Create, develop, and sustain a Spare Parts Stocking Strategy, including stock room management, parts kitting programs, and deployment of preventive and predictive tools.
• Demonstrate MP&S leadership, R&M Cost Execution, PM Pillar/IWS Leadership.
• Perform loss analysis, breakdown analysis, vendor management, mechanic development, and automation leadership.
• Develop lubrication programs and manage utility systems (boilers, refrigeration, air compressors, water, electric systems) and maintenance safety (confined space, arc flash, etc.).
• Provide administrative direction to subordinate departments—Maintenance, Purchasing, Infrastructure, Controls—to meet objectives and effectively manage employees.
• Partner with engineering on the BU and site technical masterplan, including the 3–5‑year capital plan.
• Drive technical solutions and lead project management teams on multi‑discipline capital programs from concept through initial production.
• Deploy innovation and capital projects to improve product quality, productivity, and capacity.
• Lead the BU and Supply Chain to meet sustainability targets, improve reliability, reduce waste, enhance quality and safety KPIs, unlock capacity, and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Oversee professional development of Reliability Leaders and the BU technical team.
• Provide thought leadership across the BU and Technical organization to drive consistency and standardization throughout the site and network.
• Create a collaborative climate with communication, recognition, training, and mutual support among departments.
• Demonstrate technical expertise of plant machinery, equipment, processing, blending, extraction, shelf‑stable products, and related quality knowledge for cross‑functional leadership.
• Show integrity, ethics, and responsibility daily, serving as a role‑model.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally within the organization and with corporate leadership.
• Work with Human Resources in a union environment.
• Manage employment decisions throughout the employee life cycle (hiring, performance evaluation, retention, employee relations).
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Ensure adherence to plant standards—GMP, AIB, FDA, IWS, quality, safety, finance, ISO, daily direction setting, driving OE. Participate in and own Integrated Work Systems (IWS) implementation and development, covering Leadership, Loss Elimination, Progressive Maintenance, Education & Training, Supply Network, Initiative Management, Quality, Environmental Health and Safety, Autonomous Maintenance, Organization. Aim for 100% ownership and zero loss.

Danone North America offers a performance‑based bonus and a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage, 401(k) plan, wellness program, life insurance, tuition reimbursement, flexible time off, and paid parental bonding leave.

• High school diploma or GED required; bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical field (mechanical, electrical, or chemical) preferred.
• At least 5 years of operational and management experience in food or beverage manufacturing; 10+ years preferred.
• Formal project management training or certifications preferred; experience leading and managing technical disciplines and budgets in manufacturing is essential.
• Operational expertise with TPM principles (pillars, systems, standard work) highly desired.
• Strong background in driving performance through reliability improvements and loss reduction.
• Proficient with AutoCAD, MS Project, SAP PM (or equivalent CMMS).
• Experience developing individuals and teams for high…