Reliability Team Leader

Description

The Reliability Team Leader is responsible for developing, implementing, and leading preventive and corrective maintenance programs for a network of three (3) biotech pilot manufacturing facilities. This role provides enterprise-level maintenance leadership while maintaining direct operational ownership at the Maple Grove pilot facility.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain direct operational ownership at the Maple Grove pilot facility
• Lead the configuration and deployment of the computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) or equivalent maintenance software across all three pilot plants
• Establish standardized: Preventive maintenance (PM) strategies and task libraries, asset hierarchies and equipment records, work request and work order processes, maintenance KPIs and performance reporting
• Work closely with the maintenance software vendor to ensure the system supports pilot plant operations, startup, and future growth
• Ensure all new assets and equipment installed post-startup are properly configured within the maintenance system, including PMs, spare parts, and documentation
• Directly manage and oversee the maintenance team at Maple Grove, including: Mechanical technicians, Instrumentation technicians, Electrical technicians
• Provide functional leadership to Maintenance Planners at the other two pilot plants
• Cook up and manage coordination and management of external contractors and service providers for specialized maintenance, repairs, and outages as appropriate
• Ensure maintenance activities are executed efficiently, safely, and in compliance with site requirements
• Monitor equipment performance and maintenance history to identify repeated or premature failures
• Conduct failure analysis and root cause investigations for equipment with higher-than-desired failure frequency
• Develop and implement strategies to improve reliability, including: PM optimization, component upgrades, spare parts strategy adjustments, vendor engagement
• Drive continuous improvement in maintenance effectiveness and asset availability
• Spare Parts & Inventory Management: Establish and maintain spare parts inventory levels appropriate to support preventive and corrective maintenance activities, balance equipment reliability needs with cost control, ensure spare parts data is properly managed within the maintenance system
• Budget & Financial Management: Develop, manage, and control the maintenance budget for the pilot plant network, track maintenance costs, contractor spend, and material usage, identify cost-saving opportunities while maintaining safety and reliability standards
• Safety & Compliance: Demonstrate and reinforce a strong personal and professional safety record, actively support and promote a “Zero Harm” safety culture, ensure maintenance work (including contractor work) is planned and executed safely, require routine use of Job Safety Analysis (JSA) to plan maintenance tasks, stop work when unsafe conditions or behaviors are identified, ensure maintenance activities comply with site safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work collaboratively with: Operations, Quality and Microbiology, EHS, Engineering, Logistics and Supply Chain, Support pilot plant objectives by aligning maintenance activities with production schedules, testing campaigns, and client deliverables, Communicate clearly and professionally across departments and sites

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Maintenance Management, Industrial Technology, or a related technical field or equivalent experience
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive maintenance experience in industrial, biotech, pharmaceutical, chemical, or pilot plant environments
• Proven experience implementing or administering a CMMS or maintenance management system
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing technical teams and contractors
• Strong understanding of: Preventive and predictive maintenance; Mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation systems; Maintenance planning and scheduling
• Strong safety mindset with demonstrated commitment to safe work practices
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills

Preferred Experience

• Supporting pilot plants, process development facilities, or multi-site operations
• Reliability engineering or asset management experience
• Familiarity with regulated manufacturing environments
• Experience with construction-to-startup transitions
• Formal training in root cause analysis methodologies

Job Benefits

• Comprehensive suite of health insurances, supplemental benefits, and paid time off
• Paid time off that accrues from your hire date
• 13 paid holidays, including a winter closure between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day
• 401(k) retirement plan with up to 6% match on compensation (no vesting period!)
• Discretionary Incentive Plan based on organizational and individual performance
• 100% employer-paid short-term disability and life insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Section 125 Flexible Spending Plan for medical and dependent care
• Commuter pre-tax benefit
• Full access to LinkedIn Learning’s suite for professional development
• Free parking, casual dress code, free snacks and beverages, and on-site gym access at both offices
• Fun on and off-site employee activities sponsored by the Employee Engagement Committee
• And much more