Area Maintenance & Reliability Lead

Mars; Ohio; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Mars is seeking an Area Maintenance Lead 3 to oversee maintenance and reliability in a designated production area. You will lead all maintenance activities, drive planned shutdowns, and reduce downtime while ensuring safe, compliant operations.

You will partner with Operations and Improvement teams to eliminate root causes of failures, mentor technicians, and develop area capabilities. The role requires hands-on leadership on the production floor and strong CMMS proficiency.

Qualifications

• 4–6 years of maintenance, reliability, or technical experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience in maintenance planning and scheduling.
• Strong electrical and mechanical troubleshooting knowledge.
• Experience with preventive maintenance programs and maintenance management systems.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office and CMMS platforms (SAP, Maximo, eMaint, Fiix, or similar).
• Proven problem-solving skills utilizing root cause analysis methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead all maintenance activities and resources within an assigned production area.
• Execute planned maintenance shutdowns safely and effectively while minimizing downtime.
• Own area maintenance performance and drive reduction of planned and unplanned maintenance losses.
• Provide technical leadership and support for maintenance execution and troubleshooting.
• Provide after-hours technical support when required.
• Lead Root Cause Analysis (RCA) investigations and implement corrective actions to eliminate recurring failures.
• Own Breakdown Elimination and Defect Management Daily Management Systems (DMS).
• Lead PMO and PM Blitz workshops within the assigned area.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on equipment reliability and operational performance.
• Partner with operators and technicians to identify opportunities and prioritize reliability improvements.
• Coordinate with area leadership to develop and execute Continuous Improvement strategies.
• Lead preventive and predictive maintenance programs.
• Coordinate maintenance shutdowns, runtime maintenance activities, and equipment rebuilds.
• Manage contractor resources supporting maintenance activities in the area.
• Partner with planners and maintenance coordinators to prioritize and schedule work.
• Ensure quality completion of work orders, preventive maintenance tasks, and reliability actions.
• Support the development and execution of 30/60/90-day reliability improvement plans.
• Maintain equipment criticality assessments and spare parts strategies.
• Lead equipment modification projects, including design review, vendor management, quotation development, and execution.
• Manage maintenance resources and area maintenance budgets to ensure efficient utilization.
• Develop area skills matrices and technician qualification requirements.
• Coach and develop maintenance technicians, operators, and equipment owners.
• Provide technical expertise and guidance to shift-based maintenance teams.
• Build technical capability across operating teams to improve equipment ownership and performance.
• Follow FMOS escalation processes and drive actions through completion.
• Provide maintenance performance reporting through Value Stream Connection Points.
• Support daily action planning and reporting activities.
• Ensure compliance with all Safety, Quality, and Food Safety standards and procedures.
• Spend approximately 70% of time on the production floor supporting problem-solving, coaching, planning, and execution activities.

Skills

Maintenance planning

Troubleshooting (Electrical)

Troubleshooting (Mechanical)

Preventive maintenance

Root cause analysis

CMMS (SAP/Maximo/eMaint/Fiix)

Microsoft Office

Problem solving

Team leadership

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

SAP

Maximo

eMaint

Fiix

Job description

Mars is seeking an Area Maintenance Lead 3 to oversee maintenance and reliability in a designated production area. You will lead all maintenance activities, drive planned shutdowns, and reduce downtime while ensuring safe, compliant operations.

You will partner with Operations and Improvement teams to eliminate root causes of failures, mentor technicians, and develop area capabilities. The role requires hands-on leadership on the production floor and strong CMMS proficiency.