LifeMade - Manager, Reliability Automation

Colonial Group; Erlanger (KY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Colonial Group in Kentucky operates a 24/7 injection molding facility and seeks a Maintenance Director to lead reliability, automation, and controls, aiming to maximize uptime and OEE.

You will direct technicians, manage vendors, and implement predictive maintenance, condition monitoring, and TPM/RCM programs to reduce downtime.

The role requires a bachelor’s degree and 7+ years’ experience in a plant setting, with expertise in PLCs, HMIs, robotics, and automation, plus safety and ISO compliance.

Qualifications

• Must have 7+ years of manufacturing maintenance experience in injection molding.
• 3+ years of leadership experience managing maintenance teams.
• Strong knowledge of PLC control, HMIs, VFDs, robotics, and industrial networking.

Responsibilities

• Lead all preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance activities to maximize machine uptime and OEE.
• Develop and implement machine reliability strategies to extend asset life across press fleets, automation, and auxiliaries.
• Manage maintenance technicians, controls technicians, and outside contractors with effective supervision.
• Oversee automation and controls systems, including PLCs, HMIs, servo systems, vision, and end-of-line automation.
• Develop and continually improve preventive and predictive maintenance programs toward a proactive model.
• Analyze downtime data and lead root-cause corrective action using data-driven methods.
• Build predictive maintenance using condition monitoring, vibration analysis, and thermography.
• Manage budgets, spare parts inventory, and capital projects.
• Coordinate with vendors to maintain plant auxiliaries and extend system life.
• Ensure OSHA, safety, ISO, and environmental compliance; support lean initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

PLC control

HMIs

VFDs

Robotics

Industrial networking

RCM/TPM

Predictive maintenance

CMMS

Six Sigma/Lean

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

CMMS

Job description

Position Summary

Leads plant maintenance, equipment reliability, automation, and controls across a 24/7 injection molding operation. Responsible for maximizing machine uptime and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), reducing maintenance cost, and advancing the facility from a reactive maintenance model to a proactive and predictive one. Directs maintenance and controls technicians, manages outside vendors and service partners, and drives automation that improves equipment capability, extend asset life, and support the production needs of the facility.

Primary Functions

• Lead all preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance activities to maximize machine uptime and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
• Develop and implement machine reliability strategies that reduce downtime and extend asset life across the press fleet, automation, and plant auxiliaries.
• Manage maintenance technicians, controls technicians, and outside contractors through thorough job analysis, proper job assignments, training and development, and effective personnel management.
• Oversee automation and controls systems, including PLCs, HMIs, servo and robotics, vision systems, and end-of-line automation.
• Develop, implement, and continually improve the preventive and predictive maintenance program for all equipment, advancing the facility toward a proactive maintenance model.
• Analyze downtime data and lead root-cause corrective action using a systematic, data-driven approach.
• Build predictive maintenance capability using condition monitoring, vibration analysis, and thermography.
• Manage maintenance budgets, spare parts inventory, and capital improvement projects.
• Maintain plant auxiliaries in partnership with outside vendors to improve system capability and reliability, and develop cost-effective plans that extend system life.
• Evaluate facility equipment needs and make recommendations for improvement in new and existing technology, including equipment purchases, ensuring timely ordering and installation ahead of customer requirements.
• Develop training and development recommendations for self and direct reports to keep all personnel current with the latest technologies.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, safety, environmental, quality, and ISO requirements, and manage in a proactive, professional manner consistent with all company policies and directives.
• Proactively support continuous improvement and lean manufacturing initiatives.
• Performs such individual assignments as management may direct. Other duties as assigned.

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Industrial Maintenance, or related field preferred.
• 7+ years of manufacturing maintenance experience with Injection Molding.
• 3+ years of leadership experience managing maintenance teams.
• Strong knowledge of PLC control and programming, HMIs, VFDs, servo systems, robotics, and industrial networking.

• Experience with reliability-centered maintenance (RCM), total productive maintenance (TPM), and predictive maintenance programs.
• Proven success reducing downtime and improving equipment reliability.

Preferred Experience

• Injection molding, packaging, food processing, or high-speed manufacturing environments.
• Multi-platform press fleets (Netstal, Arburg, Sumitomo) and integrated automation.
• CMMS systems
• Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, or reliability certifications such as CMRP or CRL.

Physical Requirements

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• • Must be able to lift/carry up to 50lbs
  • Must be able to push/pull up to 40lbs
  • Must be able to stand and carry consistently.
  • Ability to wear required PPE including hearing protection, safety glasses, and safety toed shoes
  • Must be able to work near/with machinery and hand tools
  • Must have adequate abilities to hear, see and speak.
  • Moderate exposure to cold, heat, & noise