Maintenance & Reliability Manager

Stepan Company; Wilmington (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Stepan Company in Wilmington, NC, seeks a Maintenance & Reliability Manager to lead maintenance, reliability, and asset integrity at our complex chemical manufacturing facility. This plant leadership role partners with Operations, Engineering, EHS, and Supply Chain to develop and execute strategies for safe, reliable, and cost-effective operation.

You will lead maintenance personnel, planners, and contractors, drive a safety-first culture, oversee preventive/predictive programs, and use

Qualifications

• 8+ years of maintenance and/or reliability experience in manufacturing or industrial operations.
• Prior leadership experience managing maintenance teams.
• Strong knowledge of CMMS systems (SAP, Maximo, or similar).
• Experience with preventive/predictive maintenance and reliability tools.
• Proven problem-solving and root cause analysis skills.
• Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the maintenance and reliability team, including planners and technicians
• Drive a safety-first culture and ensure compliance with all safety and environmental requirements
• Oversee execution of preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs
• Implement and sustain effective planning and scheduling processes
• Improve equipment reliability and uptime through data-driven decision making
• Lead root cause failure analysis (RCFA) and implement corrective actions
• Manage maintenance budgets, cost control, and resource allocation
• Partner with Operations and Engineering to align priorities and improve plant performance
• Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) including uptime, MTBF, MTTR, and schedule compliance
• Support capital projects, equipment upgrades, and long-term asset strategies

Skills

Maintenance leadership

CMMS knowledge (SAP/Maximo)

Preventive & Predictive maintenance

Root cause analysis

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related technical field

Job description

We are seeking a highly motivated Maintenance & Reliability Manager to lead all maintenance, reliability, and asset integrity activities for our complex chemical manufacturing facility. This plant leadership staff position will partner closely with Operations, Engineering, EHS, and Supply Chain teams and is responsible for developing and executing strategies that ensure the safe, reliable, and cost‑effective operation of plant equipment and systems.

The Maintenance & Reliability Manager will provide leadership to maintenance personnel, planners, and 3rd‑party contract resources while driving continuous improvement in equipment performance, maintenance processes, and workforce capability. The successful candidate will be a hands‑on leader who combines strong technical expertise with a passion for safety, operational excellence, and talent development.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the maintenance and reliability team, including planners and technicians
• Drive a safety‑first culture and ensure compliance with all safety and environmental requirements
• Oversee execution of preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs
• Implement and sustain effective planning and scheduling processes
• Improve equipment reliability and uptime through data‑driven decision making
• Lead root cause failure analysis (RCFA) and implement corrective actions
• Manage maintenance budgets, cost control, and resource allocation
• Partner with Operations and Engineering to align priorities and improve plant performance
• Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) including uptime, MTBF, MTTR, and schedule compliance
• Support capital projects, equipment upgrades, and long‑term asset strategies

Qualifications

• 8+ years of maintenance and/or reliability experience in manufacturing or industrial operations
• Prior leadership experience managing maintenance teams
• Strong knowledge of CMMS systems (SAP, Maximo, or similar)
• Experience with preventive/predictive maintenance and reliability tools
• Proven problem‑solving and root cause analysis skills
• Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related technical field preferred

Benefits

Opportunity to lead and shape maintenance and reliability strategy at a critical manufacturing site

Work with a collaborative leadership team focused on operational excellence

Competitive compensation and benefits package

Career growth and development opportunities

• Stable & Growing
• Collaborative Environment
• Make a Difference & Be Recognized
• Committed to Safety & Sustainability
• Value Driven Culture

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

We celebrate diversity at Stepan and are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive environment. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.