Reliability & Automation Manager

LifeMade Products LLC; Erlanger (KY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

LifeMade Products LLC in Kentucky seeks a Senior Maintenance Leader for a 24/7 injection molding operation. You will supervise maintenance and controls technicians, direct vendors, and drive automation to maximize uptime and OEE.

The role focuses on preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance, reliability strategies, root-cause analysis, and cost control, with a proactive, data-driven approach and compliance with safety and ISO standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Industrial Maintenance, or related field.
• 7+ years manufacturing maintenance experience with injection molding.
• 3+ years leadership experience managing maintenance team.
• Strong knowledge of PLC control and programming, HMIs, VFDs, servo systems, robotics, and industrial networking.
• Experience with reliability-centered maintenance, TPM, and predictive maintenance.

Responsibilities

• Lead preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance to maximize OEE.
• Develop and implement machine reliability strategies to reduce downtime.
• Manage maintenance technicians, controls technicians, and outside contractors.
• Oversee automation and controls systems including PLCs, HMIs, robotics, vision systems.
• Improve preventive/predictive maintenance programs and drive proactive maintenance.
• Analyze downtime data and lead root-cause corrective action.
• Build predictive maintenance capability with condition monitoring and thermography.
• Manage budgets, spare parts, and capital projects.
• Ensure OSHA/safety/ISO compliance and support continuous improvement.

Skills

leadership

team management

problem solving

data analysis

lean manufacturing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

PLC control

HMI/SCADA

VFDs/servo systems

robotics

industrial networking

CMMS

Job description

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 Function

• sLead 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 Qualificatio

• nsBachelor’s degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Industrial Maintenance, or related field preferre
• d.7+ years of manufacturing maintenance experience with Injection Moldin
• g.3+ years of leadership experience managing maintenance team
• s.Strong knowledge of PLC control and programming, HMIs, VFDs, servo systems, robotics, and industrial networkin
• g.Experience with reliability-centered maintenance (RCM), total productive maintenance (TPM), and predictive maintenance program
• s.Proven success reducing downtime and improving equipment reliabilit

y.Preferred Experie

• nceInjection molding, packaging, food processing, or high-speed manufacturing environmen
• ts.Multi-platform press fleets (Netstal, Arburg, Sumitomo) and integrated automati
• on.CMMS syst
• emsSix Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, or reliability certifications such as CMRP or C

RL.Physical Requirem

entsThe 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 5
• 0lbsMust be able to push/pull up to 4
• 0lbsMust be able to stand and carry consisten
• tly.Ability to wear required PPE including hearing protection, safety glasses, and safety toed s
• hoesMust be able to work near/with machinery and hand t
• oolsMust have adequate abilities to hear, see and sp
• eak.Moderate exposure to cold, heat, & n