Maintenance & Reliability Manager
Wilmington, NC, US, 28401
Pay Grade: H
Applicants must satisfy job qualifications including work authorization, residence and/or language skills for the country in which the job is located unless Company-sponsorship is specifically stated as available.
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
Why Join Us?
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
Apply today to join Stepan Company and help shape the future of our Wilmington site.
#LI-RV1 #LI-ONSITE
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.
Established in 1932, Stepan Company is a major manufacturer of basic and intermediate chemicals including surfactants, polymers, as well as specialty ingredients that go into consumer, household, and institutional products such as laundry detergents, shampoos, and surface cleaners. Stepan Company currently has 19 global manufacturing locations and over 2,400 employees. We have a strong record of growth. Our growth allows us to provide meaningful career opportunities and stability to our team members. We have big goals at Stepan and know every team member will be crucial to achieving our objectives. Regardless of function, we are looking for team members who bring with them a growth mindset, an entrepreneurial spirit, and the ability to thrive in an evolving environment.
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.
Nearest Major Market: Wilmington