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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Manager – Asset Care

💰 Competitive and commensurate with experience

EngineeringOperationsManagementManufacturingAsset Management

🎯 Role Definition

As the Manager of Asset Care, you are the strategic guardian of our organization's physical assets. This is not just a maintenance management role; it is a leadership position centered on optimizing the entire lifecycle, reliability, and performance of our critical equipment and infrastructure. Your mission is to transition the team from a reactive "fix-it" culture to a proactive, predictive, and reliability-centered mindset. You will be instrumental in developing and executing a world-class asset management strategy that directly enhances operational uptime, improves safety, and drives profitability. This role requires a unique blend of deep technical expertise, financial acumen, and inspirational leadership to build a high-performing team and champion a culture of continuous improvement.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Senior Reliability Engineer
  • Maintenance Superintendent or Supervisor
  • Lead Project or Process Engineer

Advancement To:

  • Director of Engineering
  • Head of Operations / Plant Manager
  • Senior Director of Global Asset Management

Lateral Moves:

  • Operations Manager
  • Continuous Improvement / Lean Manufacturing Manager
  • Senior Project Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Develop and implement a comprehensive, long-term asset management strategy that aligns with the overall business objectives, focusing on asset lifecycle cost, reliability, and operational performance.
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a multidisciplinary team of maintenance technicians, reliability engineers, and planners, fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous professional growth.
  • Champion and embed a Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) culture throughout the facility, utilizing tools like FMEA and RCA to eliminate defects and prevent recurring failures.
  • Oversee the strategic development and optimization of the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS), ensuring data integrity and leveraging its full capabilities for planning, scheduling, and analysis.
  • Formulate, propose, and meticulously manage the annual maintenance and repair (M&R) budget, as well as the capital expenditure budget for asset replacement and upgrades, ensuring cost-effective execution.
  • Drive the implementation and advancement of a robust Predictive Maintenance (PdM) program, incorporating technologies such as vibration analysis, infrared thermography, oil analysis, and ultrasonic testing.
  • Direct all maintenance planning and scheduling activities to maximize wrench time, ensure resource availability, and minimize operational disruptions while executing planned work.
  • Establish, monitor, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) such as Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF), Mean Time To Repair (MTTR), Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), and maintenance cost per unit.
  • Lead complex root cause analysis (RCA) investigations for significant equipment failures, ensuring that effective corrective and preventative actions are identified and implemented.
  • Manage relationships and performance of third-party service providers, contractors, and OEMs to ensure they deliver quality work, adhere to safety standards, and provide value.
  • Ensure strict compliance with all environmental, health, and safety (EHS) regulations and company policies, actively promoting a "zero-incident" safety culture within the maintenance department.
  • Collaborate closely with Operations, Engineering, and Quality departments to align maintenance activities with production schedules and to support new product introductions or process changes.
  • Develop and manage a critical spares inventory strategy to balance the cost of holding inventory with the risk of extended downtime, optimizing stock levels for essential components.
  • Lead the technical evaluation and selection process for new or modified equipment, providing expert input to ensure reliability, maintainability, and lifecycle value.
  • Spearhead continuous improvement initiatives within the asset care function, applying Lean methodologies to streamline workflows, reduce waste, and enhance efficiency.
  • Prepare and present detailed technical reports, business cases for capital investment, and performance dashboards to senior leadership.
  • Conduct regular performance reviews, create individual development plans, and manage the succession planning process for key roles within the asset care team.
  • Act as the primary technical resource and subject matter expert for all matters related to equipment reliability, maintenance best practices, and asset integrity.
  • Oversee the management of facility utilities (e.g., HVAC, steam, compressed air, water systems) to ensure reliable and efficient operation.
  • Drive the facility's asset digitalization journey, exploring and implementing IIoT sensors and advanced analytics to enable smarter, data-driven maintenance decisions.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to uncover hidden reliability opportunities.
  • Contribute to the organization's broader operational excellence strategy and roadmap.
  • Collaborate with procurement and supply chain teams to optimize sourcing for MRO parts and services.
  • Participate in site-wide strategic planning sessions, safety committees, and management meetings.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • CMMS Expertise: Advanced proficiency in managing and optimizing CMMS platforms (e.g., SAP PM, Maximo, EAM).
  • Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM): Deep understanding and practical application of RCM, FMEA, and other reliability methodologies.
  • Predictive Maintenance (PdM) Technologies: Strong knowledge of PdM tools like vibration analysis, thermography, and ultrasonic testing.
  • Root Cause Analysis (RCA): Formal training and demonstrated ability to lead structured RCA investigations (e.g., 5-Whys, Fishbone, Apollo).
  • Budget & Financial Management: Proven experience in developing, managing, and controlling large operational and capital budgets.
  • Maintenance Planning & Scheduling: Expertise in best-practice work management processes to drive efficiency.
  • Project Management: Ability to manage maintenance-related projects from conception to completion, on time and within budget.
  • Technical Acumen: Strong mechanical and/or electrical engineering background with the ability to diagnose complex equipment issues.
  • Lean/Continuous Improvement: Knowledge of Lean tools (e.g., 5S, Kaizen, VSM) as they apply to maintenance.
  • Inventory & Spares Management: Strategic understanding of MRO inventory optimization techniques.

Soft Skills

  • Inspirational Leadership: Ability to motivate, coach, and develop a diverse technical team.
  • Strategic Thinking: Capacity to see the big picture and develop long-term plans that drive business results.
  • Communication & Influence: Excellent verbal and written communication skills; able to influence stakeholders at all levels, from the shop floor to the executive suite.
  • Problem-Solving: A tenacious and analytical approach to solving complex, multifaceted problems.
  • Change Management: Skilled in leading teams through cultural and procedural transformations.
  • Decision Making: Ability to make sound, data-driven decisions under pressure.
  • Stakeholder Management: Adept at building collaborative relationships with cross-functional partners.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor of Science degree in an engineering discipline.

Preferred Education:

  • Master's Degree in Engineering or an MBA.
  • Professional certifications such as Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP), Certified Reliability Leader (CRL), or Project Management Professional (PMP).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Chemical Engineering

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 7-10 years of progressive experience in maintenance, reliability, and engineering within an industrial or manufacturing environment.
  • A minimum of 3-5 years in a formal leadership or management role, with direct responsibility for a technical team and budget.

Preferred:

  • Experience in a fast-paced manufacturing setting (e.g., CPG, Food & Beverage, Pharmaceutical, Automotive).
  • Demonstrated success in transforming a maintenance organization from a reactive to a proactive, reliability-focused culture.
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