[Hiring] Manufacturing Reliability Director @Dart Container

Role Description

Lead the transformation. Reinvent reliability. Deliver measurable impact.

Are you a proven reliability leader who thrives in complex manufacturing environments and knows how to turn systems into best-in-class operations? We’re looking for a Director of Manufacturing Reliability to be the face of reliability across our organization, someone who balances deep technical expertise with exceptional influence, communication, and leadership to drive lasting results.

We are at a pivotal moment. This role is designed to reinvigorate reliability performance across a large, multi-site, vertically integrated manufacturing network. You will lead the strategy, build capability, and execute initiatives that fundamentally reshape how we manage assets, prevent failures, and optimize operations.

What You’ll Own...

• Serve as the enterprise leader and visionary for reliability
• Lead and develop a corporate reliability engineering team and center of excellence
• Drive the deployment of Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) across all sites
• Build and scale preventive, predictive, and autonomous maintenance programs
• Transform maintenance workflows using CMMS/SAP and advanced analytics
• Partner with plant leaders to assess readiness, elevate capability, and deliver measurable improvement plans
• Lead root cause analysis (RCA), FMEA, and asset lifecycle strategies
• Establish standardized processes, KPIs, and governance across locations
• Influence and communicate at all levels—including executive leadership and board-level updates
• Champion a culture of data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement

What Success Looks Like...

• Increased uptime, reliability, and throughput across sites
• Reduced unplanned downtime and maintenance costs
• Strong adoption of standardized reliability practices
• A more capable, engaged, and accountable reliability organization

Who You Are...

You’re a strategic change agent who doesn’t rely on authority alone, you bring people with you. You know how to blend technical rigor with influence and persuasion to drive real change.

Your Background...

• ~10+ years in manufacturing, reliability, or maintenance leadership
• Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in engineering or related field of study
• Experience in multi-site manufacturing organizations
• Strong background in CMMS/SAP and reliability analytics
• Industry experience in:
  • Plastics (extrusion, thermoforming, injection/blow molding)
  • Paper/paper converting
• Collaborative leader who earns trust through transparency, credibility, and follow-through
• Demonstrated extensive experience in applying and optimizing reliability fundamentals and maintenance workflow processes
• Advanced understanding and experience with Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) programs and principles
• Proven experience developing and implementing Preventative Maintenance (PM) programs
• Demonstrated experience in Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and maintenance work process optimization
• Experience applying Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and (FMEA)
• Experience with predictive maintenance technologies and data analytics
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and influencing without direct authority
• Strong change management skills that drive getting results, generating cross-functional support for initiatives and organizational actions
• Ability to operate effectively in a large matrix organization, taking the needs of multiple functional areas and locations into consideration when formulating, communicating, and executing plans
• Skilled translator between technical and operational teams; able to simplify complexity and drive focus on outcomes
• Passionate about building capability and helping teams deliver better results

Preferred Skills and Qualifications...

• Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP) or equivalent reliability certification
• Certifications in Predictive Maintenance Technologies

Role Structure & Travel...

• Preferred Location: Mason, MI
• Remote role (U.S. based) - This position is available as a remote role in one of our approved locations*
• Travel: Up to 80% (domestic & international)
• Regular on-site engagement at our production locations

Benefits

• Dart Container full-time employees enjoy great benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) with company matching contributions, paid vacation, paid holidays, short-term disability, tuition assistance, product discounts and more.

Company Description

Dart makes everyday products that give people the freedom to enjoy the food & drinks they love, wherever they are. From to-go containers and dinnerware to tamper-evident food packaging and even the red SOLO cup, Dart products have been keeping people on the go and having fun for 65 years. We’re a family-owned, family-focused company of 12,000 employees united by a shared set of values and dedicated to providing exceptional customer service. Headquartered in Mason, MI, with 30 locations in three countries, we’re proud of our ability to innovate, manufacture and lead the way with each new generation of quality products.