Reliability Lead

The Hershey Company•Edgerton, KS

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Reliability Lead drives equipment reliability, maintenance excellence, and continuous improvement within an assigned business unit at Hershey’s Edgerton, Kansas plant. The role leads maintenance planning and reliability strategies to maximize asset performance, improve operational efficiency, and support the company’s manufacturing objectives. It also contributes to plant performance through long-term maintenance strategy development and collaboration with operations, engineering, and technical teams. The position leads maintenance and asset reliability activities for assigned production lines or process areas, including complex installation, repair, maintenance, and calibration across manufacturing and utility systems. It manages work-order prioritization and maintenance schedules, develops preventive and predictive maintenance practices, leads equipment problem-solving, supports asset management and capital projects, and coaches mechanics and operators in equipment ownership and technical capability.

Requirements

At least 3 years of relevant maintenance, reliability, or manufacturing experience.
Experience with reliability-centered maintenance, preventive and predictive maintenance, Lean Manufacturing, TPM, and continuous improvement.
Experience with SAP-PM or a similar CMMS platform.
Experience leading projects, driving change, influencing cross-functional teams, and applying Root Cause Analysis (RCA) methodologies.
Advanced troubleshooting and diagnostic capability, with a strong focus on safety, quality, and technical standards.
Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline preferred; equivalent combinations of education and relevant manufacturing maintenance experience will be considered.

Nice To Haves

SAP S/4 experience.
Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP) credential.
RCA training.
Predictive maintenance expertise.
Maintenance planning and scheduling expertise.
Reliability engineering expertise.
Safety management expertise.
Capital project management expertise.
Coaching or team development expertise.
Mechanical Engineering degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead maintenance and asset reliability activities for assigned production lines or process areas, including complex installation, repair, maintenance, and calibration work across manufacturing and utility systems.
Manage maintenance planning and scheduling through SAP work-order prioritization, coordinated technical activities, and schedules designed to minimize production impact.
Drive preventive and predictive maintenance programs by analyzing equipment and maintenance data, applying advanced diagnostics, and implementing corrective actions.
Lead root cause analysis, defect handling, troubleshooting, and breakdown elimination to resolve complex equipment issues and improve reliability.
Partner with Technical Assurance on asset management processes, inventory accuracy, maintenance cost effectiveness, and compliance with safety, quality, and technical standards.
Support site capital planning and lead capital or major technical improvement projects, including planning, monitoring, and coordination of required work.
Participate in daily operational huddles, report maintenance performance metrics, identify risks, and drive corrective actions and continuous improvement.
Coach mechanics and operators to strengthen equipment ownership, autonomous maintenance practices, troubleshooting capability, and technical skills.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
Wellness programs supporting physical and mental health.
Competitive pay.
Annual incentive opportunities.
401(k) with company match.
Paid time off.
Company holidays.
Flexible ways of working where applicable.
Career development programs.
Learning opportunities.
Internal mobility.
Performance-based incentives.
Comprehensive benefits package supporting physical, mental, and financial well-being.