Reliability Engineer Jobs in Madison, WI (NOW HIRING)

Position Overview:

The Asset Reliability Manager serves as the strategic owner of Foremost Farms' asset reliability vision, standards, and governance framework. This role defines enterprise-wide reliability requirements for production facility assets-covering work management, preventive maintenance (PM)/predictive maintenance (PdM) programs, asset strategies, equipment standards, data governance, and KPI structures-and ensures consistent adoption across all plants.

The Asset Reliability Manager leads equipment reliability maturity efforts, capability building, and cross-functional alignment with Operations, Quality, Finance, and Engineering for equipment care.

Key Accountabilities:

Reliability Strategy & Governance

• Define and maintain corporate standards for computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) data structure, asset hierarchy, work management processes, PM/PdM methodologies, and documentation requirements.

• Establish KPI definitions, governance expectations, and reporting structures aligned with industry benchmarks.

• Review system and network performance trends and lead enterprise improvement strategies.

Preventive Maintenance (PM)/Predictive Maintenance (PdM) Program Ownership

• Conduct asset criticality analyses and define preventive and predictive maintenance standards.

• Ensure reliability practices comply with regulatory requirements (PMO, FDA, USDA, 3A Sanitary Standards, and state inspections).

• Govern PM effectiveness, compliance, and optimization across all sites.

• Direct integration of PdM technologies and condition monitoring tools.

Maintenance Capability & Training Framework

• Define required competencies for maintenance and reliability roles.

• Establish training pathways, certification structures, and capability development priorities.

• Guide training content needs.

• Build internal capability by identifying skill gaps and reducing dependency on external vendors.

Standards, Audits & Performance Leadership

• Publish and maintain Maintenance & Reliability Standards (planning/scheduling cadence, backlog targets, storeroom practices, lubrication, precision maintenance).

• Facilitate periodic data reviews with maintenance leaders and drive root cause analyses for chronic equipment issues.

• Govern network-wide adherence to standards and oversee reliability audits.

Common Parts & Storeroom Strategy

• Define and maintain a standardized parts catalog across all sites; oversee critical spares strategy and SKU consolidation.

• Partner with Procurement to develop enterprise agreements, inventory policies, and cost-reduction initiatives.

• Ensure parts compliance with sanitary and reliability standards.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, Industrial Technology, or related field, or equivalent experience.

2. 10+ years in maintenance/reliability within food & beverage-preferably dairy.

3. Demonstrated expertise in PM/PdM program design, criticality analysis, planning & scheduling, TPM/Lean maintenance, and KPI governance.

4. Strong knowledge of PMO, 3A sanitary design, and audit documentation requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Reliability certifications (certified maintenance and reliability professional (CMRP)/certified maintenance and reliability technician (CMRT)).

2. Experience standardizing parts catalogs and storeroom operations.

3. Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) overhaul experience on dairy equipment (pasteurizers, homogenizers, separators, fillers).

Physical Setting:

• Office-based role with frequent travel to production facilities requiring time on manufacturing floors and in maintenance areas. ~50-75% travel to plant sites for audits, training, PM optimization.

• Must be able to walk, stand and occasionally lift up to 25 lbs. during on-site support and training activities.

• Exposure to industrial environments including temperature variations, noise and operational equipment.

Benefits:

At Foremost Farms, we believe that you and your family matter most. That's why we're proud to offer one of the most comprehensive and competitive benefits packages in the area - designed to support your health, financial security, and work-life balance.

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance - Flexible coverage with options to meet the needs of you and your family
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - 100% company match on up to 8% of your contributions
• Generous Paid Time Off - Start with 200 hours of PTO (pro-rated for first year) 
• 10 Paid Holidays - Enjoy time to rest and recharge
• Paid Parental Leave - 6 weeks fully paid
• Health Savings Account (HSA) - when you elect the high-deductible health plan
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) - Save for medical and dependent care expenses
• Life and Disability Insurance - Financial protection for you and your loved ones
• Daily Pay Option - Access your earnings when you need them
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Free, confidential support for life's challenges
• Referral Program - Earn rewards for bringing great people to our team
• Career Growth Opportunities - Advance your skills and your career with us

Don't meet every single requirement? At Foremost Farms we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.