Reliability Program Manager Jobs in Akron, OH (NOW HIRING)

Primary Purpose of Job

Under the direction of the Plant Manager, this position is responsible for leading and directing maintenance resources to the fulfillment of Howmet Wheels Cleveland business objectives. This position leads and is directly accountable for providing technical expertise and leadership for overall mechanical and electric equipment systems. Direct reports may include, but not limited to, - Maintenance Area Leads, Maintenance Planner Technical Controls Specialists and Maintenance Supervisors The incumbent communicates continually with the Wheels Cleveland Operations Lead Team and other site leaders. External contacts include mechanical and electrical contractors and suppliers. 

Accountability Objectives

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Developing policies and setting expectations to ensure that EHS objectives, activities, and plans are achieved. 
• Leading and participating in the development of an independent culture and an incident free workplace. 

What does this mean?

• Managing and maintaining relationships with contractors and service providers for the Wheels Cleveland Operations Maintenance organization.
• Managing and setting expectations for the Wheels Cleveland Operations Maintenance organizations.
• Leading change strategies such as the Reliability Excellence program to increase proactive maintenance by optimizing Cleveland Operations’ maintenance resources. 
• Lead in a manner that drives the identification, implementation and documentation of maintenance and reliability best practices.  Connect with other Howmet Wheels locations and outside companies to benchmark and share best practices. 
• Ensuring that preventative and responsive maintenance resources and programs are in place to support a 24/7 manufacturing operation that covers an asset base of 300+ million and four plants including manufacturing and office space. 
• Promoting and leading the development and application of predictive maintenance, Root Cause Analysis, Total Productive Maintenance, and control/capability of critical processes. 
• Identify, procure and install predictive monitoring equipment.  Identify, implement and document maintenance and reliability best practices.   
• Identify and evaluate opportunities for cost reduction and/or productivity improvements with regards to maintenance activities, particularly seeking to minimize the investment required for spare parts and maintenance supplies. 
• Drive and support a reliability systems and culture throughout the maintenance organization moving from reactive maintenance to preventative/proactive maintenance.
• Evaluate equipment failures and failure history to identifying and recommend potential capital or expense projects to eliminate equipment failures. 
• Achieving and exceeding key measurable items including OEE, OA (operational availability), MTBF, MTTR, PM compliance, and safety to support the plant’s daily delivery metrics. 
• Coach and develop skills of direct and indirect reports.  Partner with the Human Resources function to establish, coordinate and monitor department-specific people systems (performance management, reward and recognition, compensation, employee engagement, employee development, succession planning, hiring process, new employee onboarding, etc).
• Participating in the identification, recruitment, training, appraisal, and professional development of maintenance resources.
• Ensuring that Works Engineering Contracting Out and Grievance handled per the current Labor Agreement by participating in the 2nd and 3rd steps of the Grievance process.
• Managing applicable labor issues effectively within area of responsibility.
• Performing other duties as assigned. 
   

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

For this position to be successful, the incumbent should have:

• A bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field from an accredited institution, or a minimum of 10 years of previous maintenance experience in a heavy industrial manufacturing environment or combination of degree and equivalent experience in understanding and using:
• • Hydraulic schematics 
  • Electrical schematics
  • Mechanical schematics
  • PLC Ladder logic
• Intermediate to Advanced skills in Microsoft Office.
• This position is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), which requires U.S. person status. ITAR defines U.S. person as an U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e. ‘Green Card Holder’), Political Asylee, or Refugee. 

Preferred Qualifications

For this position to be successful, preference is given to candidates with: 

• Previous experience leading teams and delivering results in an operations environment
   
• High sense of urgency, with a focus on follow through to ensure the maintenance team is well prioritized and fully utilized.
• Highly organized, with a strong sense of appropriate prioritization.
• Proficient in management of departmental finances; controlling costs and meeting budget expectations each month.
• Experience managing maintenance resources in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience working in a unionized environment. Including, fostering a respectful and engaging relationship with our union leaders.
• Ability to demonstrate experience developing, implementing, and maintaining preventative maintenance programs.
• Experience in the forging industry, or other metalworking industry.
• Knowledge of Maintenance and Engineering practices other standard practices normally acquired through extensive experience in various technical assignments. 
• The ability to effectively communicate and delegate while maintaining forward motion on key deliverables. 
• A high degree of interpersonal skills to motivate and influence others, including those not under his/her direct supervision.
• Demonstrated problem solving, systems thinking, project management, and team building abilities.
• Proactive ownership of maintenance staffing model, including sourcing external talent, developing internal talent, and supporting and helping to lead skilled trade apprenticeship program.

Working Conditions

This position involves minimal exposure to risk of accident and requires following basic safety precautions. Work is normally performed in a shared work environment divided between an interior office space, the shop floor, and outside spaces across the Cleveland Operations’ campus. While not exposed to hazardous materials, this position requires wearing full PPE to protect from mobile equipment and hot materials when on the shop floor. 

This position requires moderate physical activity, such as walking, sitting, and standing for extended periods of time, as well as climbing stairs and ladders and engaging in all motions necessary to inspect and troubleshoot equipment. 

This position also requires a willingness to maintain a flexible work schedule, be available and on-call 24/7, and travel domestically and internationally, as requested. 
Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE: HWM), headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a leading global provider of advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries. Our primary businesses focus on jet engine components, aerospace fastening systems, titanium structural parts and forged wheels. With $8.3 Billion in revenue in 2025, our products play a crucial role in enabling fuel efficiency and lightweighting, contributing to our customers’ success and making a positive impact on the world. To learn more about the way Howmet Aerospace Inc. is advancing the sustainability of our customers, markets, and communities where we operate