The Vice President – Continuous Improvement and Reliability Engineering is responsible for establishing and driving a culture of operational excellence, equipment reliability, and process optimization across the enterprise. This role leads initiatives focused on asset performance, downtime reduction, lean transformation, and total productive maintenance (TPM), while ensuring alignment with corporate goals for quality, safety, cost, and sustainability. The VP will manage a team of CI leaders, reliability engineers, and maintenance strategists to standardize and elevate operational performance across multiple sites or business units.
Operational Excellence Leadership:
Develop and execute a comprehensive strategy for continuous improvement (CI) across operations.
Lead Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen initiatives that enhance productivity, quality, and throughput.
Reliability Engineering Governance:
Oversee reliability-centered maintenance (RCM), predictive maintenance (PdM), and root cause analysis (RCA) programs.
Champion asset lifecycle management strategies to optimize OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness).
Performance Management:
Define and monitor KPIs for process efficiency, downtime, MTBF/MTTR, and CI project ROI.
Drive a data-driven approach to performance optimization using CMMS, ERP, and analytics tools.
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
Work with engineering, production, quality, and EHS teams to implement sustainable solutions.
Partner with supply chain and procurement to align reliability requirements with vendor selection and spare part management.
Change Management & Culture Building:
Promote a culture of continuous learning and improvement across all levels of the organization.
Provide training, mentoring, and leadership development for CI and maintenance teams.
Technology & Innovation:
Lead digital transformation initiatives like condition monitoring, IoT-based asset tracking, and AI-driven failure prediction.
Evaluate and implement advanced technologies for automation, diagnostics, and performance monitoring.
Compliance & Risk Mitigation:
Ensure engineering and maintenance practices comply with regulatory, quality, and safety standards.
Reduce operational risk by proactively addressing failure modes and critical equipment vulnerabilities.
Enterprise-wide Continuous Improvement Strategy
Asset Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability (RAM)
Lean Manufacturing & Six Sigma Deployment
Predictive Maintenance and Condition Monitoring
Digitalization of Maintenance & Reliability Functions
Sustainable Cost and Waste Reduction Programs
Deep knowledge of reliability engineering principles (RCM, FMEA, Weibull analysis, PdM, TPM).
Strong command of Lean Six Sigma tools (DMAIC, value stream mapping, Kaizen, 5S).
Familiarity with CMMS, EAM platforms, and IIoT-based reliability technologies.
Proven ability to lead multi-site reliability and CI initiatives.
Skilled in aligning teams to strategic goals and driving accountability.
Expertise in data analytics, KPI dashboards, and ROI analysis for CI projects.
Advanced project management and change leadership skills.
Ability to communicate complex strategies across technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Experience in coaching frontline teams and developing future CI leaders.
Education:
B.E./B.Tech in Mechanical, Industrial, Electrical, or related Engineering discipline
Master’s Degree or MBA (preferred)
Certifications:
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt (mandatory)
Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP) or equivalent (preferred)
PMP (optional but valued)
Experience:
Minimum 18–25 years in manufacturing or industrial operations
At least 8–10 years in a senior leadership role overseeing CI, maintenance, or engineering excellence