Director, Maintenance Cost Optimization

At Danone North America, we are committed to delivering world-class manufacturing performance through purpose-driven leadership, innovation, and continuous improvement. As Director, Maintenance Cost Optimization, you will spearhead cost-effective strategies for equipment reliability, maintenance practices, and site capabilities across our manufacturing network. This pivotal role is responsible for maximizing productivity and quality while optimizing maintenance expenditures and embedding a culture of proactive problem-solving and capability building.

Job Responsibilities:

Lead Maintenance cost optimization initiatives
• Develop and implement strategies to reduce maintenance costs across Danone North America
• Contingency planning for cost control
• Collaborate with Engineering on capital projects and innovation
• Best practice sharing across the manufacturing network
• Supplier and partner management
• Review and implement best internal/external approach to maintenance services
• Partner with Procurement, Engineering, Technical Services and plant teams to deliver strategic, operational, and learning capabilities that support maintenance cost optimization
• Evaluate and execute strategy for reverse engineering and right sourcing

Operational Execution

• Provide leadership in the implementation of using Infosys as an external partner to standardize purchasing practices and reduce overall maintenance spend
• Ensure MVP is optimized to minimize excess spare parts inventory
• Assist manufacturing plants in the development of annual maintenance budgets and forecast updates

The salary range for this position is $135,000-185,000 USD. The exact salary offered will depend on several factors, including the candidate's relevant experience, geographic location, internal equity, and market conditions. Danone North America additionally offers a performance-based bonus and has a strong benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Drug Coverage, 401k Plan, Wellness Program, Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Flexible Time Off, and Paid Parental Bonding Leave, among other benefit plan options. To give our employees flexibility, Danone is a hybrid work environment.

Experience and Education Requirement

• Experience working in maintenance, procurement and manufacturing environments
• Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, Packaging Science, or related technical field; advanced degree preferred
• 10+ years of experience in manufacturing operations or engineering roles within a CPG food and beverage environment.
• Proven success in implementing programs across multi-site operations
• Expertise in TPM, IWS, Lean, and digital manufacturing tools.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Solid technical base refined with extensive corporate and plant experience
• Dairy processing, batching and packaging lines
• TPM, Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing
• Proficient in Excel, Power BI and SAP
• Excellent communication and leadership skills with the ability to influence across functions.
• Successfully skilled at dealing with divergent opinions within project teams and/or external resources

Danone U.S. is part of Danone North America, a purpose-driven company and an industry leader in the food and beverage category. You'll work with some of the best-known food and beverage brands in the world. Our strong portfolio of brands includes: Activia, DanActive, Danimals, Dannon, evian, Follow Your Heart, Happy Family Organics, International Delight, Light + Fit, Nutricia , Oikos, Silk, So Delicious Dairy Free, STK Cold Brew Coffee , Too Good & Co, and YoCrunch.

With approximately 5,000 employees and 13 production locations across the U.S., Danone North America's mission is to bring health through food to as many people as possible.

You'll be part of one of the largest Certified B Corps in the world, working to make sure our company creates real value for people and the planet. Come join our movement for a healthier world: One Planet. One Health BY YOU.

Danone North America is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. It is our policy to give equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to legally protected characteristics, or any other consideration made unlawful by applicable federal, state/provincial and/or local law. For our EEO policy statement and your EEO rights under law click here.

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