Equipment Program Manager

Role Purpose

The Equipment Program Manager is responsible for driving equipment performance, reliability, and continuous improvement across manufacturing operations. This role serves as a technical subject matter expert and strategic partner to operations, maintenance, engineering, and leadership teams to ensure the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of manufacturing equipment. The role requires strong technical expertise, project management skills, and the ability to influence cross-functional teams in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead equipment performance improvement initiatives focused on safety, reliability, quality, productivity, and cost reduction.
• Serve as a technical resource and subject matter expert for manufacturing equipment and associated systems.
• Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and Supply Chain teams to identify and resolve equipment-related issues.
• Support the planning, execution, startup, and optimization of new equipment installations and capital projects.
• Coordinate equipment upgrades, process improvements, and equipment modification activities.
• Monitor equipment performance trends and develop action plans to improve overall equipment effectiveness and reliability.
• Analyze equipment failures and recurring issues to identify root causes and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Work with equipment manufacturers, suppliers, and contractors to support troubleshooting, repairs, upgrades, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Assist in establishing equipment standards, maintenance strategies, spare parts requirements, and equipment lifecycle plans.
• Lead or support cross-functional project teams and ensure projects are completed safely, on time, and within budget.
• Develop technical documentation, operating procedures, and best practices to support equipment performance and standardization.
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to operations, maintenance, and engineering personnel as needed.
• Support the development and execution of site continuous improvement initiatives.
• Identify and mitigate equipment-related safety and operational risks.
• Support startup, commissioning, qualification, and ramp-up activities for new manufacturing lines and equipment.
• All other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of manufacturing equipment, maintenance practices, reliability concepts, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical projects and drive results through cross-functional teams.
• Experience troubleshooting complex equipment and solving operational challenges.
• Ability to analyze equipment performance data and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Strong project management, organizational, and prioritization skills.
• Effective communication and relationship-building skills across all levels of the organization.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Experience working with equipment vendors, contractors, and service providers.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making capabilities.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Experience & Qualifications

• Experience supporting manufacturing equipment, maintenance, reliability, operations, capital projects, or related technical functions.
• Experience leading equipment-related improvement initiatives and cross-functional projects.
• Experience in high-volume manufacturing environments preferred.
• Solar, semiconductor, battery, electronics, automotive, advanced manufacturing, or similar industry experience is preferred.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated technical expertise and a successful track record in manufacturing equipment, operations, maintenance, reliability, or project management are strongly preferred.

Working Conditions

• Able to work extended hours as needed.
• Continuous exposure to manufacturing environments, including noise, temperature variations, and industrial equipment.
• Must wear required personal protective equipment while onsite.
• May be required to work after hours, weekends, or holidays to support critical operational needs.

Physical Requirements

• Requires prolonged standing, walking, sitting, lifting, pushing, pulling, and climbing.
• Ability to routinely work in manufacturing and industrial environments.
• Must be able to safely perform all essential job functions.
• Ability to communicate effectively with employees, contractors, and vendors in operational areas.