
Reliability & Engineering Manager
IFF · Memphis, TN
- Level
- Manager
- Team
- Reliability
- Degree
- Required (or equivalent experience)
- Experience asked
- 10+ years
- Industry
- Chemicals
- Posted
- 21 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A management reliability role at IFF (chemicals) in Memphis, TN. Identify, analyze, and resolve recurring equipment failures using reliability engineering tools such as Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA).
- They ask for
- 10+ years · degree required (or equivalent experience)
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, Root cause, FMEA
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Reliability Engineer roles in the US: typical posted base $105k–$145k.
Median of the low and high ends of 182 live postings that list pay, out of 500 reliability engineer openings in the US, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Tennessee plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 7 other live reliability postings in Tennessee.
- Experience asked
- More than usual (10+ vs 5+)
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Root cause 38%
- ✓ Team leadership 38%
- EHS / safety 25%
- ✓ Lean 25%
- ✓ Six Sigma 25%
- Cost reduction 25%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Reliability team at IFF
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: IFF in Memphis
3 other open roles at this site.
- Site Quality Manager · Quality · Manager
- Production Manager · Production · Manager
- Production Supervisor · Production · Supervisor
Full description from IFFAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Job Summary
Are you ready to lead reliability strategy, improve asset performance, and make a measurable impact on safety, quality, and operational excellence in a critical manufacturing environment?
IFF is a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients, and health & biosciences. We deliver sustainable innovations that elevate everyday products.
This role supports our Global Operations organization, ensuring excellence in execution—from reliability and asset performance to safety, quality, and efficiency across the value chain.
The Reliability Engineering Manager role is based in Memphis, TN (onsite) .
Be part of a collaborative, results‑driven, and solution‑oriented team where together we can achieve greatness and make a real impact.
Your potential is our inspiration.
requirements
, including Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), sanitation, and pest control programs.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Where You’ll Make a Difference
- •Lead and coordinate site‑level reliability engineering activities , including asset health monitoring, lifecycle management, and equipment performance improvement.
- •Define, implement, and sustain site reliability strategies , including preventive and predictive maintenance (PM/PdM) programs.
- •Identify, analyze, and resolve recurring equipment failures using reliability engineering tools such as Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA).
- •Plan and coordinate plant shutdown maintenance activities , including direct oversight of contract maintenance crews.
- •Establish and maintain equipment criticality rankings and ensure appropriate critical spare parts strategies are in place.
- •Develop and revise mechanical and maintenance procedures aligned with precision maintenance and food manufacturing standards.
- •Lead and be accountable for the Spare Parts Program and storeroom strategy , including budget ownership and organization.
- •Support capital planning and long‑term reliability initiatives , partnering with Engineering and Operations teams.
- •Ensure all activities comply with food safety and quality
What Makes You the Right Fit
- •Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field (or equivalent progressive experience).
- •Minimum 10 years of manufacturing and/or maintenance experience , with demonstrated reliability engineering focus.
- •Proven understanding and application of reliability engineering principles , including FMEA, RCFA, PM/PdM, and asset lifecycle management.
- •Demonstrated leadership experience in maintenance planning, project management, or team supervision .
- •Strong analytical capability to collect, interpret, and use data to assess risk and drive business decisions.
- •Ability to influence plant personnel at all levels through effective communication and collaboration.
- •Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- •Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and ability to learn site systems and databases.
- •Ability to work onsite and engage directly on the manufacturing floor.
How Would You Stand Out?
- •Experience supporting food manufacturing operations in a regulated environment.
- •Exposure to high‑speed rotating or continuous process equipment .
- •Six Sigma certification, Lean manufacturing experience, or formal continuous improvement training.
Why Choose Us?
- •Opportunity to drive measurable reliability and performance improvements in a critical manufacturing site.
- •Exposure to complex assets and cross‑functional engineering challenges.
- •A culture that values safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- •Career development within a global organization.
- •Collaborative team environment with strong operational partnerships.
- •Access to a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with company contribution, paid parental leave, vacation, holidays, and an annual bonus.
For your awareness, IFF has announced its intention to sell its Food Ingredients Business to CVC Capital Partners. The sale is currently expected to close in the first half of 2027, pending regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.
The Food Ingredient business unit will remain part of IFF until close and, at such time, will transition to CVC Capital Partners. By applying for this position, candidates acknowledge awareness that the role is part of the Food Ingredient business unit and has been identified to transition to CVC Capital Partners.
We are a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering our customers a broader range of natural solutions and accelerating our growth strategy. At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential. We value the diverse mosaic of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, or veteran status. We strive for an inclusive workplace that allows each of our colleagues to bring their authentic self to work regardless of their religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability.
Visit IFF.com/careers/workplace-diversity-and-inclusion to learn more
