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Job Overview

This is an opportunity to bring your technical insights and leadership abilities to help transform our operations through Automation and Digitization. The Automation Leader will be an experienced and innovative resource, playing a pivotal role in the strategy, organization, and integration of automation technologies for our processing, packaging, and warehouse/distribution processes. You must be a transformative leader passionate about blending manufacturing excellence, continuous improvement with innovative automation technologies, ultimately crafting and delivering automation capabilities across our operations footprint.

Job Responsibilities

+ Planning: Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for incorporating automation technologies into our operation processes.

+ Lead the Team of Automation and Controls: The Position will have direct reports, the Electrical Engineering Manager and the Principal Obsolescence Engineer will report to the Position. Develop and lead Team effective to their full potential.

+ Automation Integration: Work closely with manufacturing teams to find opportunities for process automation, AGV and LGV applications, robotic systems, AI-driven solutions, human-machine-device interaction, and other relevant technologies. Develop and lead the automation projects pipeline review including feasibility studies, supporting business case creation, and tracking project(s) execution. Build business cases to support next-generation warehouse solutions and present compelling operational impact and return on investment. Identification of appropriate business cases for the implementation of virtual reality and augmented reality into business processes. Identify suitable opportunities to drive business value with AR/VR technologies, and deliver solutions to realize that value utilizing enhanced augmented reality and virtual reality experiences.

+ Technology Evaluation: Stay abreast of the latest automation technologies and trends. Evaluate emerging technologies and assess their potential impact on our operation processes. Make recommendations for technology adoption based on feasibility to improve cost-effectiveness

+ Collaboration: Champion collaboration between manufacturing teams to ensure seamless integration of automation principles. Develop automation roadmaps, and align automation initiatives with business goals and objectives. Partner with IT on software solutions for automation site implementation including internal infrastructure and auxiliary systems integration. Facilitate communication to drive a unified approach to automation project implementation. Provide strong people leadership and inspire the adoption of new solutions.

+ Risk Management: Anticipate and mitigate potential challenges related to automation integration—support assessment of Operational Technology risks and Automation Maturity.

+ Cross-functional Leadership: Lead and mentor a team of site manufacturing mgmt. & engineers to provide guidance and expertise for ideating and implementing automation principles, practices, and projects. Lead cross-functional teams to address obsolesce across infrastructure, cheese make process and packaging technologies.

+ Performance Tracking: Create metrics and KPIs to monitor the success and impact of automation integration efforts. Regularly assess the efficiency gains, quality improvements, and cost savings achieved through design for automation initiatives.

+ All GLC employees are expected to perform any assignment or job task according to the stated safety policies and procedures.

+ All GLC employees are expected to produce and promote our products and services in a manner that exceeds the quality and value expectation of our customers and consumers by adhering to Good Manufacturing Practices, Policies and Procedures outlined in our Safe Quality Food Program.

Required Education and Experience

+ Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a similar field is required from an accredited institution. Masters in relevant Engineering degree is preferred.

+ Min 8 years of proven experience leading manufacturing automation and transformation. Experience leading enterprise or global teams preferred.

+ Comprehensive knowledge of automation practices, solutions, and principles as well as understanding scientific methods of problem solving.

+ Ability to be a strategic and tactical leader who is comfortable establishing, communicating, and “hands-on” implementing the vision and deliverables.

+ Strong presentation, written, and verbal skills with the ability to communicate ideas and recommendations to non-engineer team members and leadership in a clear manner.

+ Familiarity with vision systems and Motion & Robotic Systems (i.e. FANUC, ABB, Kawasaki)

+ In-depth knowledge of industrial low-voltage electrical systems, instrumentation, PLC, HMI/SCADA, and IT Infrastructure

+ Knowledge of Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), Factory IT Systems (physical/virtual servers, networks), and Factory Cyber Security is a plus.

+ Knowledge in automation solutions, such as Rockwell Factory Talk, AVEVA (Wonderware), and PTC Vuforia

+ Familiarity with AutoCAD

+ Must be legally authorized to work for a company in the United Stated without sponsorship.

+ Must be willing to travel up to 50% of the time.

Preferred Education and Experience

+ 8-12 years of proven experience leading manufacturing automation and transformation. Experience leading enterprise or global teams preferred.

+ Excellent analytical skills. Should function at expert level to perform and analyze the mechanical design from start to finish.

+ Demonstrated capability with cost analysis, process design methods, and the ability to integrate all of these skills to a productive cost-effective result.

+ Strong presentation, written, and verbal skills with the ability to communicate ideas and recommendations to non-engineer team members and leadership in a clear manner.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed across multiple sites, office setting, warehouse floor (cold environment) and in various locations as needed.

• Occasional exposure to industrial operations including: temperature extremes from approximately 35ºF to 100ºF; noise levels in excess of 85 dB; moisture and moving machinery.

EEOC & Disclaimer

Great Lakes Cheese is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer.