Automation Engineering Department Head

Automation Engineering Department Head

Lead and direct a group of Engineers and Technicians that are responsible for the Fiber Processing Area (FPA), Warehouse/Shipping, and automated equipment across the facility. Establish, prioritize, & execute a project and process improvement portfolio that delivers new products and process capabilities to meet business objectives. Develop & deploy in-depth technical talent that solves problems by creating and institutionalizing advanced understanding in core technology areas.

Key Responsibilities:

• Objectively assess department needs to help ensure equipment can meet output requirements in all areas of the plant.
• Establish strategy & portfolio that brings engineering & innovation solutions to meet business needs.
• Partner with Operations to understand equipment performance requirements for automated equipment that translates to efficient and lean staffing models.
• Act as facility main POC on for all Automation and utilize MIE for new product/process transfers to establish an efficient integration into plant production. Partner with our Division Engineering & Technology groups to execute division strategy for 5-year automation roadmap.
• Champion the use of key PEX and Project Management tools to help create rigor and structure to the execution of project and process improvements.
• Interpret business needs & incorporate them into project team goals. Integrate project details with management needs to form a well-articulated & executable project direction. Engage with project leaders & stakeholders to clarify and adjust direction.
• Secure, motivate, and integrate people into project teams (direct reports & matrix team members) on critical opportunities and problems.
• Set expectations for the team to develop fundamental understanding & deep process knowledge. Coach & provide feedback on the approach. Drive teams to apply & institutionalize these learnings into Manufacturing & Engineering systems to ensure sustainability.
• Engage with Development to maintain awareness of technology inventory in R&D and externally. Be an advocate to pull in new technologies.
• Manage department and project budgets and forecasts and participate in monthly reviews with finance.
• Excel at managing formal people processes and informal people development. Provide coaching for broad & deep personal development of engineering team. Establish coaching relationships outside of immediate team for personal development.

Competencies (knowledge, skills and behaviors):
Financial Analysis & Management (Engineering), Act with Integrity and Authenticity, Champion Change and Flexibility, Communicate and Engage
- Matrix Management, establishing relationships, Engineering Strategy Formation and Execution
- Setting Objectives, Working with Ambiguity, Leverage Talent, Technical Coaching, Assembling Talent, Technology Deployment and Transfer, Generation and protection of Intellectual Property

Experiences/

Education:

Required Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Minimum of 10+ years of engineering experience with supervisory responsibilities. Significant experience owning and working with Automated Cells. Strong functional understanding of PLCs and controls infrastructure. Experience with collecting and providing statistical analysis on large sets of data related to process performance. Successful technical project management, with evidence of progressive increase in responsibilities. Demonstrated ability to coach and develop people.

Experiences/

Education:

Desired Masters of Science (Engineering or equivalent). FANUC specific experience preferred. Subject matter expert on PLCs (Allen Bradley experience preferred), multiple programming codes, and overall controls infrastructure and integration.

Travel Requirements: minimal Hours of work/work schedule/flextime: M-F. 40+ hours including off hours