As an Automation Manager, you will play a critical role in driving digital and automation strategy within a fast-paced manufacturing environment. You’ll partner with cross-functional teams to modernize production systems, enhance process visibility, and ensure reliable, safe, and efficient operations. This role blends hands-on technical leadership with strategic oversight, supporting the delivery of high-quality products through an integrated supply chain.

What You’ll Do

You will lead plant-wide automation and digital transformation initiatives, ensuring alignment with global standards while continuously improving maintenance and operational effectiveness. Acting as the technical authority for electrical and control systems, you will guide teams through system upgrades, troubleshooting, training, and long-term reliability planning.

Key Responsibilities

Digital Transformation & Continuous Improvement

• Serve as the site’s digital advisor, identifying opportunities for performance improvement, waste reduction, and operational excellence using digital tools.
• Partner with multidisciplinary teams to enhance real-time data visibility and decision-making across departments.

Technical Leadership

• Lead and assess the technical capabilities of the electrical team, developing and executing training roadmaps.
• Maintain and expand expertise in PLC (Allen-Bradley) and DCS (Foxboro) systems, transferring knowledge to maintenance teams.
• Develop disaster recovery plans for critical automation and electrical assets.
• Provide hands-on technical support during assigned shifts and on-call support as required.

Electrical Systems Ownership

• Act as the electrical site owner, collaborating with corporate stakeholders on all electrical and controls-related projects.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date electrical and control system documentation.
• Partner with site safety leadership to ensure compliance with safety, energy, power distribution, and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local safety, health, and environmental regulations.

Maintenance & Reliability

• Develop and manage preventive and predictive maintenance strategies using CMMS for electrical distribution, controls, and instrumentation.
• Implement maintenance and inspection plans to improve system reliability, sustainability, and asset lifespan.
• Support maintenance redesign initiatives to extend equipment life and improve long-term reliability.

Governance & Capital Projects

• Collaborate with Engineering throughout the full lifecycle of capital projects to ensure successful implementation and knowledge transfer.
• Ensure all new projects align with global standards, OSHA requirements, and safety programs.
• Champion safe system design, installation, and operation through proper procedures, protection systems, and training.

Qualifications

Required Experience & Skills

• Manufacturing experience within the food industry preferred.
• Experience working in unionized environments.
• Proven leadership of multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Strong data-driven problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Hands-on experience with Ignition platforms.
• Proficiency with:
• Allen-Bradley PLCs (all families)
• Allen-Bradley and Toshiba VFDs
• Allen-Bradley HMIs
• Industrial networks (Ethernet, DH+, RIO, ControlNet)
• Working knowledge of DCS and server/client architectures.
• Experience with industrial power systems, control circuits, and instrumentation.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and drawings.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to operate independently in a high-demand manufacturing environment.
• Strong collaboration skills with vendors, operators, team leads, and maintenance trades.

Education & Credentials

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechatronic or Electrical/Electronic preferred).
• Maintenance background strongly preferred.
• Prior technical supervision experience.
• Electrical license preferred.

Special Requirements

• Conversational proficiency in both Spanish and English.
• Flexibility to work any shift, overtime, and provide on-call support across shifts.