[Remote] Automation Engineering Manager

Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company is a global organization with a high-visibility Supply Chain Engineering function focused on advancing manufacturing capabilities. The Automation Engineering Manager will develop automation strategy, identify and lead automation and controls projects, establish standards, and oversee implementation across manufacturing sites while managing stakeholders, contractors, vendors, and internal resources.

Responsibilities

• The most important qualification for this role is the skill to walk the floor at Scotts’ manufacturing sites, observe the work, talk to operators, supervisors and operations leaders and arrive at opportunities for automating processes. Then collect data regarding production, demand, capacity, labor and other costs along with potential cost savings and cost to automate in order to build a business case to proceed
• Be responsible for building the strategy, identifying opportunity, communicating the vision and leading the implementation of automation within Scotts
• Lead multiple paths of automation: Planning, setting goals and executing for both individual projects and the wider strategy and roadmap for automation
• Communicate the vision of automation to internal and external stakeholders across all levels of the organization. Create and maintain an automation roadmap aligned with overall Automation and Supply Chain strategies. Report regularly on current and planned project statuses to key stakeholders and senior leadership
• Identify, lead, and advocate for automation opportunities. This involves identifying needs, scoping projects, building business cases and leading projects to completion to deliver solutions
• Manage multiple simultaneous projects from business case development through successful startup by developing contractors, vendors, and internal resources. Partner with stakeholders to define requirements, establish parameters, and ensure high-quality delivery. Collaborate across cross-functional teams to drive project success
• Develop standards for automation to aid in all aspects of automation
• Collaborate with other parts of the organization to identify needs around automation to accomplish business goals, creating a plan and executing on those plans
• Partner with other parts of the organization, especially operations, EHS and leadership to develop solutions for automation that provide return on investment, improve safety and increase quality of Scotts’ products
• Lead both OT and IT efforts to ensure standards and practices are optimized for maximum production availability
• Consult with engineering teams at the local/manufacturing site level as they conduct locally-led automation projects

Skills

• Bachelor's Degree, engineering or related technical field recommended
• A high level of experience may be substituted for education if the experience is directly related to the role
• Understanding of automation concepts in a manufacturing environment
• Industrial Robotics (Fanuc preferred)
• A minimum of 4 years of deep experience in the core technical competencies is required
• Knowledge of and experience with conceptualizing or designing automated solutions in a manufacturing environment
• Knowledge of and experience with identifying automation opportunities through Gemba walks, team discussions, and data collection to build business cases
• Thorough understanding of PLC and HMI technologies as well as power distribution (
• Familiarity with industrial asset inventory methods, both automated and manual
• Experience with replacing legacy automation hardware with modern versions
• Understanding of PLC/HMI/SCADA programming
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing multiple projects in a collaborative environment
• Exceptional ability to build and maintain relationships across a network of sites and corporate support functions
• Excellent analytical, interpersonal, communications, organization, resource management, and technology utilization skills
• Proven ability to handle changing priorities while maintaining a sense of urgency
• Strong business acumen, with a solid record of leading change and delivering results
• 7–10 years of experience preferred, with an emphasis on subject matter expertise

Benefits

• This role is also incentive eligible under our corporate bonus programs.
• Medical, dental and vision coverage for you, your spouse/domestic partner and dependents.
• An outstanding wellness reimbursement program.
• 401K match (up to 7.5%).
• 15% discount on company stock.
• Career growth through exploration and experiences rather than a predictable linear path.
• Access to Maven Family Planning.
• Up to $30,000 to accommodate for adoption, fertility and surrogacy.
• Employee Resource Groups focusing on diversity and inclusion, family, education and sustainability.
• Participation in community service and volunteerism.

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