In this role, you will define the future of packaging automation across the company; shaping system standards, driving major capital programs, and mentoring engineering and operations teams. This position offers significant influence, visibility, with a primary emphasis on developing, owning, and leading the company’s packaging automation strategy and technology roadmap.

Responsibilities:

• Develop, own, and continuously refine the company’s packaging automation strategy, standards, and multi‑year technology roadmap, including robotics, controls, machine vision, conveying, packaging equipment, and digital/IIoT integration.
• Lead long‑term strategic initiatives that enhance operational performance, sustainability, and automation maturity across all sites.
• Lead and manage multiple complex, multi‑site packaging automation programs from concept and feasibility through design, build, commissioning, and production handoff.
• Provide technical leadership for all aspects of system architecture and integration, including: Mechanical, Electrical, Controls/software, Safety systems, Plant network connectivity.
• Ensure solutions are scalable, reliable, and supportable across all manufacturing locations.
• Establish automation performance metrics and governance structures, including KPIs, OEE drivers, quality/throughput measures, and downtime analysis.
• Use data to identify opportunities, quantify return on investment (ROI), and drive business‑impacting improvements.
• Drive innovation through collaboration with Operations, Quality, Engineering, IT/OT, Supply Chain, and EHS.
• Remove technical barriers, facilitate decision‑making, and guide teams toward successful implementation.
• Ensure all automation solutions comply with regulatory, corporate, and industry safety requirements.
• Lead risk assessments and functional safety reviews, including machine guarding, interlocks, safe‑motion protocols, and validation documentation.
• Develop, maintain, and govern technical documentation and best practices: URS/requirements, System and design reviews, Test plans, SOPs, Training materials, Spare parts and preventive maintenance strategies.
• Identify, qualify, and manage strategic automation vendors, integrators, and technology partners.Enable repeatable, high‑quality deployments across facilities.
• Set expectations, review system designs, mitigate risks, and ensure effective knowledge transfer to internal teams.
• Continuously research emerging technologies and trends; lead pilot programs and proof‑of‑concept initiatives to evaluate and standardize promising solutions.
• Mentor and train engineers, technicians, and plant teams in packaging automation processes, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement methodologies.

• Requires one of the following:
  • Master’s degree with an emphasis in Engineering and ten (10) years of engineering related experience
  • Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in Engineering and fifteen (15)  years of engineering related experience
• Advanced knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology including applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various products
• Demonstrated mastery in an engineering discipline
• Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications
• Advanced knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models
• Advanced knowledge of materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of products
• Ability to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems
• Ability to successfully prioritize, and organize long-term, complex research and development projects, deadlines, and tasks in both team and independent environments
• Excellent verbal and written skills necessary to communicate intricate job-related information and clearly explain options and solutions to internal and external customers
• Experience using Microsoft Office, including the ability to create reports, documents, presentations and spreadsheets in MS Word, MS Excel, and MS PowerPoint
• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time, additional travel may be required during critical projects or business demands
• Work is split between an office environment, lab environment or production facility depending on the project
• Experience in consumer packaging or similar industries - as strong plus!