Automation Manager

Summary

Plans, organizes, and directs Automation engineering department to meet company objectives.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Leadership And Management Responsibilities

Recruitment and Retention:

• q Recruit, interview, and hire team members for Automation Engineering Department.
• q Communicate criteria to recruiters for Automation Engineering position candidates.
• q Monitor team member turnover; identify key factors that can be improved; make improvements.

Employee and Team Development:

• q Identify individual and team strengths and development needs on an ongoing basis.
• q Create and/or validate training curriculum in area of responsibility.
• q Coach and mentor Automation Engineering staff to deliver excellence to every internal and external customer.
• q Create and manage succession plans for Automation Engineering functions.

Performance Management:

• q Establish clear measurable goals and objectives by which to determine individual and team results (i.e. operational metrics, results against project timelines, training documentation, attendance records, knowledge of operational roles and responsibilities, personal development goals).
• q Solicit ongoing feedback from peers and team member on team member’s contribution to the Automation Services team. Provide ongoing coaching and counseling to team member based on feedback.
• q Express pride in staff and encourage them to feel good about their accomplishments.
• q Perform team member evaluations professionally and on time.
• q Drive individuals and the team to continuously improve in key operational metrics and the achievement of the organizational goals.
• q Coordinate activities of large teams and keep them focused in times of crises.
• q Ensure recognition and rewards are managed fairly and consistently in area of responsibility.

Communication:

• q Provide communication forum for the exchange of ideas and information with the department.
• q Organize verbal and written ideas clearly and use an appropriate business style.
• q Ask questions; encourage input from team members.
• q Assess communication style of individual team members and adapt own communication style accordingly.

Functional Management Responsibilities

Business Strategy and Direction:

• q Know and understand the campus strategic directions..
• q Develop an understanding of the Workcell business strategy as it pertains to Design Services.
• q Provide regular updates to BUM and WW Director of Design Services on the execution of the strategy.

Cost Management:

• q Identify creative ways to reduce cost by streamlining processes and systems (i.e. modification of responsibilities or consolidation of tasks, elimination of non-value-added processes, or complete re-engineering of processes and systems).
• q Utilize tools to monitor departmental cost and cost trends, striving continuously to improve value.
• q Provide feedback to peers, BUMs and WW Director of Design Services on cost and cost trends.
• q Manage creation and submission of project proposals and quotations.

Forecast Development and Accuracy:

• q Prepare timely forecasts for the department.
• q Compare forward forecast results to historical actual results for trend assessment and analysis.

Technical Management Responsibilities

• q Provides direction on design and development activities to improve, modify or design new equipment products and processes.
• q Oversees key projects, processes and performance reports, data and analysis.
• q Selects, develops, trains and supervises staff. Establish individual goals and training plans.
• q Develops, determines and implements policies, procedures and programs.
• q Analyze new components and development tools and provide guidance on their use.
• q Analyzes technology trends, human resources needs and market demand to plan projects.
• q Confers with management and production staff to determine engineering feasibility and cost effectiveness.
• q Ensures proper documentation.
• q Selects correct design concept and fundamental technology used for new products or improvement of existing ones.
• q Design and develop new components or redesign existing components to improve company products.
• q Determines and establishes specifications through engineering calculations and layouts.
• q Adhere to all safety and health rules and regulations associated with this position and as directed by supervisor.
• q Comply and follow all procedures within the company security policy.

Minimum Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering with a minimum of eight years experience required; Masters preferred. Two or more years of project management experience strongly encouraged.