Category: Engineering

Employment Type: Direct Hire

Reference: BH-371232

Program Manager of Plant Automation and Digitalization Overview:
The Program Manager - Plant Automation and Digitalization is the primary contact for new initiatives in plant automation, digitalization, and Industry 4.0 at a leading manufacturing company. Responsible for executing the Plant Automation and Digitalization program, this role focuses on enhancing and automating future plants and delivering innovative digital and automation solutions in alignment with the company's strategy. The role involves coordinating people, processes, technology, and information across programs, projects, and departments to achieve cohesive and successful business outcomes through plant automation, smart manufacturing, analytics, and overall digitalization. The individual in this position needs to be analytical and strategic, capable of translating executive-level direction and corporate goals into practical and efficient plans and be able to achieve successful results in a matrix setting through stewardship, influence, motivation, and change leadership.
Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Recruits, interviews, hires, and trains staff in the department.
• Organizes and oversees the schedules and work of the department.
• Provides constructive and timely performance evaluations.
• Handles discipline and termination of employees and in accordance with company policy.

• Cultivate a digital and automation mindset throughout the organization, especially in Technology Development (R&D), Engineering, and Global Solutions.
• Drive the transformation of the company's DRI facility into a cutting-edge "smart plant" by integrating IoT, AI, visual imaging, and other digital manufacturing tools.
• Lead and manage the delivery of digital initiatives and projects in the plant digitization program, overseeing cross-functional teams, program execution, schedules, and budgets, and act as a liaison between project management, planning, project teams, steering committees, and executive management.
• Help shape the digital plant strategy, vision, and roadmap in collaboration with Executive Leadership, Business, and Engineering groups.
• Prioritize and deploy new digital technologies to customers and partners.
• Execute projects in accordance with company program and project management frameworks.
• Provide guidance on external digitization program management, project intake, prioritization, organizational design, and other aspects.
• Foster an innovative, collaborative, and learning culture within the team.
• Identify and mitigate risks and critical paths in projects, ensuring adherence to safety and quality standards.
• Gather and manage requirements to meet project stakeholders' objectives.
• Collaborate with the Engineering team to implement automated processes aligned with safety and quality standards.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards, safety regulations, and quality control procedures in the smart plant environment.
• Offer subject matter expertise in plant automation, electrics, and instrumentation.
• Work with implementation partners and teams to translate business and customer requirements into functional capabilities.
• Ensure scalability and sustainability of plant automation and digitalization solutions, adhering to reference architectures and security best practices.
• Identify and evaluate new technologies to enhance plant operations and achieve customer objectives.
• Establish and maintain relationships with external partners, technology vendors, and research institutions to stay informed about the latest advancements in plant digitalization and smart manufacturing.
• Create, enable, and cultivate a culture of responsibility and accountability.
• Lead by example and operate with transparency, integrity, and respect.

• Comprehensive understanding of upstream and downstream integration layers of equipment and applications in adherence to ISA95 guidelines.
• Knowledgeable about digital technologies and their potential applications and benefits for plants.
• Proficient in smart manufacturing technologies, including IoT, AI, machine learning, and robotics.
• Demonstrated executive-level interaction and operational skills.
• Solid grasp of data analytics, process optimization, and lean manufacturing principles.
• Extensive experience in developing and executing operational strategies within a manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with industry standards, safety regulations, and quality management systems.
• Proactive self-starter comfortable with ambiguity, capable of influencing stakeholders at various organizational levels, and adept at driving outcomes in a matrix environment.
• Problem-solving ability, translating qualitative and quantitative information into actionable recommendations.
• Effective leadership skills with demonstrated sound business judgment, inspiring trust, confidence, and respect from peers and senior leaders.
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills, including oral and written communication, relationship building, collaboration, influencing, negotiation, and conflict mediation across different organizational levels.
• Proficient in project management, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks while maintaining a focus on project and department objectives.
• Growth-minded, consistently seeking professional and personal improvement.
• Exceptional organization, planning, and analytical skills with a process-driven orientation.
• Proficient in interviewing and facilitation, driving towards common solutions that align with business objectives.
• Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills, conveying technical information clearly and concisely.
• Ability to effectively communicate and manage external partners, vendors, and contractors.
• Proven ability, desire, and track record of working with teammates and managers at all levels.
• Strong business analysis and process mapping skills.
• Maintains a composed, professional demeanor under stress.
• Empathetic and compassionate, capable of understanding situations from varying perspectives.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate with individuals and teams across cultures, time zones, and languages.

• Bachelor's degree in Technology Management, Management Information Systems, Computer Engineering, Industrial/Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent experience.
• 5 years of experience in manufacturing industries, with a strong emphasis on process improvement, automation, and controls design.
• Proven track record in team building, people management, talent development, and transformation program management.
• Experience with Industry 4.0 technologies, including Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), Digital Factory Floor/Smart Factory, Augmented Reality, Automation, and/or Robotics.
• Demonstrated ability to develop digital solutions that deliver business-critical outcomes in a practical and effective manner.
• Comprehensive knowledge of overall systems and business processes, with a clear understanding of current and emerging technologies across a diverse range of platforms.