Sr. Manager, Automation Manufacturing Solutions

Job Location: Hershey, PA Note: Location preference is local, we will consider a reasonable level of remote work up to 2 days a week for these roles when not traveling for business. Summary: The Hershey Company is the leading North American manufacturer of quality chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery and chocolate-related grocery products. The company also is a leader in the gum and mint category. As a leading consumer packaged goods company, our ability to predict and adapt to a complex regulatory environment while executing strategic projects is critical to our continued success. This candidate assumes a corporate engineering role, reporting to the director of the Advanced Technology and Digital Manufacturing division. In this role, the principal engineering manager works closely with cross functional leadership teams to set strategic direction for manufacturing automation solutions, establish tactical plans for application implementations, and deliver quantifiable business value. A successful candidate establishes strategic partnerships with automation suppliers and integrators and leads the development and implementation of automation solutions across The Hershey Company’s manufacturing and distribution network sites. Major Duties/Responsibilities: In addition, this role leads the advancement of Hershey’s automation strategy, supporting projects to highlight the value of new automation solutions within the Digital Factory roadmap. The successful candidate effectively communicates across all levels of the organization and manages cross-functional teams. They are creative problem solvers who seek change. Day-to-day responsibilities for the principal engineering manager may include the following: Leading the development of sound implementation alternatives (cost estimates, feasibility, specifications, and interpretation of requirements) and recommendations. Leading the development and enforcement of automation standards and best practices. Guiding project teams and technical resources to assess opportunities for the application of innovative designs, performance improvements, technical advantages, speed to market and capital efficiencies for optimum business value. Partnering with key stakeholders and providing technical leadership, direction, and subject matter expertise to key leadership teams. Developing automation technology strategies that enhance Hershey’s ability to deliver to its customers. Coaching engineers and others in the technical community to build technical capability and leadership behaviors consistent with Hershey’s corporate vision. Summary of major duties: Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead a team, practicing personal and team accountability. Recognized leader with supplier companies, internal customers, and within engineering disciplines. Responsive to the demands of the environment and shows empathy for team members’ time sacrifices. Business Knowledge: Demonstrated competency and experience in automation technologies, such as guided vehicles, mobile robots, computer-controlled robots, and augmented reality. Proficient in and knowledgeable of a complex food and refreshment industry with the ability to set strategic direction for manufacturing automation solutions and tactical plans for implementing sound and economical automation solutions. A professional, able to negotiate for the company with external suppliers. Demonstrates ability to apply operational understanding to provide sound solutions. Professionalism: Recognized as a leader and leverages relationships through credibility and experience. Innovation: Exhibits developed leadership judgment associated with new technical solutions. Skilled in evaluating, communicating, and building consensus for new technical solutions. Demonstrated ability to develop automation solutions to deliver business value in a practical, effective way. Organizational change agent with ability to see beyond the current situation and create a strategy, vision, and road map to advance automation capabilities. Demonstrated understanding in the implementation of automation technology and integration within factory operations and employees. Working knowledge of automation integration with factory operation, automation design for collaboration, integration with factory technology systems and security, and automation route mapping and mission deployments. Scope/Scope of Responsibility: Leverages leadership and engineering knowledge, judgment, creativity, and experience to implement the Vision and Tactical Plans for our Automation technology platforms. Provides leadership direction to cross functional teams in the development of sound implementation alternatives (cost estimates, feasibility, specifications, and interpretation of requirements) and recommendations. Provides leadership and accountability for the development and enforcement of our automation solutions standards and best practices. Provides leadership & guidance with project teams, and internal/external technical resources to assess opportunities for application of innovative designs, performance improvements, technical advantages, speed to market and capital efficiencies ensuring optimum business value is achieved during capital project activity. Partners with key stakeholders and provides technical leadership, direction, and expertise to Information Technology (IT), Operational Technology (OT), Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), Supply Chain Quality, Factory Technical Leaders, and other key leadership teams. Responsible for implementing and adherence of our automation technology strategies that deliver enhanced supply chain capabilities. Coaches and mentors engineers, and other members of the technical community to build technical capability and leadership behaviors consistent with our corporate vision. Minimum knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform major duties/responsibilities: Demonstrated ability to develop automation solutions to deliver business value in a practical, effective way. Organizational change agent with ability to see beyond current situation and to create a strategy, vision, and road map to advance automation capabilities. Demonstrated understanding in the implementation of automation technology and integration within factory operations and employees. Working Knowledge of: Automation Technology - AGV’s AMR’s, Robotics. Robots, Cobots, AR. Automation Integration with Factory Operation Automation design for collaboration with Factory Team members Integration with Factory IT & OT systems and securities Automation Route mapping and mission deployments. Strong troubleshooting skills. Ability to prioritize, and understand the required business objectives, develop solutions, control schedules, and drive efficient and expedient project executions. Possess the appropriate skills to execute projects and other job-related duties from inception to completion. Familiarity or previous experience with CI Tools and processes such as Lean, Six Sigma, etc. is preferred to help drive business value and enhance the incumbent’s ability to effectively communicate with the plant reliability, process & quality leads. Soft Skills: The incumbent must possess: excellent oral and written communication skills. innovative and creative problem-solving skills. ability and willingness to work in a team environment, leading team direct and indirect reposting team members. ability, willingness and demonstrated experience in accomplishing project related responsibilities within critical time restraints to meet corporate objectives. Excellent interpersonal skills. Must be open to and comfortable with change. Minimum Education and Experience Requirements: Education: BS Degree in Engineering, Electrical, Mechanical, Automation Technology. Experience: With BS – minimum of 8-10 years managing manufacturing automation & controls solutions Demonstrated experience in automation equipment delivery role, developing and implementing innovative solutions, collaborating with business partners across functions, and delivering within a change management process. Demonstrated leadership experience in the implementation of factory and automation equipment solutions with integration to factory IT& OT systems. Experience in leading/supporting multiple projects is required. Experience across all ranges of factory automation technology.