Staff Engineer Automation

Job Location: Hershey, PA preferred

Role Summary:

Reporting to the Sr. Manager Physical Automation, the Staff Engineer Automation is a corporate Engineering role that works closely with cross functional leadership teams to set strategic direction for manufacturing physical automation solutions and tactical plans for the application implementations, delivery quantifiable business value, establishes strategic partnerships with automation supplier and integrators. The manufacturing automation solution delivery should align with the manufacturing network requirements and the and Digital Factory strategy. This individual will be responsible for leading our development and implementation of the advance automation solutions across Hershey's manufacturing and distribution network sites including robotics, machine vision and digital solutions. In addition, this role will provide thought leadership in the advancement of the Digital Factory-automation strategy via projects developing value cases for new automation technology capabilities within the Digital Factory roadmap. The successful candidate must be able to effectively communicate across all levels of the organization and the ability to effectively manage teams of direct and indirect reports.

Responsibilities:

• This individual has demonstrated ability to lead cross functional project teams and will be responsible for team results in the development of Physical Automation projects and opportunities. They will lead and prepare automation feasibility assessments and capital cost estimates for multiple projects, manage and lead negotiations with suppliers and internal customers, and provide direction to team in area of expertise.
• 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.

Qualifications:

Business Knowledge: Identifies changes to standards and industry trends and follow through by recommending changes to Hershey's standards.

• Serves as a subject matter expert in external supplier negotiations. Capable of benchmarking automation related initiatives across Hershey facilities.
• Develops an understanding of key business measures and cost of capital in the development of Engineering and Financial analysis.
• Demonstrates ability to apply operational understanding to provide sound solutions. Capable of implementing the strategic plan and automation systems as a standard for continuous improvement within the manufacturing network.
• Experienced and demonstrated competency in automation technologies, such as AGV's, AMR's, Robotics, Vision Systems, and AR. Leverage proficiency and knowledge of complex food and refreshment industry to implement strategic plans for manufacturing automation solutions and identify sound and economical automation solutions.

Innovation: This individual Implements automation and engineering opportunities to drive business results and able to recognize or create new opportunities and is recognized for engineering judgement associated with unique and innovative automation and technical solutions. They evaluate, communicate, and build consensus within the Hershey network.

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.

Experience & Education:

Education: BS Degree in Engineering, Electrical, Mechanical, Automation Technology.

• With BS - minimum of 7 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.