Director, Automation & Process Innovation

Marmon Holdings•Chicago, IL

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

As a part of the global industrial organization Marmon Holdings—which is backed by Berkshire Hathaway— you’ll be doing things that matter, leading at every level, and winning a better way. We’re committed to making a positive impact on the world, providing you with diverse learning and working opportunities, and fostering a culture where everyone’s empowered to be their best.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering (preferably mechanical, industrial, or automation), operations management, or related field
12+ years of experience in process engineering, automation, operations, and/or similar roles
At least 5 years of experience leading high-performing teams
Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office software products; particularly Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Copilot, and PowerBI
Superior written and verbal communication, including the ability to communicate effectively across all levels of the organization
Strong professional presence and business acumen
Excellent time management, critical thinking, and decision-making skills with a bias toward action
Experience working in a decentralized operating environment is highly desirable
Ability to navigate ambiguity and confidently create appropriate solutions in uncertain situations
Willingness to travel 50-60% of the time (primarily within the U.S.)
Operational Expertise – understands factories, constraints, and how data + automation drive real outcomes
Technical Collaboration – able to communicate effectively with software engineers, automation integrators, and plant IT teams
Project Management – capable of creating frameworks, roadmaps, workflows, and playbooks
Change Management – skilled at gaining buy-in, coaching teams, and driving cultural transformation
Data Orientation – adept at converting business needs into technical requirements and turning data into actionable insight
Organizational Agility – able to manage broad portfolios, complex priorities, and numerous stakeholders

Nice To Haves

MBA or other related advanced degree highly desirable
Previous consulting experience also a plus but not required

Responsibilities

Manufacturing Automation Strategy & Execution Facilitate the creation, review, and validation of 3-year automation roadmaps for each Marmon business
Remove blockers to project selection, justification, and execution, including capital planning, AFE expectations, and ROI methodology support
Manage KPIs for enterprise-wide automation across 150+ operating companies, ensuring alignment with corporate and group-level objectives
Maintain and continuously improve the automation project tracker to increase usability, extensibility, and alignment with group budgets, QBR reporting, and productivity targets
Invent, develop, and support the automation “toolbox,” including but not limited to: Assessments MAP (Marmon Automation Process) Simulation capabilities Operations Connectivity (Factory Data)
Leadership Engage directly with plants to assess operations and identify data-driven improvement opportunities; guide adoption of digital tools that improve performance
Create, test, and refine the value proposition connecting factory data/technology investments with enterprise financial outcomes
Develop and implement a standardized toolbox to accelerate technology adoption and value creation, including frameworks for technology selection, deployment structure, and cross-functional resources
Translate operational needs into technical requirements for device connectivity, data collection, dashboards, KPIs, and workflow transformation
Manage engineering resources to deliver factory data capabilities reliably and at scale
Communicate progress and best practices across the enterprise, enabling consistent rollout and replication
Lead the rollout of “data-driven culture” coaching across engineering, operations, and management levels
Lead efforts to transition MIM technology to business-unit-owned platforms; ensure business success and continuity during and after technology transfer
Manage Marmon’s India-based MIM team, to include: Providing day-to-day workload oversight Identifying and addressing technical and interpersonal skill gaps Ensuring team accountability, quality of delivery, and customer alignment
Develop and deliver a transition plan for moving team resources into business units to support their IoT platforms; work with GIC to structure cross-functional and fractional support models
Establish a management and maintenance plan for legacy MIM endpoints to ensure stability during the transition period
Cross-Business Coaching, Working Groups & Capability Building Own and maintain “Ministry of Automation” group to generate Marmon-level insights, identify and spread best practices
Facilitate working groups (welding, machining, sheet metal, injection molding, etc.) by connecting sites, sharing best practices, and driving hands-on problem solving
Build programs supporting “factory fundamentals” such as maintenance, SOPs, planned scheduling, spare parts management, and OEE visibility
Develop PM playbooks, training material, and frameworks for project gates, risk reviews, and standard work
Talent Development Host and mentor interns; successfully place talent into full-time roles across the organization
Lead and develop a team of engineers, providing ongoing coaching and skill development aligned with business needs