Director Digital Manufacturing Transformation

Freudenberg Group • Plymouth, MI

2d

About The Position

The Director Digital Manufacturing Transformation will develop and execute the division’s Digital and AI Transformation roadmap, aligning initiatives with business strategy, operational priorities, and measurable value creation. The role partners with leaders across manufacturing, engineering, quality, supply chain, and business functions to identify and prioritize high-impact opportunities across multiple sites and regions.

The Director establishes scalable governance, standards, and operating models for deploying digital and AI solutions while supporting cybersecurity, compliance, and responsible AI practices. The position leads the replication and scaling of proven solutions across manufacturing locations, develops business cases and value-tracking methods, and builds organizational capabilities through leadership engagement, change management, communities of practice, and talent development. It also serves as the primary liaison between divisional leadership, corporate functions, technology partners, and external providers to accelerate transformation and innovation.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Business, Technology, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience leading digital transformation, operational excellence, continuous improvement, business transformation, or Industry 4.0 initiatives within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Demonstrated success improving manufacturing performance through digital technologies, AI, automation, advanced analytics, smart factory initiatives, process optimization, or operational transformation programs.
• Experience working in complex, multi-site manufacturing organizations and influencing senior leaders across operations, engineering, quality, supply chain, and business functions.
• Proven ability to deliver measurable business outcomes such as productivity improvement, OEE gains, cost reduction, scrap reduction, throughput improvement, quality improvement, inventory optimization, or customer-service enhancements.
• Willingness and ability to relocate domestically and/or internationally for future career development opportunities within the organization.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree preferred.
• Experience within industrial manufacturing sectors such as fluid power, motion control, hydraulics, engineered products, automotive, machinery, industrial automation, aerospace, heavy equipment, or similar complex manufacturing environments is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated mobility and leadership potential to assume broader operational, functional, or business leadership responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the division’s Digital and AI Transformation roadmap, aligning initiatives with business strategy, operational priorities, and measurable value creation.
• Partner with manufacturing, engineering, quality, supply chain, and business leaders to identify and prioritize high-impact opportunities across sites and regions.
• Establish scalable governance, standards, and operating models for deploying digital and AI solutions while supporting cybersecurity, compliance, and responsible AI practices.
• Lead replication and scaling of proven digital solutions across manufacturing locations.
• Create business cases, value-tracking methodologies, and performance metrics to ensure initiatives achieve targeted operational and financial results.
• Build digital and AI capabilities through leadership engagement, change management, communities of practice, and talent development initiatives.
• Serve as the primary liaison between divisional leadership, corporate functions, technology partners, and external providers.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director