Director of Automation Engineering - Program Execution

JB Poindexter & Co•Houston, TX

112d

About The Position

The Director, Automation Engineering - Program Execution will help create and execute the automation project portfolio across J.B. Poindexter & Co., Inc. (JBPCO) business units. This advanced manufacturing leader will build and lead an internal team of engineers capable of delivering automation projects through production launch, using internal capabilities or external automation suppliers. The role works with business units and corporate functions to design, build, install, and launch equipment at sites, and supports automation roadmaps and concept development. JBPCO is a privately held, diversified manufacturing company forecasting over $2.5 billion in annual revenues and employing over 8,000 team members. Its six operating subsidiaries span 60 locations and produce commercial truck bodies, step-vans, utility trucks, ambulances, electric and alternative-fuel vehicles, and expandable foam plastic packaging. The position has a travel expectation of 75% or more. JBPCO provides equal employment opportunities and prohibits discrimination and harassment in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave, compensation, and training.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering from an accredited college or university.
Excellent mechanical engineering skills, with programming and controls capability and knowledge.
Experience with various types of automation, automation vendors, and automation applications.
Experience successfully implementing automation in a traditionally manual manufacturing environment.
Ability to communicate and build rapport with personnel at all levels in a manufacturing environment.
Experience in a high-volume, complex manufacturing environment.
Understanding of manufacturing design elements, tools, systems, processes, and regulatory requirements.
Understanding of design principles and methods including data analysis, DOE, GD&T, FMEA, and DFM/DFA.
Excellent mechanical aptitude.
Solid understanding of computer programming and software development.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.

Responsibilities

Build and lead a team of Automation Program Leads and Engineers to deliver the defined automation project portfolio across JBPCO sites.
Collaborate with business units and corporate central functions to design, build, install, and launch equipment at sites.
Support development of the automation roadmap and concepts with business units.
Develop strategies and initiatives to deploy equipment and procedures that spread improvements across the enterprise and support automation rollouts in plants.
Work cross-functionally and at all organizational levels to gain buy-in and ensure successful project portfolio implementation at business-unit and corporate levels.
Evaluate current production processes and identify opportunities to improve safety, quality, productivity, and cost structure.
Conduct studies to identify production efficiency issues, propose and test solutions, and maintain volume and mix flexibility.
Identify and qualify external automation design and build vendors.
Lead the system acquisition process, from vendor evaluation and request for proposal through system build, acceptance testing, and ramp to rate.
Prepare concept layouts and drawings and document design processes and solutions.
Lead complex system tests and prepare reports.
Improve labor and space efficiency and cost effectiveness while addressing safety, including ergonomics.
Identify opportunities to standardize processes across business units to benefit from economies of scale.
Develop automation organizational skill requirements and gap analyses with business-unit manufacturing sites.
Support skill-gap closure through training and critical production support, leveraging Automation Engineers' knowledge.