Director, Physical Automation

First Quality • Anderson, SC

21d • Onsite

About The Position

First Quality is seeking a Director, Physical Automation for its First Quality Tissue, SE facility in Anderson, South Carolina. The role leads efforts to identify and reduce manual operations in manufacturing, from raw-material unloading through delivery of finished products to customers. The position will develop and execute a physical automation roadmap, with the goal of eliminating human interaction with machines for operations, maintenance, and product handling.

The Director will build business cases and prioritize automation projects, lead cross-functional teams through implementation, and work with suppliers to develop solutions. The role will also establish partnerships with suppliers, research labs, and universities, and prepare the organization for the introduction of new automation solutions. Travel may be required to support multiple sites.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related degree.
• Experience leading TPM or continuous improvement methodologies such as IWS or Lean.
• Experience implementing automation projects to reduce waste and variability in industrial environments.
• Experience working with suppliers of technology, machinery, or automation solutions.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Technical mastery of mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and data systems.
• Ability to manage suppliers and external partners.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams through influence.
• Strong oral, written, and presentation communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Paper industry or consumer packaged goods (CPG) experience preferred.
• Experience with automation such as self-guided vehicles, trailer loading, ASRS, robots, sensors or cameras, automation of manual operations, AI solutions in machines, automated product quality checks, converting line automation, or warehouse automation.

Responsibilities

• Create and execute the physical automation rollout roadmap for FQ Tissue, with a goal of no human interaction with machines for operations, maintenance, or product handling.
• Create business cases for physical automation projects and prioritize their rollout.
• Lead cross-functional teams across operations, maintenance, engineering, business unit leadership, IT hardware, SAP, project management, and product development to execute projects.
• Jointly develop automation solutions with suppliers where applicable.
• Build a consortium of suppliers, research labs, universities, and other partners to support the vision of operations without human interaction.
• Ensure the organization is prepared and knowledgeable as new automation solutions are introduced.
• Travel as necessary to support multiple sites.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary and bonus opportunities.
• Paid time off, with a three-week minimum.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage starting day one.
• 401(k) with employer match.
• Paid parental leave.
• Child and family care assistance through a dependent care FSA with employer match up to $2,500.
• A year's worth of free diapers for team members with a new baby.
• Tuition assistance.
• Wellness program with savings of up to $4,000 per year on insurance premiums.

What This Job Offers

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