Global Automation Technology Center Site Director

Brambles•Grand Prairie, TX

6d•Onsite

About The Position

CHEP is seeking a Global Supply Chain Site Leader to lead its Global Automation Technology Center (GATC) in Grand Prairie, Texas. The GATC is an innovation center for developing, integrating, and testing next-generation automation and digital systems; a global center of excellence for training; and a “Lighthouse Automation Service Center” that models service center operations and supports readiness for automation and digital deployments. The role aims to improve the efficiency, sustainability, and responsiveness of global service center processes. The Site Director leads the Automation Development team and global technical engineering resources, setting strategic direction and developing global standards for supply chain automation. The position oversees concurrent testing, improvement, integration, and deployment of multiple next-generation systems, works with regional engineering teams to transfer technologies, and represents service center operations to internal and external customers. It also manages the site’s annual budget, technology investment, and resource allocation; promotes data-informed continuous improvement; and develops a high-performing, inclusive team. The role is based on site at the Global Automation Test Center and requires independent leadership of technology selection, testing, and operations. The leader works in a highly matrixed organization, coordinating personnel decisions with HR, technology decisions with global partners, purchasing and capital decisions with finance, and technology-transfer plans with relevant teams. A bachelor’s degree in engineering is preferred, while related education may be considered based on experience; a relevant master’s degree or equivalent experience is also sought. The role requires extensive supply chain or manufacturing leadership and automation technology test-center experience.

Requirements

20 or more years of multifunctional supply chain leadership and/or factory manufacturing operations experience, focused on innovation and automation development and deployment.
At least 5 years of experience successfully leading an automation technology test center.
Experience leading automation design, build, test, and deployment cycles for novel and/or complex projects.
Experience in site leadership and/or leading a large team of more than 50 people.
Experience with global technology transfers and large-scale projects.
Experience with Agile development and management frameworks.
Demonstrated experience applying Lean Thinking and Six Sigma problem-solving methodologies in an automation technology environment.
Strong data analytics skills and ability to use data to inform decisions.
Experience developing capital business cases.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
Familiarity with supply chain technologies and digital transformation initiatives.
Ability to adapt to new technologies, equipment, test environments, methodologies, and changing business needs.
Ability to work independently and be on site daily at the Global Automation Test Center.
Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline preferred; Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field may be considered based on experience.
Master’s degree in engineering, engineering management, supply chain, or a business-related field, or equivalent experience.

Nice To Haves

Formal process improvement certification, such as Lean Thinking or Six Sigma problem solving.
Program management certification, such as PMP or Agile development.

Responsibilities

Lead and provide strategic direction to the Automation Development team and global technical engineering resources.
Develop and implement global standards for supply chain automation to support consistency and scalability across regions.
Lead the design, integration, testing, maintenance, and deployment of next-generation automation technologies.
Manage simultaneous testing, improvement, and deployment of multiple global automation and technology systems.
Coordinate technology transfer and associated processes with regional Supply Chain leadership and engineering teams.
Manage the site’s annual budget and optimize resources and investment in automation technologies.
Make technology selection and validation decisions with global partners for logistics, plant operations, and facility management processes.
Coordinate purchasing and capital decisions with financial business partners and in accordance with company policies.
Develop technology-transfer plans, including resource management and equipment validation plans.
Gather and analyze operations’ voice of the customer to inform automation development.
Use digital tools and data analysis to improve supply chain visibility, efficiency, and decision-making.
Build and develop a high-performing team and foster innovation, collaboration, talent growth, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Establish and ensure adherence to health, safety, physical and cyber security, environmental, and quality standards.
Communicate technical concepts across functions and regions, influence stakeholders, and facilitate organizational change.
Represent service center operations to internal and external customers and oversee facility tours and presentations as needed.
Provide training support for automation initiatives in partnership with the global Supply Chain Learning & Development team.
Identify opportunities for process optimization and risk mitigation and support continuous improvement.
Ensure deployed systems meet business cases and are delivered on time, on budget, and at the required performance level.