Automation Manager

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Automation Manager to lead the factory automation strategy system ownership and operational reliability across manufacturing operations.

This role is responsible for defining the automation roadmap driving lights-out manufacturing initiatives ensuring high system uptime and leading a team of automation engineers. The Automation Manager will serve as the key interface between Operations IT Engineering and external vendors to ensure seamless system integration and long-term scalability.

What You Will Do

Strategic Leadership & Roadmap

• Define and execute a 3-year Factory Automation roadmap aligned with business and capacity expansion plans.

• Lead Lights-Out manufacturing initiatives to enhance productivity and reduce manual dependency.

• Standardize automation architecture system design principles and governance across the factory.

• Evaluate and select automation technologies platforms and vendors.

System Ownership & Governance

• Own the end-to-end automation ecosystem (AMR/AGV WCS MES integration Lift systems smart doors and factory interface systems).

• Establish integration governance monitoring frameworks and structured escalation models.

• Ensure system availability redundancy and cybersecurity compliance.

• Drive vendor performance management and service-level agreements (SLAs).

Operational Excellence & Reliability

• Ensure automation system uptime targets (e.g. AMR 98%).

• Define preventive and predictive maintenance strategies.

• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action plans for major automation failures.

• Develop lifecycle management and spare parts strategies.

Project & Financial Accountability

• Lead FAT SAT and UAT governance and approvals for new automation projects.

• Own automation CAPEX planning cost justification and investment proposals.

• Track ROI productivity gains and cost savings realization.

• Support annual budgeting and long-term automation investment planning.

Team Leadership & Capability Development

• Lead coach and develop a team of Automation Engineers.

• Define competency development roadmap and succession planning.

• Build internal technical capability and reduce dependency on external vendors.

• Foster structured cross-functional collaboration with Operations Process Facilities and IT teams.

Digital & Data Enablement

• Partner with analytics and digital teams to implement real-time dashboards and system monitoring tools.

• Drive data-driven decision-making and predictive automation initiatives.

What You Will Need

• Bachelors Degree in Engineering (Automation Electrical Mechatronics Software or related discipline).

• Minimum 58 years of experience in industrial automation robotics or manufacturing systems with leadership exposure.

• Proven experience managing automation or system integration projects in a manufacturing environment.

• Strong knowledge of AMR/AGV systems PLC integration MES/WCS systems and API-based integration.

• Strong leadership stakeholder management and financial planning skills.

• Experience working cross-functionally with Operations and IT teams.

• Semiconductor process knowledge is an added advantage.

Talent acquisition based on Nexperia vacancies is not appreciated. Nexperia job adverts are Nexperia copyright material and the word Nexperia is a registered trademark.

D&I Statement

As an equal-opportunity employer Nexperia values diversity not just because it is the right thing to do but because diverse teams perform better. We are dedicated to being inclusive and a proof point of this dedication is that we were the main partner of the very first Dutch Paralympic Team NL House during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to all and we consider all applicants fairly as well as providing a safe work environment and reasonable adjustments where requested.

In addition we offer our colleagues the possibility to join employee resource groups such as the Pride Network Group or global and local Womens groups. Nexperia is committed to increasing women in management positions to 30% by 2030.