Physical Automation Leader
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Job Summary
Founded over 35 years ago First Quality is a family-owned company that has grown from a small business in McElhattan Pennsylvania into a group of companies employing over 5000 team memberswhile maintaining ourfamilyvalues and entrepreneurialspirit. With corporate offices in New York and Pennsylvania and 8 manufacturing campuses across the U.S. and Canada the companies within the First Qualitygroup produce high-quality personal care and household products forlargeretailers and healthcareorganizations. Our personal care and household product portfolio includes baby diapers wipes feminine pads paper towels bath tissue adult incontinence products laundry detergents fabric finishers and dishwash addition we manufacture certain raw materials and components used in the manufacturing of these products including flexible print and packaging solutions.
Guided by our values of humility unity and integrity we leverage advanced technology and innovation to drive growth and create new opportunities. At First Quality youll find a collaborative environment focused on continuous learning professional development and our mission to Make Things Better.
We are seeking a Physical Automations Leader for our First Quality Products Company located in McElhattan PA. This position may be based out of our Central PA site (McElhattan PA & Lewistown PA) or Macon GA. The Physical Automation Leader is responsible for designing implementing and optimizing automation solutions that enhance manufacturing efficiency safety and quality across the division. This role will lead the strategic roadmap for physical automation robotics and advanced manufacturing technologies ensuring alignment with business goals and operational excellence standards.
A primary focus will be to integrate cutting-edge automation systems including robotics autonomous material handling and machine vision into production environments harmonizing best practices across sites. The role requires deep expertise in automation engineering strong project leadership skills and the ability to partner with cross-functional teams to deliver measurable improvements in productivity cost-effectiveness and reliability. This position will require frequent travel to our Absorbent Hygiene companies.
Primary responsibilities include:
- Establish automation goals objectives and overall strategy for the division.
- Lead the design selection and deployment of physical automation systems including robotics conveyors automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and machine vision solutions.
- Conduct comprehensive assessments of manufacturing processes to identify automation opportunities and efficiency gains.
- Collaborate with engineering operations IT and safety teams to ensure automation solutions meet safety quality and regulatory requirements.
- Work with BUs to develop and manage automation project roadmaps budgets and timelines.
- Support BUs through installation commissioning and integration of automation equipment into existing manufacturing lines.
- Apply advanced engineering principles and digital tools to optimize automation performance and reliability.
- Partner with vendors and technology providers to evaluate emerging automation technologies and ensure best-in-class solutions.
- Set standards and drive accountability to create and maintain technical documentation including equipment specifications operating procedures and maintenance plans.
- Train and mentor engineering and operations teams on automation systems and best practices.
- Establish metrics and KPIs to measure automation effectiveness and ROI.
- Champion continuous improvement by integrating automation into Lean and Six Sigma initiatives.
- Responsible for defining the life cycle management method of automation assets and execution will be the responsibility of the Business as Usual (BAU) Team.
- Additional duties as required.
The ideal candidate should possess the following:
- Bachelors degree in Mechanical Electrical Industrial or Automation Engineering; advanced degree preferred.
- Minimum 7 years of experience in automation engineering robotics integration or industrial controls within a high-speed manufacturing environment.
- Proven track record of designing and implementing successful physical automation solutions.
- Experience with Manufacturing 4.0 concepts including connected equipment IoT integration and smart manufacturing systems.
- Knowledge of manufacturing regulatory standards (ISO 9001 OSHA FDA) desirable.
- Expertise in PLC programming robotics control systems and machine vision technologies.
- Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with proven root cause analysis capabilities.
- Exceptional project management skills able to manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously.
- Excellent communication skills adept at working with both technical teams and business stakeholders.
- Ability to coach benchmark and work closely with different sites and operations.
- Vendor management and negotiation skills.
- Data-driven disciplined objective and detail-oriented.
- Passion for innovation and continuous improvement.
- Supports and promotes safe practices and environmental commitments in alignment with company policies and compliance requirements
What We Offer You
We believe that by continuously improving the quality of our benefits we can help to raise the quality of life for our team members and their families. At First Quality you will receive:
- Competitive base salary and bonus opportunities
- Paid time off (three-week minimum)
- Medical dental and vision starting day one
- 401(k) with employer match
- Paid parental leave
- Child and family care assistance (dependent care FSA with employer match up to $2500)
- Bundle of joy benefit (years worth of free diapers to all team members with a new baby)
- Tuition assistance
- Wellness program with savings of up to $4000 per year on insurance premiums
- ...and more!
First Quality is committed to protecting information under the care of First Quality Enterprises commensurate with leading industry standards and applicable regulations. As such First Quality provides at least annual training regarding data privacy and security to employees who as a result of their role specifications may come in to contact with sensitive data.
First Quality is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex national origin disability sexual orientation gender identification or protected Veteran status.
About Company
Why We Make Things Better: We Care. Welcome to First Quality®. Every day, we strive to make the best products to improve the lives of our customers, partners, employees and communities.
