Automation Manager (Manufacturing)

Position Summary

The Automation Manager will serve as a key member of the plant maintenance team. The role provides technical leadership in the development of automation team members as well as serves a hands-on automation subject matter expert. This role will collaborate with across departments in aspects of PLC/HMI programming, low/high voltage electrical, VFD and specialized projects. The Automation Manager will also lead efforts for instrumentation calibration, process and trend data collection, dashboards, and reporting systems. In addition, the role will be responsible for identifying opportunities to automate plant processes to improve productivity, quality, safety, and operational efficiency.

Key Skills Required

• Accountability: Takes personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work.
• Ethics & Integrity: Earns others’ trust and respect through consistent honesty and professionalism in all interactions.
• Initiative: Recognizes situations that warrant initiative and moves forward without hesitation; reasonably resolves issues, problems, or situations.
• Teamwork: Promotes cooperation and commitment within a team to achieve goals and deliverables.

Primary Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

• Designs and implements automation systems & manages automation projects.
• Design, develop, and implement automation systems and solutions to streamline the juice manufacturing process.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to assess automation needs and design appropriate solutions.
• Ensure that all automation systems comply with safety, quality, and industry standards.
• Manage automation projects from concept to completion, including budgeting, scheduling, and resource allocation.
• Work closely with external vendors and contractors to ensure the successful implementation of automation projects.
• Provide regular updates to management on project status, challenges, and opportunities.
• Conducts regular maintenance and troubleshooting for all automated systems.
• Oversee the maintenance and troubleshooting of automation systems, including PLCs, SCADA systems, and robotics.
• Provide technical support to the maintenance team to resolve any issues related to automation systems.
• Develop and execute preventative maintenance plans to minimize downtime and ensure reliable operation.
• Instrumentation calibration
• Documents and training on all automation system processes.
• Create and maintain detailed documentation for all automation systems, including schematics, programs, and operational procedures.
• Train plant personnel on the operation and maintenance of automation systems to ensure smooth and efficient use.
• Develop training programs and materials to upskill the technical team in automation technologies.
• All other duties as assigned by the supervisor

Key Performance Indicators:

• 100% completion of annual instrument calibrations
• Plant production throughput at or above 77%
• Zero downtime recorded for obsolete electronics
• Team labor tracking at 70% or greater

Education/Experience

Required:

• Associate degree or certificate in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in automation engineering, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
• Minimum of 5-7 years direct leadership of personnel
• Minimum of 5-7 years managing cost and labor budgets
• Proficient in PLC programming (e.g., Allen-Bradley, Siemens) and SCADA systems.
• Strong knowledge of automation hardware and software, including sensors, actuators, robotics, and HMI.
• Experience with industrial networks and communication protocols (e.g., Ethernet/IP, Modbus).
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Preferred:

• Project management certification and experience.
• Experience within the beverage industry
• Experience with CIPs, COPs, leak protection, and x-ray equipment

About Us

good2grow® is a children’s beverage company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Our mission is to use fun to help kids consume healthier products. And our commitment to this mission has made us a high-growth innovative beverage company, with a large, diverse, and ever-growing set of retail partners. We create better-for-you drinks that give both parents and kids a smile by combining great taste with tons of fun. We partner with some of the biggest names in entertainment including Disney, Universal Studios, Nickelodeon, Hasbro and so many more to top our products with 100s of all of their favorite characters. Our line of products includes snacks, juices, and flavored waters, so there’s something to make everybody smile.

Why join us?

good2grow Bottling offers a competitive benefits package, including Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) with company match, Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending Account, Long Term Disability, Life Insurance, 12 Paid Holidays, paid time off and sick time. We value our employees’ experience and the community around us. At good2grow®, you will be consistently challenged, and your opportunities will only be limited by your ambition!

Our Culture

Not only are our products fun, so is our organization! We are visionaries with a growth mindset, built on trust, integrity, and collaboration. Our goal is for every employee to feel empowered, valued, and part of the good2grow family. Our organization is dedicated to leveraging technology to make our work more efficient and to keep our workforce connected. We place value on hard work and pride by encouraging a culture that understands the importance of each individual’s unique contributions.