Automation Program Lead

Job Description
Here at Kraft Heinz, we grow our people to grow our business, because we believe that great people make great companies. When you join our table, you can expect access to an array of holistic wellness benefits* and perks, including medical, dental and vision coverage, 7% 401(k) matching, Business Resource Groups (BRGs) to help foster diversity, inclusion, and belonging for all employees, an industry-leading total rewards package that emphasizes a high discretionary bonus.
Automation Program Lead at a glance...

• You'll be the driving force behind ground-breaking Automation equipment projects from inception to execution. Your ideas and expertise will shape the future of food. Imagine the satisfaction of walking through a production line you automated, knowing that every bottle, box, or package that passes through it bears your mark of excellence.
• You'll partner with industry-leading vendors to bring projects to life. Picture yourself brainstorming with leaders in automation technology, strategizing with pioneers who share your commitment to innovation.
• The scope of your impact is nothing short of impressive, with projects spanning across our 31 North American sites. Your work will touch lives, influence processes, and elevate an entire industry - all while gaining unmatched exposure to a wide array of automation technology, projects, challenges, and environments.
• So, if you're a trailblazer, a strategic problem solver, and a hands-on enthusiast who wants to own, innovate, and lead, then this role is tailor-made for you. Join us in shaping automation in the food and beverage sector!

What's on the menu?

• Ownership of the Automation Program: Own the end-to-end automation project lifecycle, from concept, through design and into implementation, ensuring seamless integration of automation into our manufacturing facilities.
• Innovative Problem Solver: Collaborate with manufacturing and industry experts to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for automation, devising inventive solutions that enhance production capabilities, capacity and quality.
• Technical Expertise: Leverage and grow your understanding of automation technologies in processing, packaging and material movement. Apply specifications and standards for equipment, taking findings from each project, and codifying them for future use.
• Automation Roadmap: Be part of building the strategic roadmap and funding journey for Manufacturing Automation. Your involvement will include leading onsite ideation workshops to develop project scope, identify technology and ultimately build robust business cases.
• Project Management: Collaborate on project design, detailed scopes of work, cost estimates, timelines and bid documentation for capital projects. Lead the ideation and business case phase then partner on development, and implementation of projects. Determine the project structure, resource needs and associated skills to successfully implement.
• CAPEX: Define and decide the final project budgets and schedules by leading the Capital Appropriations Requests (CARs) submission serving as the speaker and advocate in capital investment committees.
• Become an Automation SME: Act as resident experts within the Automation equipment field and provide guidance to the broader team on the strategic fit within the manufacturing network.
• Project Variety: Be responsible for diverse automation initiatives, including designing and deploying pick and place robots for precise packaging, food processing and kitchen systems with integrated CIP systems as well as deploy fleets of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) to move our products.

Recipe for Success - apply now if this sounds like you!

• 8+ years of manufacturing experience.
• Experience with project management, implementing new automation and robotic equipment within a industrial manufacturing / packaging setting.
• Experience with automated pick and place equipment, automated pick and pack equipment / robots, self-driving vehicles (AGV/AMR) and AGV/AMR Robots
• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering required.
• Strategic and lateral problem solver with experience to evaluate sophisticated operating models and create and implement innovative solutions.
• Excellent written, oral communication and presentation skills with the ability to organize and convey information concisely and in a compelling way to influence decision makers.
• Strong digital literacy with high proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Powerpoint. CAD experience preferred.
• Possess a deep understanding of manufacturing critical metrics and how to impact these.

This position is considered a normal office environment with moderate travel to manufacturing facilities and equipment vendor locations, etc; offices are open workspaces
Additionally, this role requires up to 30% travel to our manufacturing facilities.
Location(s)
Champaign Plant, Chicago/Aon Center, Garland Plant, Glenview R&D Center, Granite City Plant, Heinz Innovation Center, HPC - Jacksonville Factory, Jacksonville Plant, Massillon - Salaried, Springfield Plant, Woodstock Plant
Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer that prohibits discrimination or harassment of any type. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Applicants who require an accommodation to participate in the job application or hiring process should contact [email protected] .