Global Smart Manufacturing Manager

About the role

MSA Safety is a purpose-driven company committed to deploying innovation and technology to deliver on our Mission to help protect people and assets all around the world. We are looking for a subject matter expert with applicable experience within a manufacturing leadership role to define and execute MSA's global Factory of the Future technology vision.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute MSA's global Factory of the Future technology vision.
• Develop and prioritize Industry 4.0 initiatives that align with business objectives and operational strategies.
• Identify emerging technologies and assess their potential to create business value across the manufacturing network.
• Partner with executive leadership to establish digital manufacturing priorities, investment strategies, and long-term transformation plans.
• Drive enterprise-wide adoption of innovative manufacturing technologies that improve competitiveness and operational agility.
• Partner with plant leadership to identify, prioritize, and implement high-value digital manufacturing opportunities.
• Communicate strategy, progress, risks, and business outcomes to senior leadership and key stakeholders.
• Develop multi-year capital investment plans supporting Factory of the Future technologies.
• Lead the evaluation, development, and deployment of scalable advanced manufacturing technologies, including MES, IIoT, AI/ML, Digital Twins, automation, analytics platforms, ERP integrated solutions, robotics, Cobots, AMRs/AGVs.
• Develop tools, templates, and frameworks to evaluate new technologies and factories' readiness for scalable technology.
• Establish engineering standards and best practices for deploying digital manufacturing solutions.
• Oversee implementation of scalable digital manufacturing solutions across global manufacturing facilities.
• Steer partnership with data scientists, AI engineers, and business leaders to identify high-value applications including predictive maintenance, process optimization, vision inspection, and digital process control.
• Ensure seamless integration of shop-floor equipment, automation systems, manufacturing data, and enterprise platforms.
• Drive standardization of system architectures, connectivity models, and technology platforms to support a connected manufacturing ecosystem.
• Support equipment procurement, commissioning, qualification, validation, and technology readiness activities.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external technology partners to develop and deploy innovative manufacturing solutions.
• Lead cross-functional teams through technology assessments, pilot programs, and global rollouts.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing global team of smart manufacturing, automation, analytics, and digital technology experts.
• Build organizational capabilities in digital manufacturing, AI, data analytics, and Industry 4.0 technologies.
• Foster a culture of innovation, knowledge sharing, technical excellence, and continuous learning.
• Support workforce adoption of new technologies through training, change management, and leadership engagement.
• Drive succession planning and capability development to meet future manufacturing technology needs.
• Establish and maintain global standards, governance frameworks, and best practices for smart manufacturing technologies and digital systems.
• Ensure consistent deployment methodologies, performance metrics, and technology management processes across all manufacturing locations.
• Establish and govern global manufacturing technology standards, MES templates, automation architectures, and digital deployment methodologies.
• Lead efforts to improve manufacturing productivity, quality, asset utilization, reliability, and cost performance through data-driven decision making.
• Promote disciplined process documentation, system lifecycle management, and continuous improvement practices.
• Develop business cases, capital investment proposals, and ROI models to prioritize and justify digital manufacturing initiatives.
• Monitor and measure the financial and operational impact of smart manufacturing initiatives.

Requirements

• Experience and strong knowledge of: Digital Manufacturing Applications (MES), Industrial IoT (IIoT), Automation and Controls Systems, SCADA and PLC environments, Data analytics and visualization tools, ERP integration (SAP), Robotics & cobots.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully manage and implement Industry 4.0 projects with positive financial impact from the solution.
• Experience driving and ensuring regular process documentation is developed and maintained.
• Multinational manufacturing environment experience.
• Experience in manufacturing equipment procurement, setup and commissioning, including a clear understanding of equipment/software qualification and validation processes.
• Proven track record of leading cross-functional teams in the development and optimization of new technologies.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and convey technical concepts to diverse stakeholders.
• Organizational change management, KPI ownership, and vendor management experience.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Engineering from an ABET-accredited program.
• This position is available at two different career levels based upon individual qualifications, experience, and education:
  • Level II Engineering Manager: 10 years relevant experience including a minimum of 2 years' experience in direct staff management.
  • Senior Engineering Manager: 12 years relevant experience including a minimum of 2 years' experience in direct staff management.
• MS degree may be substituted for up to 2 years of relevant experience; PhD may be substituted for up to 4 years.

Preferred Experience & Education

• Experience and knowledge of: Machine Learning, Industrial connectivity architectures, AI in manufacturing, Digital Twins, Advanced vision systems, AMRs/AGVs.
• Deploying AI/ML solutions in production environments with an understanding of cloud manufacturing platforms including but not limited to: Azure, AWS, Snowflake.
• Developing a multi-year digital manufacturing roadmap including capital investment planning, ROI modeling, and prioritization.
• Creating governance models of global manufacturing systems including but not limited to: data architecture, data quality management, master data governance, historian strategies, and data ownership models.
• Working with data scientists & AI engineers to develop manufacturing solutions and creating prioritization of those AI use cases (e.g., predictive maintenance, process optimization, computer vision quality inspection, and digital process control).
• Connecting shop-floor machines to enterprise systems.
• Developing digital skills within manufacturing organizations, influencing plant leadership, and driving workforce adoption with stakeholder engagement.
• Applying advanced engineering principles and process control strategies to improve operating efficiency of new and existing automation systems.
• Understanding of common Manufacturing/Operations technology cybersecurity requirements: Industrial network security, ISA/IEC 62443 familiarity, Operations Technology cybersecurity risk assessments.
• Proven ability to drive technology at scale across 20+ facilities including developing standard automation platforms, global equipment catalogs, MES templates, KPI governance.
• MBA, Operations certification (e.g., lean systems), Continuing Education in Management studies, or PMP certification.