Manufacturing Automation Manager

Must be a US Permanent Resident or Citizen. We are unable to sponsor currently.

About The Role

A high-volume manufacturing organization is seeking an Automation Manager to support a planned, succession-focused leadership transition within its automation and controls function. The Automation Manager will assume day-to-day leadership responsibility for the local automation team while partnering closely with senior automation leaders. This position offers the opportunity to shape the future direction of the automation group within a fast-paced, technically advanced manufacturing environment. The ideal candidate is a hands-on technical leader with strong industrial automation and controls expertise, capable of leading teams through complex, high-pressure production scenarios while maintaining a strong people-first leadership approach.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and support automation technicians.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for automation and controls-related production issues.
• Maintain operational continuity.
• Support troubleshooting efforts in high-speed, continuous-motion manufacturing environments.
• Reinforce preventive and predictive maintenance strategies for automated equipment.
• Partner with HR on performance management, employee relations, and workforce planning.
• Advocate for automation team resources, staffing, and technical needs.
• Oversee training, development, and technical skill progression of the automation team.
• Support capital equipment installations alongside ongoing support of legacy automation platforms.
• Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, safety, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred - No formal education requirement.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of supervisory or management experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience leading technical teams in high-output production settings.
• Demonstrated success managing direct reports and multi-level team structures.

Technical Skills

• Strong working knowledge of industrial automation and controls systems.
• Hands-on understanding of Allen-Bradley PLC platforms.
• Functional-level troubleshooting capability for automation systems.
• Experience supporting both new capital equipment and legacy automation platforms.
• Familiarity with preventive maintenance strategies in automated manufacturing.

Soft Skills

• Strong leadership, communication, and mentorship skills.
• Ability to manage conflict, de-escalate issues, and support team morale.
• Comfortable making decisions and providing direction in high-pressure situations.
• Organized, adaptable, and able to balance technical oversight with people leadership.

Note: This role does not require full-time PLC programming; however, technical credibility and hands-on capability are essential.

Why Is This a Great Opportunity

• Planned succession hire with built-in mentorship and knowledge transfer.
• High-impact role within a fast-paced, technically advanced manufacturing operation.
• Strong emphasis on team development, stability, and long-term career growth.

Pay

Annual salary range: $80,000 – $120,000, depending on experience.