Job DescriptionJob SummaryThe Autonomous Planning Manager leads and develops a team of engineers and planners responsible for translating North America's Autonomous Manufacturing and Logistics strategy into actionable roadmaps, execution frameworks, and data-driven recommendations. This role is accountable for team output, planning governance, and cross-functional alignment, ensuring consistent, high-quality decision support for senior leadership while building sustainable planning capability across North America manufacturing affiliates.
Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesStrategic Planning & Road-mapping- Lead and manage a team of engineers responsible for translating NA autonomous strategy into multi-year roadmaps, initiative concepts, and phased deployment options.
- Direct and coach the planning team supporting Manufacturing Affiliates in developing and maintaining Autonomous Manufacturing & Logistics roadmaps aligned to the FY35 vision.
- Oversee early-phase initiative definition performed by the team, including scope, rationale, assumptions, and dependency identification.
Governance Policy & Alignment- Ensure the planning team's work aligns with the autonomous governance model through the NAPIC Autonomous Center of Excellence.
- Assign and oversee preparation of governance alignment materials and facilitation of cross-functional reviews.
- Represent the planning team in escalation and decision-support discussions with Senior Manager and Director leadership.
Execution Planning & Deployment Readiness- Lead a team responsible for developing execution plans, rollout scenarios, and dependency analyses in coordination with affiliate and functional stakeholders.
- Ensure the team delivers consistent, data-driven site and line recommendations to support leadership decisions, without holding execution authority.
- Guide team recommendations on scale, pause, or revision actions based on system readiness, risk, and anticipated value.
Standards, Frameworks & System Integration- Manage and direct the team coordinating standards development across Manufacturing, Logistics, IT/Digital, and Data functions.
- Accountable for the team's contributions to FY35 North Star Manufacturing System frameworks, including architecture definitions, autonomy levels, and deployment concepts.
- Lead the cross-functional planning team contributing to the NA system-of-systems vision, ensuring coherence across strategy, standards, and system architectures.
Minimum QualificationsEducation: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing or related field
Experience: 8+ years in manufacturing, logistics, automation, or operations strategy with cross-functional leadership experience.
Preferred Qualifications- Experience as an individual contributor or leader of a team developing and leading regional/corporate-level technical direction initiatives in manufacturing environment
- Familiarity with automation systems & Industry 4.0 methodologies
- Knowledge of global manufacturing ecosystems and cross-cultural leadership.
Work Environment & Travel Requirements- Role is primarily based in an office environment working frequently with automation & development teams.
- Travel required: ~10%, mostly within North America, some international travel required.
- Physical requirements include standing, walking, occasional lifting, and navigating shop floor environments.
