About the roleAs Automation Project Leader, you'll lead Southco's global portfolio of automation and manufacturing equipment projects. You'll manage 3-5 capital equipment and automation initiatives at a time across our Americas and European sites, including Honeoye Falls (NY), Concordville (PA), Chihuahua (Mexico), São Paulo (Brazil), Poland and Worcester (UK).You'll own the full project lifecycle: scoping, supplier sourcing and management, budget and schedule control, regulatory compliance, and installation and commissioning. You'll work with equipment sourced both domestically and internationally, with a focus on China-based suppliers. Individual projects typically range from $50K to $500K, and your active portfolio will represent $500K-$3M in combined capital spend at any given time.You'll partner with Regional Operations Directors, plant engineering and manufacturing leaders, and international suppliers, and travel internationally about 20% of the time for supplier qualification, factory acceptance testing, and on-site installation and start-up.
What you will be doing How you will be making an impact - Deliver global automation projects: Lead 3-5 concurrent automation and manufacturing equipment projects from scope definition through installation and start-up, making sure each one meets its technical, cost and schedule goals.
- Keep projects on track: Build and maintain project scopes, budgets and schedules, track performance against cost, schedule and quality targets, and report variances to plant and regional leadership.
- Find and manage the right suppliers: Source, evaluate and manage automation equipment suppliers, including those in China and other low-cost regions, negotiating scope, cost and quality to get the best balance of capability and value.
- Ensure safety and compliance: Confirm that automation and controls equipment meets regional regulatory and safety standards before it ships, is installed and starts up in its destination market.
- Align teams around the world: Work with plant operations, engineering and Regional Operations Directors across the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific to align on priorities, resources and installation readiness.
- Communicate with clarity: Keep Southco and plant leadership informed on project status, risks and roadmap through structured reporting, escalating issues and proposing mitigation plans when needed.
- Lead on the ground:Travel to supplier facilities and manufacturing plants to lead factory acceptance testing, oversee installations and commission new equipment.
About you - A skilled prioritizer: You balance multiple projects with ease, quickly zero in on what matters most, and shift focus as needs change.
- Organized and results-driven: You set clear goals, schedules and budgets, track progress closely, and adjust plans to keep every project on time and on budget.
- Globally minded: You work comfortably across regions, cultures and time zones, and enjoy partnering with international suppliers and plant teams.
- A natural collaborator: You build strong relationships across functions and geographies and can align stakeholders around shared goals without formal authority.
- Technically curious: You stay current on automation, controls and manufacturing equipment technology and use that knowledge to make sound decisions.
- A Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial or Manufacturing Engineering, or an equivalent combination of education and experience (required).
- 7+ years of experience in manufacturing/automation engineering, controls or capital project management (required).
- A proven track record of managing multiple concurrent capital equipment projects from concept through installation and start-up (required).
- Excellent cross-cultural communication skills and the ability to work effectively with global suppliers and plant teams across time zones (required).
- Willingness and ability to travel internationally about 20% of the time, including to China and other supplier and plant locations (required).
- PMP certification or equivalent formal project management training (preferred).
- Experience sourcing, qualifying and managing international equipment suppliers, particularly in Asia/China (preferred).
- Working knowledge of machine safety compliance frameworks such as UL/NFPA 79 (US), CE Machinery Directive (EU), UKCA (UK), NOM (Mexico) and NR-12/INMETRO (Brazil) (preferred).
- Strong knowledge of PLCs, HMIs and industrial controls, enough to evaluate supplier proposals and equipment designs (preferred).
- Proficiency with project management, ERP and CAD/PLM tools such as MS Project, SAP, NX and SolidWorks (preferred).
How will we reward you Southco offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, along with the opportunity to put your fingerprints on every major product launch across the company. As part of this role you can expect:
- Competitive base salary and performance-based incentives
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage
- Retirement savings plan with company contribution
- Paid time off and holidays
- Opportunities for professional growth within a global marketing organization
- Direct, high-visibility partnership with Product Management, Sales, and Industry Marketing leaders
- A dynamic role with variety - from strategic launch planning to hands-on campaign execution
