Industrial Automation Manager

OVERVIEW_ _ _

Reporting directly to Kruger Inc.'s Vice President, Engineering and Technology, the **Manager** **, Industrial Automation, **identifies and develops opportunities within Kruger's operations to promote digitization, data analytics, automation, and technological advancement. This is a critical segment of Kruger’s continuous improvement, asset management, major project program.

The incumbent** **implements appropriate strategies to automate manufacturing and process control within the company’s critical assets. Kruger’s desire is to modernize our facilities and improve production quality and efficiency with digitization, advanced process control, and industrial automation. Further, aiding the operations teams with tools such as augmented reality and process simulation, we strive to improve safety while reducing waste and costs.

This position is responsible for developing the standards of industrial automation for use across all of Kruger’s business units, identifying and implementing digital and automation opportunities within our existing facilities, and support the design and implementation of automation within our new facilities.
- RESPONSIBILITIES_
- Embedded as part of the Corporate Engineering and Technology team, support manufacturing sites to identify, prioritize, and implement digitization and automation of the manufacturing processes.
- Develop the technology standards and guidelines for industrial automation, as well as overall system ownership corporate-wide. Coaching and developing automation expertise at each site.
- Responsible for establishing guiding principles regarding process control, digitization, and industrial automation, and providing input on technical standards related to asset procurement.
- Develop and sustain appropriate tools and platforms to guide business units and sites in the automation journey (Kruger Way, Center of Excellence, monthly team meetings, annual enterprise conferences, etc.).
- Responsible for the development and implementation of effective strategies for industrial automation
- Collaborate and contribute to the development of continuous improvement projects focused on generating increased product quality, reduced operating costs, and improved efficiency.
- Complete facility health checks and inspection reports related to process control, data management, automation systems, continuous improvement, and benchmarking.
- Representative of Automation for Kruger Way.
- Support the Corporate Engineering team, providing technical input for project development and occasional assistance with project execution.
- GENERAL EDUCATION_
- Bachelor's degree in engineering (mechanical, electrical, or industrial)
- EXPERIENCE_- 7 to 10 years of experience in technical management in the industrial sector, with solid achievements in delivering asset improvement. Knowledge of the pulp and paper sector is critical.
- Demonstrated mastery of issues and solutions ensuring effective management of critical assets.
- Established competency in data analysis and continuous improvement.
- Demonstrated project management ability is an asset.
- Ability to work with multiple levels within the organization both as a leader and individual contributor.
- SKILLS AND APPTITUDES_
- Strong knowledge of process control within manufacturing operations.
- Expertise in industrial automation, including autonomous vehicles, process control, and data analytics.
- Robust continuous improvement mindset.
- Proficiency in process optimization and benchmarking.
- Autonomy, business sense, resourcefulness, analytical and synthesis skills.
- Positive communication and influence skills to present positions convincingly to reach consensus among colleagues and stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and work on multiple files at the same time while maintaining a positive attitude.
- Available to travel through the various sites of the company when required - anticipated 30% travel.
- LANGUAGES_
- Bilingual (English and French) - oral, and written strongly recommended