Job Description

Position: Director, Global Plant Automation

At Nexteer, our strength lies in the diversity of our team—each member contributing unique backgrounds, experiences, and aspirations. We believe this diversity fuels our innovation, broadens our perspectives, and propels our collective growth.

For over a century, we’ve been innovators in the automotive industry. Our vision is clear - we are a global leading motion control technology company accelerating mobility to be safe, green and exciting. Our unwavering commitment to Quality, Collaboration, Integrity, and Accountability guides us as we solve motion control challenges for over 60 global customers. If you’re ready to join a dynamic team that drives change and makes a difference, Nexteer welcomes you!

About the role

The Director of Automation at Nexteer will spearhead the development and implementation of comprehensive automation strategies across all plants. This role encompasses high-level simulation of full-plant operations, integration of PC&L material movement with manufacturing processes, and the creation of automated systems for monitoring and reporting critical feedback. The Director will guide the team on latest technology advancements, drive local plant implementation planning, establish global strategies for PC&L automation, Create strategy for plant digitalization, and ERP integration. Collaboration with leadership from divisions, Global functional areas, and external consultants is essential. This role will ensure alignment with corporate strategies while driving significant automation advancements by 2027.

Key Responsibilities

As a Director, Global Plant Automation, you will be responsible to:

• Create global strategy for automation of a full plant with use of technology reducing labor costs and increasing efficiency (OEE)
• Develop local plans by plant maximizing cost reduction and efficiency improvements against CAPEX spend
• Integrate global capacity utilization forecasting process into overall automation strategy
• Support actions to reduce capital and manufactured costs of future business pursuits for all product lines
• Develop global strategy with GSM for CAPEX items to support new level of automation within CAPEX budgets
• Create strategy for automation of PC&L which fits within larger PC&L global goals and strategies
• Create strategy to balance reduced indirect labor and component costs (MRTS) with GSM and PC&L teams
• Integrate global automation strategy into Operations NPS strategy and KPIs
• Communicate with GOC, and stakeholders, and suppliers the roadmap to Nexteer future of automated plants
• Gather outside benchmark information around automation inside manufacturing environments
• Stay abreast of developments in areas of Vision, Robotics, Software defined plants, Ai, ERPs, and big data
• Manage global group workload, administer annual PFT’s both direct and matrix
• Develop employees (training, mentor, coach) to help them reach personal goals
• Create a BLUE/ Humanistic-Encouraging culture within the global team 

Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant experience
• Demonstrated director level leadership with strong results is required
• Proven record of creating strategy, with execution thru cross discipline team is required
• Proven record of indirect influence thru matrix and non-reporting teams is required
• Understanding of lean manufacturing principals and KPIs is required
• Knowledge of Nexteer global manufacturing plant environments preferred
• Prior leadership of plant level operations preferred
• Prior leadership in automation strategies preferred
• Understanding of modeling and simulation used to direct actions and set KPIs preferred
• Understanding of business case analysis and plant level financials preferred
• Nexteer product line (CEPS, PEPS, REPS, SbW, CIS, DL) knowledge preferred
• Prior Machine and Equipment specifying and qualifying preferred
• Must have proven record of managing multiple projects simultaneously
• Must have a proven record of developing people, teams, and strategies
• Must have ability to recognize people for good performance
• Exhibits a strong sense of urgency and has a proven record of making timely decisions
• Good oral and written communication skills
• High level of analytical skills with large data aggregation
• Global travel required (Quarterly)

Education Requirements

• DEGREE: BACHELOR, REQUIRED MAJOR: Engineering, PC&L, Mfg. Operations
• DEGREE: MASTERS, PREFERRED MAJOR: Business Administrations

Nexteer is an Equal Opportunity Employer Disabled/Minorities/Veterans/Women

Nexteer is an E-Verify employer. E-Verify is an internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows participating employees to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees in the United States.

Accessibility for Applicants with Disabilities: If you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please email careers@nexteer.com. Please provide your contact information and details about the posted position of interest. Only inquiries regarding assistance for those who need an accommodation with the online application process due to a disability will be returned.

About Nexteer

Nexteer Automotive is a global leading motion control technology company accelerating mobility to be safe, green and exciting. Our innovative product and technology portfolio includes electric and hydraulic power steering systems, steer-by-wire systems, steering columns and intermediate shafts, driveline systems and software solutions. The company solves motion control challenges across all megatrends – including electrification, software/connectivity, ADAS/automated driving and shared mobility – for more than 60 customers around the world including BMW, Ford, GM, RNM, Stellantis, Toyota and VW, as well as automakers in India and China including BYD, Chery, Great Wall, Geely, Xpeng and others. Learn more at:

Employment Agencies

Employment agencies are an important component of our talent acquisition strategy, and we value the partnerships we have built with our preferred vendors. We will not accept unsolicited resumes from employment agencies for any employment opportunity. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Nexteer Automotive or directly to hiring managers in any form without a signed Nexteer Automotive Agency Agreement on file, and search engagement for that position, will be deemed unsolicited in nature, and no fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired as a result of the referral or through other means. Additionally, any resume submitted without a contract in place will be considered Nexteer Automotive property and no fees will be paid to the agency if the candidate is hired. 

Please note, agency agreements will only be valid if in writing and signed by a member of Nexteer’s Human Resources team. No other Nexteer employee is authorized to bind Nexteer to any agreement regarding the placement of candidates by an agency.

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