Automation Manager: Injection Molding & Robotics

Utz Group; Edinburgh (IN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Utz Group in Indiana is seeking an Automation Manager to lead design, implementation, and maintenance of automated systems, with focus on injection molding support and material transport via conveyors and AGVs. The role ensures safe, reliable operation of robotics, PLCs, vision systems, and tooling to meet production goals.

You will supervise automation technicians, collaborate with production, maintenance, and engineering, develop maintenance schedules, analyze downtime, and justify capital

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, mechanical, industrial automation or related field.
• 5+ years of automation management experience in manufacturing, preferably injection molding.
• Strong PLC programming and robotics expertise; AGV and conveyor familiarity.
• Proven leadership and project management abilities.
• Lean manufacturing knowledge and data-driven improvement mindset.

Responsibilities

• Develop, install, and optimize automation systems for injection molding machines and secondary operations.
• Manage and provide technical support for robotics, conveyors, end-of-arm tooling, and other automated equipment.
• Collaborate with production, maintenance, and engineering teams to identify opportunities for process automation and continuous improvement.
• Create and manage preventive maintenance schedules for automated systems.
• Lead troubleshooting and root cause analysis to minimize downtime.
• Supervise and train automation technicians and maintenance staff on new systems and technologies.
• Work with vendors and integrators to evaluate new automation technologies and solutions.
• Maintain documentation, programs, and backups for all automation systems (PLCs, HMIs, robots…).
• Ensure all automation equipment complies with safety, quality, and environmental standards.
• Develop automation cost analyses and ROI justifications for capital improvement projects.

Skills

Automation management

Robotics integration

PLC programming

AGV/Conveyors

End-of-arm tooling design

Lean manufacturing

Data-driven improvement

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Industrial Automation

Tools

Allen-Bradley

Siemens

Universal Robots

Fanuc

Conveyor tech

Job description

Utz Group in Indiana is seeking an Automation Manager to lead design, implementation, and maintenance of automated systems, with focus on injection molding support and material transport via conveyors and AGVs. The role ensures safe, reliable operation of robotics, PLCs, vision systems, and tooling to meet production goals.

You will supervise automation technicians, collaborate with production, maintenance, and engineering, develop maintenance schedules, analyze downtime, and justify capital