Director, Smart Factories & Digital Manufacturing

Plexus Corp.; Neenah (WI); On-site; USD 149,000 - 247,000; Full time

Job summary

Plexus Corp. in the United States seeks a Director, Automation & Digital Manufacturing to lead manufacturing automation strategy across six AMER sites.

You will drive robotics, AI-enabled manufacturing, MES/PLM integration and scalable digital solutions to improve safety, quality and productivity. The role requires 10+ years in manufacturing automation, strong executive communication and the ability to travel up to 20%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing engineering and automation.
• 7+ years leading technical organizations.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing automation, advanced manufacturing or digital manufacturing strategies.
• Proven success leading complex, cross-functional technology deployments across multiple sites.
• Demonstrated experience with capital planning, business-case development and value realization.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the multi-year roadmap for manufacturing automation across AMER, including robotics, machine vision, cobots, autonomous mobile robotics and emerging technologies.
• Lead the evolution toward connected, data-driven factories through MES, PLM, shop-floor data platforms and AI-enabled applications.
• Build and manage a prioritized portfolio of automation and digital investments with governance and metrics.
• Establish common architectures and design methodologies across the region for scalable deployment.
• Partner with sites to integrate automation and digital capabilities in new product introductions and capacity expansions.
• Recruit, develop and lead a high-performing team of automation and digital manufacturing engineers.
• Serve as AMER automation leader in regional/global engineering strategy, capital planning and executive reviews.

Skills

Executive communication

Stakeholder management

Travel flexibility

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related discipline

10+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering and automation

7+ years leading technical organizations

Experience developing automation/digital manufacturing strategies

Experience deploying across multiple sites

Capital planning & value realization experience

Job description

Plexus Corp. in the United States seeks a Director, Automation & Digital Manufacturing to lead manufacturing automation strategy across six AMER sites.

You will drive robotics, AI-enabled manufacturing, MES/PLM integration and scalable digital solutions to improve safety, quality and productivity. The role requires 10+ years in manufacturing automation, strong executive communication and the ability to travel up to 20%.