Global Smart Manufacturing Manager

Koitecc Solutions; Cranberry Township (Butler County); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

MSA Safety in Cranberry Township, PA, seeks a Global Smart Manufacturing Manager to lead digital manufacturing strategy across the global plant network. You will define the Factory of the Future vision, drive Industry 4.0 initiatives, and oversee scalable MES, IIoT, AI/ML, and automation deployments.

You will partner with executive leadership, manage a multinational team, establish standards, and measure impact through ROI and KPIs while advancing data governance and cybersecurity in

Qualifications

• Experience and knowledge of Digital Manufacturing Applications (MES), IIoT, automation and controls systems, SCADA and PLC, data analytics and visualization tools, ERP integration (SAP), robotics.
• Proven ability to lead Industry 4.0 projects with positive financial impact.
• Strong process documentation is developed and maintained.
• Multinational manufacturing environment experience.
• Experience in equipment procurement, setup, commissioning, qualification and validation.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams in development and optimization of new technologies.
• Experience with Machine Learning, AI in manufacturing and digital twins is desirable.
• Ability to deploy AI/ML solutions in production with cloud platforms (Azure, AWS).
• Developing a multi-year digital manufacturing roadmap including ROI modeling.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity requirements for manufacturing operations.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the global Factory of the Future technology vision.
• Develop and prioritize Industry 4.0 initiatives aligned with operations.
• Identify technologies and assess their business value across the network.
• Partner with executive leadership to set digital manufacturing priorities and investment plans.
• Drive adoption of digital manufacturing technologies across facilities.
• Lead cross-functional teams through pilots and global rollouts.
• Establish governance, standards, and best practices for smart manufacturing.
• Oversee scalable digital manufacturing deployments across locations.
• Collaborate with data scientists and AI engineers on high-value use cases.
• Ensure integration of shop-floor data with enterprise systems.

Skills

Digital Manufacturing

Industrial IoT

Automation & Controls

SCADA & PLC

Data analytics

ERP integration (SAP)

Robotics & cobots

Education

B.S. in Engineering (ABET-accredited)

Tools

MES

Azure

AWS

Snowflake

Job description

MSA, The Safety Company

Global Smart Manufacturing Manager

US-PA-Cranberry Township

Requisition ID: 2026-9988

Type: Full-Time

# of Openings: 1

Category: Operations (MissionOPS)

Overview

Are you someone who is passionate, motivated, and driven to make a difference? If so, MSA Safety is the perfect fit for your career.

At MSA, SAFETY is who we are AND it is what we do. We are a purpose-driven company committed to deploying innovation and technology to deliver on our Mission to help protect people and assets all around the world. We continue to be relentless in our pursuit of solving our customers greatest problems so they can go home safe each and every day.

Are you in? Read on for more details about this particular role.

Responsibilities

• We are looking for a subject matter expert with applicable experience within a manufacturing leadership role.
• Define and execute MSA's global Factory of the Future technology vision.
• Develop and prioritize Industry 4.0 initiatives that align with business objectives and operational strategies.
• Identify emerging technologies and assess their potential to create business value across the manufacturing network.
• Partner with executive leadership to establish digital manufacturing priorities, investment strategies, and long-term transformation plans.
• Drive enterprise-wide adoption of innovative manufacturing technologies that improve competitiveness and operational agility.
• Partner with plant leadership to identify, prioritize, and implement high-value digital manufacturing opportunities.
• Communicate strategy, progress, risks, and business outcomes to senior leadership and key stakeholders.

• Develop multi-year capital investment plans supporting Factory of the Futuretechnologies.

• Lead the evaluation, development, and deployment of scalable advanced manufacturing technologies, including MES, IIoT, AI/ML, Digital Twins, automation, analytics platforms, ERP integrated solutions, robotics, Cobots, AMRs/AGVs.

• Develop tools, templates and framework to evaluate new technologies and factories readiness for the scalable technology. Establish engineering standards and best practices for deploying.

• Oversee implementation of scalable digital manufacturing solutions across global manufacturing facilities.

• Steer partnership with data scientists, AI engineers, and business leaders to identify high-value applications including predictive maintenance, process optimization, vision inspection, and digital process control.

• Ensure seamless integration of shop-floor equipment, automation systems, manufacturing data, and enterprise platforms.

• Drive standardization of system architectures, connectivity models, and technology platforms to support a connected manufacturing ecosystem.

• Support equipment procurement, commissioning, qualification, validation, and technology readiness activities.

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external technology partners to develop and deploy innovative manufacturing solutions.

  Lead cross-functional teams through technology assessments, pilot programs, and global rollouts.

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing global team of smart manufacturing, automation, analytics, and digital technology experts.

• Build organizational capabilities in digital manufacturing, AI, data analytics, and Industry 4.0 technologies.

• Foster a culture of innovation, knowledge sharing, technical excellence, and continuous learning.

• Support workforce adoption of new technologies through training, change management, and leadership engagement.

• Drive succession planning and capability development to meet future manufacturing technology needs.

• Establish and maintain global standards, governance frameworks, and best practices for smart manufacturing technologies and digital systems.

• Ensure consistent deployment methodologies, performance metrics, and technology management processes across all manufacturing locations. Establish and govern global manufacturing technology standards, MES templates, automation architectures, and digital deployment methodologies.

• Lead efforts to improve manufacturing productivity, quality, asset utilization, reliability, and cost performance through data-driven decision making.

• Promote disciplined process documentation, system lifecycle management, and continuous improvement practices.

• Develop business cases, capital investment proposals, and ROI models to prioritize and justify digital manufacturing initiatives.

• Monitor and measure the financial and operational impact of smart manufacturing initiatives.

Qualifications

Required Experience:

• Experienceand strong knowledge of:Digital Manufacturing Applications (MES), Industrial IoT (IIot), Automation andControlsSystems, SCADA and PLC environments, Data analytics and visualization tools, ERP integration (SAP),Robotics & cobots.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully manage and implement Industry 4.0 projectswith positive financial impact fromthe solution.
• Driving and ensuringregular process documentation is developed and maintained.
• Multinational manufacturing environment experience.
• Experience in manufacturing equipment procurement, setup and commissioning,including a clear understanding of equipment/software qualification and validation processes.
• Proven track record of leadingcross-functional teams in the development and optimization of new technologies.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and convey technical concepts to diverse stakeholders.
• Organizational change management
• KPI ownership
• Vendor management

Experience Preferred:

• Experience and knowledge of:Machine Learning, Industrial connectivityarchitectures, AI in manufacturing, Digital Twins,Advanced vision systems, AMRs/AGVs.
• Deploying AI/ML solutions in production environmentswith an understanding of cloud manufacturing platformsincluding but not limited to: (Azure, AWS, Snowflake)
• Developing a multi-year digital manufacturing roadmapincluding capital investment planning, ROI modeling, and prioritization.
• Creating governance models of global manufacturing systemsincluding but not limitedto:data architecture, data quality management, master data governance, historian strategies, and data ownership models.
• Working with data scientist & AI engineers to develop manufacturing solutions and creating prioritization of those AI use cases. Some applications could include:predictive maintenance, process optimization, computer vision quality inspection,and digital process control.
• Connecting shop-floor machines to enterprise systems.
• Developing digital skills within manufacturing organizations, influencing plant leadership and driving workforce adoption with stakeholder engagement.
• Apply advanced engineering principles and process control strategies to improve operating efficiency of new and existing automation systems.
• Understanding of common Manufacturing/Operations technology cybersecurity requirements: Industrial network security, ISA/IEC 62443 familiarity, Operations Technology cybersecurity risk assessments.
• Proven ability to drive technology at scale across 20+ facilities including developing standard automation platforms, global equipment catalogs, MES templates, KPI governance.

Education Required:

B,S. in Engineering from an ABET-accredited program.

This position is available at two different career levels based upon individual qualifications, experience, and education:

• Level II Engineering Manager: 10 years relevant experience including a minimum of 2 years' experience in direct staff management.
• Senior Engineering Manager: 12 years relevant experience including a minimum of 2 years' experience in direct staff management.
  • MS degree may be substituted for up to 2 years of relevant experience; PhD may be substituted for up to 4 years.

Education Preferred:

• MBA, Operations certification a plus, such as lean systems
• Continuing Education in Management studies
• PMP certification

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MSA is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and to providing a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination. As such, it is MSA's policy not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of the person's age, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, race, religion, gender, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, veteran's status, genetic information, political affiliation, disabling condition, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. MSA also makes reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities who are otherwise qualified to perform a job unless such accommodations would impose an undue hardship. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation to assist you in navigating this career site, let us know.Contact Us MSA is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Minorities/Females/Individuals with Disabilities/Protected Veterans.

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