Senior Engineering Manager - Automation

Rich Products Corporation; United States; Remote; USD 152,000 - 229,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Paid time off

Parental leave

Volunteer opportunities

Job summary

Rich Products Corporation, a family-owned food company, seeks a Senior Engineering Manager - Automation to define long-term packaging technology strategies and lead breakthrough automation initiatives. You will partner with R&D to develop new packaging materials, drive cost savings, and manage capital projects across multiple US plants.

The role requires 15+ years in packing/automation, strong leadership, and hands-on experience with robotics, machine vision, and control systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Robotics Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of fifteen (15) years of demonstrated experience in packing/process engineering, packaging technology engineering, robotics, or related disciplines.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with Packaging R&D in development, validation, and commercialization of new packaging solutions and innovative materials.
• Experience leading teams of engineers, OEMs, suppliers, and contractors in development and implementation of new technologies.
• Experience applying TPM and Lean Manufacturing methodologies to support vertical start-ups.
• Demonstrated success transforming manufacturing operations through automation, standardization, and problem solving.
• Ability to travel as required to support commitments.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or similar design software.

Responsibilities

• Envision and lead cross-category packaging technology initiatives.
• Oversee multiple projects from discovery through start-up and implementation.
• Coach and develop engineering project managers across the organization.
• Partner with Operations and R&D to deliver safe, reliable, and cost-effective solutions.
• Drive material and equipment interaction efficiencies and standardized designs.

Skills

Packaging/R&D collaboration

Automation engineering

Team leadership

Lean TPM experience

Automation project delivery

Communication skills

AutoCAD/SolidWorks

MS Office proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s in Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

SolidWorks

Job description

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Senior Engineering Manager - Automation

Location:

Buffalo, NY, US, 14213 Brunswick, GA, US, 31520 Crest Hill, IL, US, 60403 Missouri City, TX, US, 77489 Dearborn Heights, MI, US, 48125 Torrance, CA, US, 90502 Brockton, MA, US, 02302 Murfreesboro, TN, US, 37127 Union City, CA, US, 94587 Salem, MA, US, 01970 Santa Ana, CA, US, 92704 Brownsville, TX, US, 78521 Niles, IL, US, 60714 Lodi, CA, US, 95240 Missouri City, TX, US, 77489 Motley, MN, US, 56466 Hilliard, OH, US, 43026 New Britain, CT, US, 6053 Chicago Heights, IL, US, 60411 Eagan, MN, US, 55121 Arlington, TN, US, 38002 Morristown, TN, US, 37814 Gallatin, TN, US, 37066

Segment: Engineering

Rich’s, also known as Rich Products Corporation, is a family-owned food company dedicated to inspiring possibilities. From cakes and icings to pizza, appetizers and specialty toppings, our products are used in homes, restaurants and bakeries around the world. Beyond great food, our customers also gain insights to help them stay competitive, no matter their size. Our portfolio includes creative solutions geared at helping food industry professionals compete in foodservice, retail, in-store bakery, deli, and prepared foods, among others. With more than 13,500 associates working globally in 100 countries and annual sales of $5.9 billion, Rich’s is a global leader with a focus on everything that family makes possible. Rich’s®—Infinite Possibilities. One Family.

Purpose Statement

The Senior Engineering Manager - Automation is responsible for defining and justifying long-term process, packing technology, and packaging material strategies; co-developing innovative equipment solutions with OEMs and suppliers; and leading long-term enterprise productivity transformation initiatives.

This individual will lead the development and delivery of breakthrough technology-based operational solutions, including the ideation, design, validation, and implementation of manufacturing technologies that positively transform daily operations by improving productivity and performance while ensuring operator safety and maintaining or enhancing product safety and quality.

The Senior Engineering Manager - Automation will also partner with R&D to develop new packaging materials and lead the strategy and implementation of effective packing equipment solutions. This includes driving material and equipment interaction efficiencies, developing standardized designs, and delivering cost-saving initiatives.

Key responsibilities include envisioning future possibilities, developing strategic roadmaps, and leading the research, analysis, simulation, design, programming, piloting, troubleshooting, implementation, and management of advanced packaging and packing automation solutions. These solutions include robotics, in-line quality control systems, machine vision technologies, and advanced control systems.

The ideal candidate will champion innovation across the enterprise and drive the implementation of disciplined design and technical readiness processes aligned with Reliability Engineering principles and Technology Validation protocols. This individual will also provide packaging material design feedback to improve processability, reliability, quality, and cost optimization, while identifying and implementing material cost savings through simplification and packaging/packing equipment standardization.

In addition, the Senior Engineering Manager - Automation will proactively develop enterprise-wide business cases for automation and savings initiatives and manage capital and material optimization projects from concept through vertical start-up. Responsibilities include defining engineering scope, developing technical solutions and justifications, leading project execution, managing vendors, overseeing on-site start-up activities, validating equipment and material performance, and ensuring successful achievement of all project objectives.

This role can be based at any of our manufacturing plants in the USA, with up to 50% travel.

Key Accountabilities and Outcomes

• Develop innovation plans and lead the identification of breakthrough, cross-category manufacturing opportunities that can be solved through packaging design, packing and process technology, controls, automation solutions, and AI. Develop sound technical and business proposals to secure leadership support for evaluation and execution.
• Lead the development of diverse, multi-category platform solutions that support material and technology requirements, business economics, and technical recommendations. Collaborate with materials suppliers, equipment manufacturers, controls providers, software vendors, and manufacturing operations partners to create and deliver innovative solutions.
• Lead multiple projects and technical re-platforming programs through discovery, design, and implementation. Ensure excellence in:
  • Option analysis and documentation
  • Process flow diagrams and block diagrams
  • Simulations and risk assessments
  • Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
  • Reliability and quality analyses
  • Cost estimating and safety studies
  • Technical recommendations and scheduling
  • Prototyping and learning plans
  • Test planning and execution
  • Equipment and material testing
  • Troubleshooting and acceptance testing
  • Construction planning and start-up execution
• Serve as Project Manager and/or Program Leader on complex initiatives, directly owning project scope, cost management, technical readiness, business justification, funding approvals, management reviews, project execution plans, construction activities, schedule adherence, start-up execution, and achievement of all project success criteria. Coach and develop engineering project managers to strengthen execution capabilities across the organization.
• Partner with Manufacturing Operations and Packaging Development R&D leaders to deliver technology and packaging material solutions that achieve safety, quality, reliability, operability, maintainability, sustainability, and cost objectives, while supporting technology transfer and training requirements.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with packaging material suppliers, equipment manufacturers, and technology providers to identify and deliver best‑in‑class solutions that meet cost, quality, schedule, and technical performance objectives.
• Lead, coach, train, and develop direct reports and other technical professionals across the organization.
• Communicate effectively and regularly with leadership regarding project progress, risks, opportunities, and future plans.
• Perform all other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Robotics Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of fifteen (15) years of demonstrated experience in packing/process engineering, packaging technology engineering, robotics, or related disciplines involving the design, improvement, or development of new packing equipment platforms and manufacturing processes.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with Packaging R&D in the development, validation, and commercialization of new packaging solutions and innovative or sustainable materials.
• Demonstrated experience leading teams of engineers, OEMs, suppliers, and contractors in the development and implementation of new technologies that deliver breakthrough results.
• Experience applying TPM and Lean Manufacturing methodologies to support successful vertical start-ups.
• Demonstrated success transforming manufacturing operations through automation, platform modernization, standardization, and complex technical problem solving.
• Proven ability to plan, organize, lead, and influence technical resources while balancing competing priorities and successfully delivering complex programs across multiple manufacturing facilities and product categories.
• Self-motivated and capable of working independently while driving solutions and results.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across functions, divisions, and organizational levels.
• Experience managing, coaching, mentoring, and developing direct reports.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or similar design and engineering software to support equipment design reviews and facility layout development.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, Project, and Visio.
• Ability and willingness to travel as required to support the identification, development, and delivery of technical and business commitments.

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COMPENSATION

In accordance with state law, the rate or range provided is Rich Products Corporation, its subsidiaries and affiliates ("Rich's"), reasonable estimate of the base compensation for this role. The actual amount may be higher or lower, based on non-discriminatory factors such as experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, shift differential, and location.

Annual Range/Hourly Rate

$152,455.00-$228,683.00

Rich Products Corporation, its subsidiaries and affiliates（“Rich’s”）, are committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity , standing up for fairness and maintaining a culture of belonging, to provide an exceptional experience for all. We will not discriminate against an applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, military or veteran status, or any other Federal or State legally protected classes. The information collected by this application is solely to determine suitability for employment, verify identity, and maintain employment statistics on applicants.

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the way things are normally done which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on Rich’s. Please contact Rich’s Associate Experience Network at [e-mail] if you need assistance completing this application or to otherwise participate in the application process.

BRINGING YOUR BEST SELF TO WORK.

As a family-owned company, caring for our associates—their whole selves—is a top priority. That’s why we provide benefits and tools to help our people balance the integration of work and life:

• Competitive compensation
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Family planning support
• Associate resource groups
• Volunteering & community impact opportunities
• Holiday gatherings
• In-house taste tests (we are a food company after all)!

It’s all part of how we support our family of associates. Because in the company of family, all things are possible.

Rich’s, also known as Rich Products Corporation, is a family-owned food company dedicated to inspiring possibilities. From cakes and icings to pizza, appetizers and specialty toppings, our products are used in homes, restaurants and bakeries around the world. Beyond great food, our customers also gain insights to help them stay competitive, no matter their size. Our portfolio includes creative solutions geared at helping food industry professionals compete in foodservice, retail, in-store bakery, deli, and prepared foods, among others. With over 13,500 associates working in 100 locations globally, and annual sales at $5.9billion, Rich’s is a global leader with a focus on everything that family makes possible. Rich’s®—Infinite Possibilities. One Family.