Senior Manufacturing Automation Engineer (Lean & NPI)

Hawthorne Gardening Co.; Iowa; Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 117,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Wellness reimbursement

401K match

Stock discount 15%

Job summary

Scotts Miracle-Gro is seeking a site-level manufacturing engineer to lead automation initiatives and advanced manufacturing projects. You will drive lean improvements across lines, oversee capital projects, and ensure new product introductions are well supported by manufacturing infrastructure.

Responsibilities include coordinating with R&D, Sourcing, and Supply Chain, managing engineering and IT implementation timelines, and working with contractors to meet budgets and delivery schedules.

Qualifications

• Experience implementing automation infrastructure in manufacturing.
• Lean and Six Sigma methodologies across production lines.
• Experience with capital projects and equipment specifications.

Responsibilities

• Lead the site-level implementation of automation infrastructure and advanced manufacturing technologies (Factory of the Future).
• Drive continuous improvement and lean manufacturing methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma) across production lines to optimize workflows.
• Oversee process and design engineering for capital projects, including feasibility studies, economic analysis, equipment specs, and floor commissioning.
• Monitor and analyze manufacturing processes to reduce material losses, shorten cycle times, and improve product quality using data-driven root-cause analysis.
• Act as the primary technical plant liaison with R&D, Sourcing, and Supply Chain to ensure infrastructure supports NPI.
• Manage concurrent engineering and IT implementation projects with disciplined timelines and milestones.
• Coordinate with 3rd-party contractors and vendors to meet technical specs, budgets, and delivery schedules.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Six Sigma

Automation

Capital projects

R&D liaison

Data analysis

Project management

Vendor coordination

Job description

Scotts Miracle-Gro is seeking a site-level manufacturing engineer to lead automation initiatives and advanced manufacturing projects. You will drive lean improvements across lines, oversee capital projects, and ensure new product introductions are well supported by manufacturing infrastructure.

Responsibilities include coordinating with R&D, Sourcing, and Supply Chain, managing engineering and IT implementation timelines, and working with contractors to meet budgets and delivery schedules.