ILE Center of Competency - Automation Specialist

Overall Objectives:

Manage Internal Logistics Automation standardization, planning and implementation strategy for new and non-new model activities.

Major Duties:

Lead Internal Logistics Engineering and Plant Material Logistics Management teams on standardization, planning and implementation of automated logistics projects for new, and non-new model, projects, including:

• Establish and maintain regional standards for internal logistics automation technologies and processes (AGVs/AMRs/AFTs/ATUs, mobile & stationary Cobots, AS/RS, picking solutions, etc.), ensuring alignment with global standards.

• Develop a regional internal logistics automation roadmap that aligns with business goals and long-term objectives.

• Define optimized, future state material flow concepts that enable successful deployment of automation solutions across North American plants.

• Analyze current internal logistics processes, including material flow, storage, inventory management to identify automation deployment opportunities.

• Develop future-state material flow automation using standardized automation technologies.

• Provide CoC guidance to plants and business units throughout concept development, automation scoping, cost analysis, vendor evaluation, implementation, commissioning & ramp-up.

• Oversee logistics automation projects to ensure CoC standards, technical requirements and business objectives are met.

• Build and maintain a centralized knowledge repository of best practices, lessons learned, and playbooks for automation solutions and projects.

• Develop the regional annual budget and long-term investment planning for logistics automation initiatives.

Additional Duties:

• Coordinate system integration requirements to ensure seamless connectivity between automation solutions and supporting platforms such as WMS (Warehouse Management System), PFS (Performance Feedback System), Kanban, and FMS (Fleet Management System) across all NA vehicle assembly, powertrain, and stamping facilities.
• Collaborate with NA ILE Innovation Lead to assess new technologies and recommend best in class solutions for material flow automation.
• Participate in Global Innovation, Automation, Kitting and Sequencing and Material Flow Business Club activities to support alignment.
• Evaluate logistics automation vendors and technologies, including but not limited to AGVs/AMRs/AFTs/ATUs, Cobots, vision systems, fleet management systems.
• Ensure all automation designs and operations comply with corporate communication protocols, data standards, IT requirements and safety policies.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management
• Minimum 5+ years' experience in internal logistics engineering.
• Minimum 2+ years' experience in internal logistics automation implementation and continuous improvement.
• Minimum 2+ years' experience in project and program management.
• Excellent Excel, PowerPoint and data management skills required
• Working knowledge of communication protocols, data standards, IT requirements, and safety policies.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters degree in Industrial or Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain Management