Build a career powered by innovations that matter!At Novanta, our innovations power technology products that are transforming healthcare and advanced manufacturing—improving productivity, enhancing people’s lives and redefining what’s possible. We create for our global customers engineered components and sub-systems that deliver extreme precision and performance for a range of mission-critical applications—from minimally invasive surgery to robotics to 3D metal printing.

Novanta is one global team with over 26 offices located in The Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific. Looking for a great place to work? You have found it with a culture that embraces teamwork, collaboration and empowerment. Come explore Novanta.

Are you passionate about all things automation? Are you able to lead new initiatives from concept to launch, and work collaboratively with cross functional colleagues? Would you like to work with us in our brand news, state of the art facility in Stockport?

If so, then this role could be just for you. We are seeking an Automation Manager to be focused on our laser R&D and manufacturing centre of excellence in Stockport.

This is an exciting new role, joining the Laser Quantum business unit and a wonderful team within R&D, Engineering and Manufacturing. The purpose of the role is to project manage new concepts and initiatives for semi-automation across our laser manufacturing site.

Automation Manager

Stockport - Hybrid

Summary

This job is responsible for the introduction and implementation of automation into R&D, Engineering and Manufacturing. 

Primary Responsibilities

Examines the manufacturing process for automation opportunities that improve safety, quality, productivity, and efficiency, makes proposals/recommendations, and then leads the implementation. Creates, writes, and modifies work instructions related to automated processes.  Together with the CTO, build a new way of thinking in the design philosophy of products fit for Automation.  Understand the Product portfolio and architecture and lead the transformation to Design for Automation (DfA) in product design, testing, verification and manufacturing. Identify opportunities for automation in design and manufacture of products and specify, define, design and implement automation processes and tools. Participate and contribute in the NPI process end to end and provide relevant deliverables for stage gates along the NPI Process. Create & implement automation workflow into production environment (Value Stream Mapping to maximise Return Of Investment).  Determine and document important process and functional requirements in the design and control of automation equipment and process. define and implement appropriate SPC measures to monitor performance of assembly processes, including first pass yields, productivity. Lead cross functional project teams from ideation to implementation of tooling.  Estimates manufacturing costs, process time and manpower requirements as it relates to applied automation. Consolidates, documents, and presents results for review.  Utilises structured problem solving techniques to troubleshoot a variety of production problems involving continuous manufacturing processes. Investigates and determines the root cause of failures and problems. Recommends countermeasures or changes in processing methods.  Conducts R&D, engineering trials, experimentation, and production process evaluations analysis for manufacturing operations to vette concepts and support recommendations. Analyses production data and identifies trends, problems, and opportunities for improvement. Recommends process adjustments to improve product quality and manufacturing efficiency and reduce material and manpower costs.  Prepares training materials and trains key production employees and production supervisors on new work procedures and manufacturing processes. 

Skills and Experience:

As an ideal candidate for this role of Automation Manager, you should have;

Proven experience in a related field within automation engineering. Experience with creating and implementing automated mounting and assembly processes.  Experience with manufacturing productivity control (SPC) through automated assembly processes.  Ability to measure and verify manufacturing process KPIs and adapt automated processes to meet productivity and quality targets.  Excellent organisational and timekeeping skills.  Strong communication and presentation skills.  Ability to mentor and train staff.  Ability to engage with change management tools, and support colleagues through a change process.  High degree of personal integrity and ability to perform well as part of a team.  Working knowledge of automated production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximising the effective manufacture of goods.  Excellent analytical, problem solving, communication, and presentation skills. Strong maths skills. Intermediate skills in Excel and other application software used in production of technical plans, blueprints, drawings and models.

What do we offer?

A competitive base salary reviewed annually. Annual Bonus Scheme Private Medical Insurance Scheme. Annual leave - 23 days + bank holidays, rising each year to 26 days. Death in service scheme. Enhanced company pension scheme. A friendly and sociable working environment - including regular business unit wide social clubs, activities and events. Employee Assistance Programme Volunteering Days.

As an inclusive employer, Novanta wants to see every candidate performing at their best throughout the application process, interview process and whilst at work. We therefore encourage you to inform your Talent Acquisition Partner of any reasonable adjustments you might need to enable this to happen.

Novanta is proud to be an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action workplace. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, military and veteran status, disability, genetics, or any other category protected by federal law or Novanta policy.

Please call +1 781-266-5700 if you need a disability accommodation for any part of the employment process.