Regional Facilities Manager

Position Summary

The Global Facility Manager works closely with site engineering, NPI, Project Engineering, and Industrial Automation teams, in setting world-class standards for rubber manufacturing and factory automation equipment across the Datwyler Connectors BU. This role provides technical expertise and develops solutions, which drive productivity and operational excellence. They collaborate with stakeholders to implement best practices, improve equipment performance, conduct pilot studies, develop role out plans, and guide investments for CAPEX. This is the critical role for harmonizing equipment and maintenance standards globally for key processes such as mixing, molding, finishing, and packaging of rubber components.

Principle Accountabilities:

• Technical Mastery & Leadership: Be the global expert and principal point of contact for all aspects of manufacturing and facilities equipment. Provide strategic direction and key technical considerations like machine speed, maintenance requirements, vendor selection, URS (User Requirements Specifications), and IQ/OQ/PQ validation.
• Standardization and Harmonization: Define and standardize best-in-class equipment specifications and ensure their reapplication across all Connector BU sites. Collaborate with global engineering, procurement, and technical teams to support investments and ensure consistency.
• Vendor Management: Work closely with key vendors to ensure that equipment purchases are optimized for both performance and cost-efficiency. Develop and influence global vendor partnerships and sourcing strategies.
• Operational Improvement: Drive global OEE improvements by working closely with manufacturing sites to deliver technical solutions, optimization, and troubleshooting support. Ensure the delivery of high OEE with low operating costs through maintenance and technical guidance.
• CAPEX Planning: Play a key role in executing our global CAPEX masterplan, driving equipment innovation, and ensuring that all new investments are aligned with global standards for optimal performance and cost-effectiveness.
• Project Management: Lead PMO process for key automation initiatives across Datwyler sites as defined in the rollout plan – project scoping, resources allocation, timelines, stakeholder management, KPIs and impacts, training and coaching for the local team, communication and project management routines.

Principle Accountabilities

• Knowledge Sharing: Facilitate the sharing of best practices and technical knowledge across our global network of sites, supporting maintenance, training, and optimization efforts to continuously improve equipment performance.
• New Technology: Assess and evaluate new automation technologies, work with sites on proof-of-concept projects, build business case and quantify impact on productivity improvements, and draft technology playbooks as guidelines for sites to adopt and implement.
• Benchmark: Compare company performance with industrial best practices and maintain automation guidelines for Datwyler, including but not limited to instrumentation, automation electrical safety standard, PLC, SCADA, batch control, Energy monitoring system, building management system and other auxiliary automation solutions within the manufacturing environment.

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Mechanical, Chemical, Manufacturing Engineering, or related discipline.
• 10 Years of experience in production processes and equipment for rubber manufacturing, or relevant field.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and innovative thinking (separation of issues, special vs. common cause, identification of root cause, implementation of effective countermeasures)
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders (R&D, Category Leadership, Operations) and drive consensus on technical decisions.
• Deep technical expertise in manufacturing equipment and automation for key processes(mixing, molding, tooling, finishing).
• Proven experience in managing cross-functional projects and leading technical initiatives across multiple sites or regions.

Effective crisis management experience in high-pressure situations

Preferred

• Demonstrated success in driving process improvements, automation implementation, and equipment optimization in a fast-paced, global environment.
• Strong business acumen and the ability to understand the impact of technical decisions on broader business goals.
• Detailed knowledge of PLC, SCADA system, IT and IOT platforms, Digital Manufacturing operations based on actual project experience.
• Detail oriented, analytical, and creative thinker with passion to improve and digitize work processes.
• Strong influencing, interpersonal and communication skills. Demonstrated ability to lead teams and get results in a matrixed organization.

Key Skills

• Strong analytical and project management skills, in depth knowledge of mechanical systems (hydraulics) and process control, high level of knowledge with automation and robotics, knowledge of digital manufacturing operations, strong communication and networking.

Desired Leadership/Growth Behaviors

Growth Behavior:

• Growth Mindset: Demonstrates Curiosity. Welcomes failure as a learning opportunity.
• Smart Risk: Makes bold decisions/recommendations.
• Externally Focused: Understands the upstream and downstream implications of his/her work.
• Performance Driven & Accountable: Has high performance standards. Outperforms her/his peers.
• Fast/Agile: Removes barriers to move faster. Experiments and adapts. Thrives under pressure and fast pace.
• Empowered: Brings solutions instead of problems. Challenges the status quo. Has the courage to take an unpopular stance.

Leadership Behavior:

• Act Like an Owner: Deliver results, creating value for our brands, our System, our customers and key stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the System, Customers and Key Stakeholders
• Develops Self and Others: Develop self and support others' development to achieve their full potential.
• Drive Innovation: Generate new or unique solutions and embrace new ideas that help sustain our business.