Sr Project Specialist

About the role

As Automation Project Leader, you'll lead Southco's global portfolio of automation and manufacturing equipment projects. You'll manage 3–5 capital equipment and automation initiatives at a time across our Americas and European sites, including Honeoye Falls (NY), Concordville (PA), Chihuahua (Mexico), São Paulo (Brazil), Poland and Worcester (UK).You'll own the full project lifecycle: scoping, supplier sourcing and management, budget and schedule control, regulatory compliance, and installation and commissioning. You'll work with equipment sourced both domestically and internationally, with a focus on China-based suppliers. Individual projects typically range from $50K to $500K, and your active portfolio will represent $500K–$3M in combined capital spend at any given time.You'll partner with Regional Operations Directors, plant engineering and manufacturing leaders, and international suppliers, and travel internationally about 20% of the time for supplier qualification, factory acceptance testing, and on-site installation and start-up.

What you will be doing

How you will be making an impact

• Deliver global automation projects: Lead 3–5 concurrent automation and manufacturing equipment projects from scope definition through installation and start-up, making sure each one meets its technical, cost and schedule goals.

• Keep projects on track: Build and maintain project scopes, budgets and schedules, track performance against cost, schedule and quality targets, and report variances to plant and regional leadership.

• Find and manage the right suppliers: Source, evaluate and manage automation equipment suppliers, including those in China and other low-cost regions, negotiating scope, cost and quality to get the best balance of capability and value.

• Ensure safety and compliance: Confirm that automation and controls equipment meets regional regulatory and safety standards before it ships, is installed and starts up in its destination market.

• Align teams around the world: Work with plant operations, engineering and Regional Operations Directors across the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific to align on priorities, resources and installation readiness.

• Communicate with clarity: Keep Southco and plant leadership informed on project status, risks and roadmap through structured reporting, escalating issues and proposing mitigation plans when needed.

• Lead on the ground: Travel to supplier facilities and manufacturing plants to lead factory acceptance testing, oversee installations and commission new equipment.

About you

• A skilled prioritizer: You balance multiple projects with ease, quickly zero in on what matters most, and shift focus as needs change.

• Organized and results-driven: You set clear goals, schedules and budgets, track progress closely, and adjust plans to keep every project on time and on budget.

• Globally minded: You work comfortably across regions, cultures and time zones, and enjoy partnering with international suppliers and plant teams.

• A natural collaborator: You build strong relationships across functions and geographies and can align stakeholders around shared goals without formal authority.

• Technically curious: You stay current on automation, controls and manufacturing equipment technology and use that knowledge to make sound decisions.

• A Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial or Manufacturing Engineering, or an equivalent combination of education and experience (required).

• 7+ years of experience in manufacturing/automation engineering, controls or capital project management (required).

• A proven track record of managing multiple concurrent capital equipment projects from concept through installation and start-up (required).

• Excellent cross-cultural communication skills and the ability to work effectively with global suppliers and plant teams across time zones (required).

• Willingness and ability to travel internationally about 20% of the time, including to China and other supplier and plant locations (required).

The Salary for this role is $85,000 to $108,000 DOE.

• PMP certification or equivalent formal project management training (preferred).

• Experience sourcing, qualifying and managing international equipment suppliers, particularly in Asia/China (preferred).

• Working knowledge of machine safety compliance frameworks such as UL/NFPA 79 (US), CE Machinery Directive (EU), UKCA (UK), NOM (Mexico) and NR-12/INMETRO (Brazil) (preferred).

• Strong knowledge of PLCs, HMIs and industrial controls, enough to evaluate supplier proposals and equipment designs (preferred).

• Proficiency with project management, ERP and CAD/PLM tools such as MS Project, SAP, NX and SolidWorks (preferred).

How will we reward you

Southco offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, along with the opportunity to put your fingerprints on every major product launch across the company. As part of this role you can expect:

• Competitive base salary and performance-based incentives

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage

• Retirement savings plan with company contribution

• Paid time off and holidays

• Opportunities for professional growth within a global marketing organization

• Direct, high-visibility partnership with Product Management, Sales, and Industry Marketing leaders

• A dynamic role with variety — from strategic launch planning to hands-on campaign execution