Manufacturing Execution Systems Lead (MES Lead) - Perm, Onsite

Manufacturing Execution Systems Lead (MES Lead)

Full Time, Permanent Hire

Onsite – Greer, SC Clover Consulting has a large direct client in need of a

full time Manufacturing Execution Systems Lead. This position is

ONSITE in Greer, SC. This client is a leader in electric vehicle technology, dedicated to the design and manufacture of zero-emission vehicles that enable fleet operators to reduce operating costs and deliver clean, quiet transportation to the community. They are advancing electric vehicle technology to deliver the world’s best-performing commercial vehicles.

Position Overview:This critical role that will be accountable for leading the transformation of the Company’s Manufacturing Execution Systems Platform. The MES Lead will be responsible for completing the current state assessment of the MES platform by supporting executing near term and mid-term projects, and operations, and strategizing MES roadmap including long term vision. This person will also be responsible for delivering MES changes required for other critical enterprise initiatives related to manufacturing expansion, service operations implementations, PLM/ ERP integrations and other strategic growth and operating effectiveness related initiatives. This individual will bring a solid understanding of manufacturing engineering, systems and tools - required to start/run a manufacturing plant. The position involves: leading a team, architecting solutions, working w PMO teams to support oversight of crucial projects, and providing MES vision and guidance to business and IT teams. About the Role:

• This position will be part of the IT Manufacturing Applications team that supports Manufacturing and Engineering operations.
• Provide the necessary leadership for the creation and design of the detailed MES systems solutions architecture and implementation by supervising integrated solution design, configuration and development tasks that include not only the technology architecture but also the related business processes and information management required for the design and roll out to be successful.
• Work with PMO in planning, resourcing and delivering the overall application roadmap, from shaping the strategy to achieving the desired outcomes through delivery.
• Be a key driver of change across the organization and will be accountable for supporting enterprise change management, communications and training.
• Advise and assist on the company’s building of a high-performance MES solution delivery team and operating model capable of deploying and sustaining the use of this business-critical platform.
• Work closely with the Business and IT leadership teams serving as an expert, bringing forth opportunities to leverage the MES solution to support the efficient running and growth of our organization. Collaborate with shop floor team members to design, build, and develop solutions.
• Work in collaboration with current IT and Business Leadership to manage both domain-specific work streams as well as establish and maintain an integrated approach that ensures all functional areas work seamlessly together. Establish onsite cadences with personnel to ensure reliability in everyday plant operations.
• Drive a coordinated approach to MES-related business process changes and technical system integration across all related MES domains to ensure the integrity of the overall design.
• Coordinate the contributions of external consultants, business functional leads, project managers, as well as business and IT leaders and business SMEs.
• Serve as MES Solution Architect: Understand business drivers and business capabilities (current and future state) and determine corresponding MES solution architecture design and change requirements to drive targeted business outcomes. Provide architectural guidance to Visual Factory and Ignition based MES/SCADA systems.
• Provide subject matter expertise and leading edge-thinking on trends, methodologies, tools, and techniques that will be useful to MES program activities and the organization.
• Own and Oversee Technical Configuration Work: Ensure MES design and configuration work is being conducted based on a well-developed MES solutions architecture and a detailed set of business, functional and technical requirements. Supervise the MES team. Ensure effective ownership and execution of an agile based systems development lifecycle methodology. Provide technical oversight and leadership to Visual Factory and Ignition based MES/SCADA systems. Collaborate with cross functional team on manufacturing services / plant floor services.
• Ensure Partnership with Programs: Works closely with Program Teams to ensure adoption of the systems, ensure business process redesign and standardization, helps to build capacities throughout the organization and anticipate and engender cultural changes that ensure successful implementation.
• Manage MES Business Owner and Executive Sponsor Decision Making Process: Support and prepare for MES Steering Committee Meetings. Attend Business Owner Meetings and ensure the efficiency of MES decision-making process. Works as a part of the IT leadership team on the MES direction, assuring process, people, and technology alignment.
• Oversee MES Deployment Planning and Rollout: Work with the Core Team, IT, Business Leadership, and implementation vendors to create a comprehensive MES deployment rollout strategy and plan. Oversee the effective rollout of the global MES solution.
• Provide Technical and Functional Leadership of the MES Core Team: Coach, mentor, and influence Technical and Business Core Team members. Ensure domain-specific project management tasks for the MES program are being effectively conducted.
• Provide Implementation Partner Engagement Management Oversight: Working with the MES program/project manager, conduct management level relationship management with MES implementation vendors and other third-party consulting partners to assure strategic goals are met and maintained to drive the best cost-effective solution.
• Provide MES Program/Project Management Oversight: Support MES program/project manager in effectively conducting day-to-day MES management. Model Project Management discipline in all in aspects of MES program design, development, implementation, and support. Work with PgM/PM to Forecast, analyze, and control the MES program budget.
• Provide MES Change Management Oversight: Ensure change management is being effectively planned and managed and that stakeholder engagement, communication, and all levels of required training is being effectively executed. Ensure the change management is fully integrated into MES deployment planning and rollout strategy and plan.

Preferred Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science/Technology or equivalent experience.
• 10 or more years of experience related to MES systems implementation and operations, with clear demonstration of progressive achievement and growth in MES solution architecture experience including application controls and automation, and systems integration in a manufacturing, system integrator or OEM environment.
• Experience with
  MES applications, Visual Factory experience a plus.
• Experience with
  SCADA systems, preferably using Inductive Ignition
• Experience with
  MES integration with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, preferably Oracle a plus.
• Experience with
  PLC based controls systems and concepts.
• Experience in
  MS SQL Server, Oracle or other relational databases.
• Team leader with exceptional customer service skills. Requires strong attention to detail and analytical skills as well as problem analysis and resolution. Ability to quickly adjust to a dynamic and fast paced environment. Successfully led complex, full-lifecycle MES implementations
• Five or more years of leadership responsibility managing teams and influencing senior-level management and key stakeholders.

• Project and/or program management certification and/or lean process improvement (i.e., Six Sigma) certification preferred but not required.
• Strong understanding of Manufacturing Engineering process flows and operations.
• Ability to develop strong partnership with the business community. Self-motivated and a problem solver who can assess and develop strategies for achieving the needs of the user community. Drives operational efficiency and identifies, documents, and monitors key business processes within the scope of MES needed to achieve successful business results. Analyzes, maps and documents process and develops a framework for process standardization and improvement.
• Effective verbal, written and interpersonal skills. Ability to speak to technical-level staff and develop written reporting and presentational content with level-appropriate messaging up to and including the senior executive level.
• Ability to lead and direct MES Core Team members in line with the goals of the MES program.
• Encourages and facilitates cooperation, results orientation, and collaboration amongst the team.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a matrix environment, particularly in cross-functional teams across multiple lines of business, over whom there may be no direct authority.
• Experience using project management software tools, such as
  MS Project, Jira, and other tools, to effectively lead, manage, monitor, and control project activities.