Director of Finishing Automation

Position: Director of Finishing Automation

Location: Greenwood, IN / Gallatin, TN

Job Summary:

Join OTC Industrial Technologies as the Director of Finishing Automation, where you will lead the design, development, and delivery of custom automation finishing systems. This role requires a unique blend of technical expertise, P&L responsibility, and commercial leadership to drive profitability and innovation. As a strategic leader, you will align engineering initiatives with business goals, fostering cross-functional collaboration and ensuring customer satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities:

• P&L Ownership: Drive financial performance, ensuring project profitability, cost optimization, and margin improvement.
• Commercial Leadership: Oversee project proposals, assess feasibility, and align solutions with customer needs and revenue / margin objectives.
• Engineering Leadership: Lead the engineering function for automation finishing systems from concept through installation.
• Translate customer requirements into scalable engineering solutions that meet performance, cost, and timeline objectives.
• Drive the technical roadmap and product strategy in collaboration with executive leadership, ESG and distribution commercial teams.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams in delivering high-quality, custom automation solutions.
• Build and maintain relationships with customers, vendors, and stakeholders to support business growth.
• Mentor and manage engineering teams, fostering talent development and operational excellence.
• Monitor market trends and competitor activities to inform strategic decision-making.
• Represent the Engineering Systems Group in customer meetings, site visits, and technical reviews.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering; MBA or Master's preferred.
• 10+ years in engineering roles, with 5+ years in leadership, ideally in automation or finishing systems.
• Demonstrated success in managing complex projects and P&L responsibilities.
• Strong understanding of financial models, pricing strategies, and ROI analysis.
• Expertise in Lean, Six Sigma, or operational excellence methodologies is a plus.
• Proficiency in drafting, electrical schematics, and system design.
• Able to comprehend mechanical, pneumatic, fluid, sheet metal, and system layouts
• Hands-on experience in automation systems, including installation, commissioning, and control integration.
• Experience in networking concepts and application of network control strategies
• Knowledge and understanding of control systems governed by platforms such as Allen Bradley, Mitsubishi, Omron, and Siemens, Logix 500 & 5000, Studio 5000, Factory Talk View ME/SE, Fanuc Paint Pro
• Experience with industrial safety applications, equipment, and practices, and JSAs
• Knowledge of industry standards (NEC, IEC, NFPA70) and safety practices.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• The candidate must enjoy and excel at building personal relationships with internal and external clients at various levels, including customers, vendors, engineers, and branch managers.
• Demonstrated ability to learn and apply technical and scientific product-related information.
• Demonstrated knowledge of manufacturing codes and standards. (NEC, IEC, NFPA70, UL) Understanding specifications and their utilization within the finishing industry is a plus.
• Powerful sense of urgency and accountability
• Excellent customer relationship building skills.
• Exceptional verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Proven experience in creating technical equipment quotations
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams)
• Ability to understand written and oral English and be proficient with computer, email, spreadsheets and look up documents online
• Valid Driver's License
• Ability to work in environments that may include:
  
  
  
  • Moving mechanical parts
  • Fumes or airborne particles
  • Painting chemicals and solvents
  • Electrical equipment
  
  
  
  

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Requires ability to walk, climb, stand, carry materials, stoop, kneel, bend at waist.
• Maximum unassisted lift = 50 lbs. Average lift less than 50 lbs

Competencies

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Adaptability - Ability to be flexible and adjust to changes in your work environment. You can respond quickly to changing ideas, responsibilities, expectations, trends, strategies and other processes. Being adaptable also means possessing soft skills like interpersonal, communication, creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Accuracy - Ability to detect errors in normal course of work by standard check or routine crosscheck. Errors resulting from inaccuracy would create minor confusion, delay or expense to correct the situation.
• Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Keeps commitments.
• Initiative - Takes independent actions and calculated risks; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.
• Customer Service - Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance.
• Problem Solving - Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.
• Planning/Organization - Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Develops realistic action plans.
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Demonstrates group presentation skills.
• Collaboration - Ability to work with others to achieve a common goal; Building and maintaining relationships through shared responsibility, respect, and empathy.