Global Lead of Automation

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at https://www.jnj.com

Job Function: Strategy & Corporate Development
Job Sub Function: Digital Strategy & Deployment
Job Category: People Leader
All Job Posting Locations: Beerse, Antwerp, Belgium; Geel, Antwerp, Belgium; Latina, Italy; Leiden, South Holland, Netherlands; Ringaskiddy, Cork, Ireland

Job Description: Our expertise in Innovative Medicine is informed and inspired by patients, whose insights fuel our science-based advancements. Visionaries like you work on teams that save lives by developing the medicines of tomorrow.

Join us in developing treatments, finding cures, and pioneering the path from lab to life while championing patients every step of the way.

Johnson & Johnson is recruiting for a Global Lead of Automation, based in a J&J manufacturing site in Athens GA, Gurabo PR, Cork IR, Leiden NL, Beerse/Geel BE, Schaffhausen CH, or Latina IT. This position is required to be on site 3 days per week.

Position Summary: The Global Lead of Automation is a critical leadership role responsible for transforming the organization’s automation capabilities, infrastructure, and skills to a new level of excellence. The role requires a strategic thinker who can move the needle in areas such as Process Control, robotics, and intelligent automation to drive operational efficiency and innovation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive automation strategy that aligns with the company’s overall business objectives and drives competitive advantage in the marketplace.
• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement in automation practices, ensuring alignment with emerging technologies and industry trends.
• Champion the development and implementation of advanced Manufacturing Process Control Systems and other automation tools to streamline processes and enhance productivity, adaptability, and agility.
• Establish standardized solutions and governance frameworks across all global sites to ensure consistency, efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance across all nodes, in line with site and Supply Chain strategies.
• Lead and oversee the implementation of the Assets Management Framework and maturity roadmaps for automation.
• Lead the transformation of automation skills and infrastructure, enhancing the organization’s ability to leverage advanced technologies, including AI, machine learning, and IoT, to optimize operations.
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of automation initiatives and their impact on operational performance, quality, and cost efficiency.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of automation solutions into existing workflows and operations.
• Build strong partnerships with external technology providers and industry leaders to leverage best practices and innovative solutions.
• Lead and develop a high-performing automation organization (indirect reporting relationship), fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation.
• Mentor and coach automation leaders and experts, and cultivate talent within the organization to ensure the growth of future leaders in automation.

• Visionary Leadership: Ability to articulate a compelling vision for automation that inspires and engages stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Strategic Thinker: Proven experience in developing and executing long-term strategies that align with business objectives and drive technological advancement.
• Innovative Mindset: Demonstrated ability to leverage emerging technologies and trends to drive transformation and continuous improvement in automation practices.
• Cross-Functional Influence: Strong interpersonal skills, capable of engaging and influencing stakeholders across multiple functions and regions.
• Business & Financial acumen: Strong business financials and cost structure understanding and experience, including business case development.
• Results-Oriented: Track record of setting ambitious goals and achieving measurable improvements in operational performance through automation initiatives.
• Change Management: Experience leading organizational change, particularly in the adoption of new technologies and practices in a global context.
• Exceptional Communication: Strong communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to diverse audiences, including senior leadership.

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree is required. A Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field; advanced degrees (e.g., MBA) is preferred.
• A minimum of 15 years of experience in automation or technology leadership roles in a regulated complex multi-node manufacturing environment, with a strong emphasis on driving transformation, including at least 5 years of regional or global leadership experience is required.
• Extensive experience with automation technologies, MES, and intelligent automation solutions in a regulated environment, ideally within the pharmaceutical or manufacturing sectors is required.
• Comprehensive understanding of automation technologies, with expertise in process automation frameworks, industrial IoT solutions, and data integration platforms. Proficient in leveraging AI and machine learning algorithms to enhance automation processes, along with hands-on experience in designing and implementing programmable logic controller (PLC) systems and human-machine interface (HMI) solutions to optimize operational efficiency is required.
• Proven track record of leading large-scale automation transformations and successfully implementing innovative solutions that drive operational excellence is required.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory requirements and industry standards related to automation and technology is required.
• This position is required to be on site 3 days per week and requires up to 25% domestic and international travel, based on business needs.

Please note that this role is available across multiple countries and may be posted under different requisition numbers to comply with local requirements. While you are welcome to apply to any or all of the postings, we recommend focusing on the specific country(s) that align with your preferred location(s):
Switzerland: 2506236573W
Belgium, Italy, Netherlands, Ireland: R-010307
US, Puerto Rico: R-010308
Remember, whether you apply to one or all of these requisition numbers, your applications will be considered as a single submission.