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…