First Quality was founded in 1989 and has grown to be a global privately held company with over 4,000 employees. Its corporate offices are located in Great Neck, New York, with manufacturing facilities and offices in Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Georgia, and Canada. First Quality is a diversified family of companies manufacturing consumer products ranging from Absorbent Hygiene (adult incontinence, feminine care, and baby care), Tissue (bath and towel), and Industrial (print and packaging materials), serving institutional and retail markets throughout the world. First Quality focuses on private label and branded product lines.

We are seeking an experienced MES Solution Architect for First Quality Enterprises, LLC. The Manufacturing Solution Delivery team provides strategic direction, technical/functional expertise, and product management for First Quality’s manufacturing systems The MES Solution Architect, as a key member of the Manufacturing Solution Delivery team, provides functional and technical leadership for the definition, design, and delivery of First Quality’s manufacturing systems.

Solution Architects are assigned one or more specialization area(s) such as MES, Quality, etc. This position is responsible for overall architecture, product management, and delivery of the assigned systems. The person in this role will interact with team members at manufacturing sites to define business requirements, scope solutions, develop specifications, and oversee delivery of solutions including integration to other FQ systems.

This position is the go-to contact for their assigned system specialization and, as such, serves as the ultimate support escalation point for their assigned system(s).  The person in this position owns their assigned system(s) and interacts with all divisions within First Quality. This position will be held accountable for the training, education, and execution of manufacturing systems with the goal to fully utilize their capabilities. The person in this position will work closely with the leaders and Solution Architects of the following areas: Planning & Architecture, Business Systems, Analytics, Software Quality Assurance, Enterprise Application Integration, and Solution Support to maintain a complete end-to-end manufacturing systems lifecycle (Architecture to Support). As such, proven evidence of being a team player is critical for success in this role.

Primary responsibilities include:

Focuses on strategic initiatives and plans; is proactive, anticipatory, and driving in nature to provide significant value to divisions/functions.

Plays a lead role in enabling the business to achieve their objectives through the effective use of technology.

Work with business leadership to document a clear vision of a business problem/opportunity and how it supports the business plan.

Works with the Campus/Divisions to understand business strategy and define system requirements.

Ensures sound integration of processes and assigned systems across FQ.

Leads/manages delivery of Class B Manufacturing Systems projects/solutions (medium size/complexity) on time, within budget and to customer expectations.

Ensures adherence to IT Architecture principles and guidelines.

Ensures optimal application performance and maintainability of assigned systems thus enabling scalability and continuous updates from software vendors.

Stays current on emerging manufacturing technologies.

MES Responsibilities:

Provides overall direction, development, and integration of MES systems.

Works with plant personnel and Divisional IT Leaders to understand and address business requirements.

Serves as Subject Matter Expert for MES systems in the areas of:

Execution. Supports and optimizes the MES systems (GE Proficy, PARCview) as well as

MES bolt-on solutions (i.e., Loftware, NiceLabel, etc.)

Knowledge of: GE Proficy Plant Applications, GE Proficy Historian, OPC Servers, MS SQL Server, Windows Server products, TCP/IP, Citrix Server, Visual Basic 6 / .Net, VB Script.

Experience with SSRS reporting

Integration. Manufacturing Systems integration to Business Systems (ERP), Analytics/Reporting, MHE equipment, and Shop Floor Data Acquisition Equipment

Analytics. Ensures relevant manufacturing systems data is available in First Quality Analytics platform (PARCview)

The ideal candidate should possess the following:

Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or related field

Manufacturing Systems experience (GE Proficy – Plant Apps preferred)

Strong problem solving and decision-making skills with excellent written and verbal communications skills.

3+ years of progressive IT experience with at least 1 year in Manufacturing Systems

Ability and desire to engage with assigned business functions of the Enterprise to understand and articulate the business requirements as well as the IT capabilities and requirements.

Experience implementing software used in 24x7 shop floor environments.

Experience working with Heath Care Validated Systems

Fluent in English

Knowledge of standards and methodology of Project Management

Institute (PMI). PMP certification desired but not required.

Ability to work within a 24/7 environment across multiple time zones.

Results oriented, customer focused, team player, proactive.

Highly motivated

Sensitive to cultural diversities

Problem analysis and problem resolution at both a strategic and functional level

Strategy, planning, and execution: an ability to think and plan over a 12–36-month time span.

Excellent organizational and time management skills

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate to both business and technical individuals.

Ability to influence and lead change.

Strong influence skills – ability to deliver without direct reporting relationships.

Proven ability to deliver despite obstacles.

Trustworthy

Excellent listener & communicator

Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with business and IT colleagues.

Acts as a Salesperson for business system needs and technology requirements.

Shows consistent and appropriate responsiveness to both urgent and non-critical matters.

Ability to travel approximately 10-15%, with flexibility to travel more during peak periods

For MES:

Exposure to MES technologies, including automated data collection, visualization, quality, efficiency, SCADA, DCS, automated decision control, workflow, scheduling, and interface to ERP systems.

At least 5 years’ experience working hands-on experience with the GE

Proficy suite of application including Historian and Plant Apps

Experience in the integration of shop floor control applications with PLC equipment and ERP manufacturing applications

First Quality is committed to protecting information under the care of First Quality Enterprises commensurate with leading industry standards and applicable regulations.  As such, First Quality provides at least annual training regarding data privacy and security to employees who, as a result of their role specifications, may come in to contact with sensitive data.

First Quality is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identification, or protected Veteran status.