Sr. Automation Solutions Engineer

At Niagara, we’re looking for Team Members who want to be part of achieving our mission to provide our customers the highest quality most affordable bottled water.

Consider applying here, if you want to:

• Work in an entrepreneurial and dynamic environment with a chance to make an impact.
• Develop lasting relationships with great people.
• Have the opportunity to build a satisfying career.

We offer competitive compensation and benefits packages for our Team Members.

Sr Automation Solutions Engineer is a hands‑on technical and problem solving role focused on designing, building, and scaling AI‑driven solutions, intelligent agents, and process automation that support Niagara’s enterprise MRO spare parts inventory strategy. The role is directly responsible for translating business problems into practical automation and AI‑enabled capabilities that improve execution, visibility, and decision‑making across the network.

Embedded within the Inventory Strategy team, this position operates as both a builder and an internal consultant—working closely with manufacturing, procurement, supplier relations, and finance to identify high‑value opportunities, streamline manual processes, and apply data and automation where they deliver meaningful impact. The role blends deep technical delivery with strong operational context to reduce friction, improve inventory performance, and enable scalable, data‑driven outcomes across Niagara’s manufacturing footprint.

Essential Functions

Automation & AI Enablement

• Design, build, enhance, and maintain automation solutions and AI‑enabled capabilities that support MRO inventory and inventory‑related processes, with a focus on reducing manual effort and improving workflow reliability.
• Develop and support AI agents and intelligent automation solutions (e.g., conversational, advisory, or decision‑support tools) where they provide clear value in improving execution quality and decision‑making.
• Build and maintain automation using team standard tools and platforms, such as workflow automation tools, low‑code solutions, scripting, and ERP‑integrated capabilities (e.g., Power Automate, Copilot Studio, Python, and Oracle Fusion).
• Support the development of proof‑of‑concepts and pilot initiatives and transition successful automation solutions into stable, production‑ready workflows.
• Monitor automation performance and outputs; troubleshoot issues, validate results, and iterate solutions to ensure reliability, scalability, and alignment with real‑world execution.
• Leverage data analysis and operational metrics (e.g., inventory KPIs, dashboards, trend analyses) to identify automation opportunities, validate outcomes, and continuously improve automation and AI‑enabled solutions.

Inventory Operations Support

This role is expected to engage directly in inventory operations to ensure automation solutions remain grounded in real execution and that inventory processes are consistently supported.

• Partner closely with the Inventory Specialist and manufacturing teams to support continuity of inventory execution, particularly where system behavior, exceptions, or process gaps create friction.
• Assist with inventory and purchasing related troubleshooting by helping investigate issues, validate outcomes, and ensure follow‑through to resolution.
• Provide inventory context during process changes, pilots, and rollouts to ensure automation and system changes align with how inventory is executed day‑to‑day.
• Support inventory visibility and performance discussions by reviewing issues, trends, or KPIs and helping communicate observations to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Support

• Partner with manufacturing teams to resolve issues where automation, system behavior, or data breakdowns impact MRO inventory execution.
• Collaborate with IT, Procurement, and Finance to ensure automation and AI‑enabled solutions integrate effectively with enterprise systems, workflows, and data standards.
• Communicate progress, insights, and recommendations related to automation initiatives to Inventory Strategy leadership and other key stakeholders.

Travel & On‑Site Support

• Up to 20% to support pilot implementations, attend relevant workshops, and participate in conferences or working sessions related to automation and inventory strategy.

**Please note this job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this role. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without prior notice.

Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications:
  • 4 Years – Experience in the following
    • Development languages (Python, Javascript, Typescript)
    • AI based tools/technologies (LLMs, MCP servers, Agentic AI, RAG, Prompt Engineering)
    • Machine Learning for manufacturing (Predictive Maintenance, Forecasting analysis, Recommendation)
    • Industrial EDGE systems/protocols (OPC/UA, Litmus, Node-RED)
    • Microsoft Cloud & Office Suite (Azure, Copilot, Excel, PowerPoint)
  • 4 Years – Experience in Position
  • 2 Years – Experience managing people/projects

*Experience may include a combination of work experience and education

• Preferred Qualifications:
  • 6 Years – Experience in the following:
    • Development languages (Python, Javascript, Typescript)
    • AI based tools/technologies (LLMs, MCP servers, Agentic AI, RAG, Prompt Engineering)
    • Machine Learning for manufacturing (Predictive Maintenance, Forecasting analysis, Recommendation)
    • Industrial EDGE systems/protocols (OPC/UA, Litmus, Node-RED)
    • Microsoft Cloud & Office Suite (Azure, Copilot, Excel, PowerPoint)
    • Experience with AI‑enabled tools, scripting, or advanced automation (e.g., Copilot Studio, Python, Power Platform)
  • 6 Years – Experience in Position
  • 4 Years – Experience managing people/projects

*Experience may include a combination of work experience and education

Competencies

Proficiency in, but not limited to:

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, including data‑driven analysis and root-cause methodologies.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Copilot, etc.).
• Ability to work independently while managing priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Detail‑oriented team player who collaborates effectively to support team and company objectives.

Education

• Minimum Required:
  • Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Business, Supply Chain, Operations, Information Systems, Analytics, or other related fields or equivalent experience

• Preferred:
  • Master's Degree in Engineering, Business, Supply Chain, Operations, Information Systems, or Analytics

Certification/License:

• Required: N/A
• Preferred: Lean Six Sigma green belt or higher

Typical Compensation Range

Benefits

https://careers.niagarawater.com/us/en/benefits

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Employment agencies that have fee agreements with Niagara Bottling, LLC and have been engaged on a search shall submit résumé to the designated Niagara Bottling, LLC recruiter or, upon authorization, submit résumé into this career site to be eligible for placement fees.