Implementation Manager (Smart Manufacturing & Digital Transformation)

Full-Time | Remote with Travel | Must Be Located Within Easy Driving Distance of Central Ohio | 100% Employee-Owned IMPORTANT: Please complete our applicant survey at the following link. We are not able to accept applications with out a completed survey. Do you enjoy building teams, improving processes, and helping customers successfully adopt technology that makes a measurable impact? At Polaris Automation, we're looking for an Implementation Manager to lead and scale the deployment of Chordata, our manufacturing intelligence platform. This is an opportunity to build a growing implementation function, lead a team of implementation specialists, and help manufacturers unlock greater value from their operational data. If you're equally passionate about people leadership, customer success, and operational excellence, this could be the opportunity to help shape the future of a rapidly growing software business. Who We Are Polaris Automation is a fast-growing, 100% employee-owned smart manufacturing partner helping manufacturers improve quality, efficiency, productivity, and operational performance. We work with some of the world's leading manufacturers to deliver advanced automation, MES, batch, and digital transformation solutions. Chordata is Polaris Automation's manufacturing intelligence platform, designed to transform plant floor data into actionable insights that help manufacturers make smarter decisions. As an employee-owner, you'll have a direct stake in our success and the opportunity to help shape the future of an expanding company. The Opportunity As the Implementation Manager, you'll own the customer implementation experience from project kickoff through go-live and long-term success. You'll lead a growing team responsible for configuring, deploying, and integrating Chordata within complex manufacturing environments. You'll establish scalable implementation processes, develop team capabilities, and work closely with Product Development to ensure customer feedback helps shape the future of the platform. We're looking for someone who wants to build and improve a function, develop people, create repeatable processes, and play a key role in the growth of the Chordata business. While this is a remote position, candidates must be located within reasonable driving distance of Central Ohio to support occasional in-person collaboration, team meetings, customer visits, and company events. What You'll Do Lead, coach, and develop a growing team of Implementation Specialists Own implementation delivery across multiple client engagements Build and continuously improve scalable implementation methodologies, tools, and best practices Plan team capacity, allocate resources, and forecast staffing needs as the business grows Partner directly with manufacturing clients to ensure successful deployment and adoption of the Chordata platform Oversee system configuration, onboarding, testing, go-live activities, and customer handoff processes Support integration of Chordata with PLCs, SCADA systems, historians, MES platforms, and other manufacturing technologies Serve as the primary escalation point for implementation challenges, project risks, and client concerns Partner with Product Development to communicate customer feedback, identify enhancement opportunities, and improve platform adoption Establish and monitor implementation KPIs related to deployment success, time-to-go-live, client success, and operational performance Lead recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and development of future implementation team members What Success Looks Like Clients successfully adopt Chordata and achieve measurable business value Implementations are delivered consistently, efficiently, and with high quality The implementation team is engaged, developing, and performing at a high level Scalable implementation processes support continued business growth Customer feedback is effectively translated into product and process improvements Chordata continues to expand its footprint and reputation within the manufacturing industry What You Bring 5+ years of experience in software implementation, systems integration, professional services, manufacturing technology deployment, or a related field 3+ years of leadership, supervisory, or project leadership experience Experience managing people, developing teams, and driving accountability Strong project management and organizational skills Ability to balance client needs, team capacity, and business priorities Experience working directly with customers in a consultative environment Strong communication skills and the ability to build trust with both technical and business stakeholders A continuous improvement mindset and passion for developing scalable processes Desire to help build and grow a rapidly expanding software business Bonus Points For Experience with MES, SCADA, industrial automation, manufacturing software, or Industry 4.0 technologies Experience implementing enterprise software or SaaS platforms Familiarity with OT/IT integration concepts, industrial communications, and manufacturing data systems Experience working within batch manufacturing environments Experience building implementation methodologies, delivery frameworks, or customer success programs Technical familiarity with SQL, data integrations, or industrial software platforms Why You'll Love Working Here 100% employee-owned: we think and act like owners Opportunity to build and scale a growing implementation organization Direct influence on both customer experience and product evolution Exposure to advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies Flexible remote work environment Collaborative, low-ego culture focused on continuous improvement Opportunity to work alongside industry experts in automation, manufacturing, and digital transformation Opportunity to help shape and scale a rapidly growing software business within an established, employee-owned company High-impact role with visibility across the organization Medical, dental, and vision insurance (day 1) Company-funded Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) 401(k) with company match Flexible schedule and remote work Generous PTO and paid holidays Wellness programs and gym membership reimbursement Mental health and wellbeing benefits #J-18808-Ljbffr