Embracing Innovation in Manufacturing: A Day in the Life of Alyssa, Robotics Engineer at Nestlé Purina

At Nestlé Purina, innovation drives our teams to deliver the best together. It is through this shared desire to grow that our organization remains at the forefront of industry-changing solutions. We continue to evolve through the discovery and implementation of cutting-edge technology and digital enhancements, led by our Digital Manufacturing team. Alyssa, an expert in robotics engineering on our Digital Manufacturing team, has a front row seat to many of the exciting transformations happening across our 20+ factories in the United States. Discover how Alyssa is pushing us towards the future of manufacturing through her passion for automation and emerging technology.

Exploring New Technologies
One of Alyssa's primary focuses is exploring emerging technologies that can enhance our manufacturing processes. She collaborates with external vendors to assess groundbreaking solutions that are not yet implemented in our factories. This involves evaluating whether these innovations can fill gaps or create efficiencies in our operations. Alyssa emphasizes the importance of building partnerships with select vendors to foster mutual growth and ensure that the technology we’re pursuing aligns with Purina's short-term and long-term goals.

A Dynamic Role
Alyssa’s workday is anything but monotonous. She spends significant time in the factories—engaging with engineers, maintenance technicians, and operators. Her responsibilities include educating staff on new robotics technologies and facilitating the implementation of advanced systems, such as autonomous mobile robots. This hands-on approach allows her to understand the practical implications of these technologies and how they can be seamlessly integrated into existing workflows.
In addition to factory visits, Alyssa attends conferences to keep up to date on the latest safety standards in robotics. This dual focus on technology and safety ensures that any new implementation is not only effective but also secure for all employees.

Key Considerations in Robotics Implementation
When designing and implementing robotic systems, safety is our top priority. Given that many of the technologies Alyssa’s team works with are new to the market, establishing safety standards is crucial. Collaborating with engineering teams and factory safety managers, we conduct risk assessments, develop protocols, and provide mandatory safety trainings for all team members interacting with robotics to ensure the safest possible integration into our manufacturing environment.
Change management is another critical aspect of Alyssa’s role. Her team’s goal is to implement robotics that free up team members from their manual, time-consuming tasks to support upskilling our workforce. It’s her aspiration that all associates feel comfortable and confident interacting with new technologies, to ultimately help demystify robotics and promote a culture of enthusiasm.

Meet Spot the Dog
One of Alyssa's most notable projects is the deployment of Spot, the robotic dog, who helps complete daily tasks in our facilities that are vital to our processes. Initially launched as a proof of concept at the Clinton factory, the project will continue to expand to include all our factories nationwide. This initiative has not only streamlined operations but also played a pivotal role in upskilling technicians and fostering that cultural shift towards embracing automation.
Spot has proven to be more than just a tool; it has become a member of our Purina team. Associates have quickly adapted to its presence, treating it as a colleague rather than a machine, sparking excitement about future automation possibilities.
See Spot the Dog in action below.