Regional Controls and Automation Engineer

About Sun Opta

Sun Opta delivers customized supply chain solutions and innovation for top brands, retailers, and food service providers across a broad portfolio of beverages, broths, and better-for-you snacks. With over 50 years of expertise, Sun Opta fuels customers' growth with high-quality, sustainability-forward solutions distributed through retail, club, food service, and e-commerce channels across North America.

The Controls Engineering Manager leads a team of five or more Controls Engineers responsible for the design, implementation, and optimization of manufacturing automation and controls systems. This role bridges the disciplines of Process Control, Information Technology and Enterprise Architecture, focusing on the integration, optimization, and oversight of automated systems across manufacturing and operational environments. This role ensures operational excellence, compliance, and continuous improvement in plant automation, supporting enterprise-wide initiatives and capital projects.

• Leadership & Team Development
  • Direct, coach, and mentor a team of Controls Engineers.
  • Oversee performance management, training, and professional development.
  • Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture aligned with Sun Opta's values.
• Project & Operations Management
  • Plan, prioritize and manage automation improvement projects and capital installations.
  • Ensure timely execution of controls systems design, programming, simulation, testing, and start-up.
  • Oversee Factory Acceptance Testing and Provisional Acceptance Testing for new equipment.
• Technical Oversight
  • Set standards for electrical and automation engineering practices.
  • Oversee design, implementation, and maintenance of control systems, including PLCs, DCS, HMIs, and SCADA networks.
  • Guide development and validation of control system protocols.
  • Ensure compliance with IEEE, IEC, NEC, and company standards.
  • Serve as the plant's subject matter expert on IT/OT convergence, ensuring alignment between control networks and corporate IT infrastructure.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Partner with Production, Information Technology, Quality, Supply Chain, Warehouse, and Finance to meet operational targets.
  • Facilitate coordination between maintenance and operations to resolve process issues.
  • Collaborate with IT teams to implement secure connectivity solutions, network segmentation, and cybersecurity practices in the control environment.
  • Support integration of control data systems to Enterprise applications to enable real-time visibility and decision-making.
• Continuous Improvement & Reliability
  • Drive continuous improvement in process control systems, including Advanced Process Control, Alarm Management, and Operator Interface Optimization.
  • Drive digital transformation initiatives at the plant level, including advanced analytics, predictive maintenance, and industrial IoT applications.
  • Lead initiatives to maximize equipment efficiency, reliability, and asset life.
• Safety & Compliance
  • Promote a culture of safety and ensure adherence to GMPs, food safety, and quality standards.
  • Serve as a safety role model and champion continuous improvement in safety practices.
• Stakeholder Communication
  • Communicate project status, technical issues, and improvement opportunities to senior leadership.
  • Represent the controls engineering function in cross-functional meetings and audits.

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Controls, Electronics, Engineering, or related discipline or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years of experience in industrial controls, including leadership of engineering teams.
• Demonstrated expertise with Allen Bradley control platforms (SLC
  500, Control Logix, Micro Logix, Panel View Plus, RS Logix, RS View), Servo and VFD devices.
• Experience in aseptic and/or high-speed beverage manufacturing environments.
• Successful track record in commissioning and startup automation projects.

• Master's degree in Industrial Controls, Electronics, Engineering, or related discipline.
• Advanced knowledge of NEC and international standards.
• Proficiency in designing and programming control systems (PLCs, SCADA, HMI).
• Experience with SQL Server, Oracle, or other relational databases.
• Familiarity with thermal pasteurization and sterilization production processes and Clean In Place (CIP).
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing and reliability engineering.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• SQF practical experience and training.

• Travel:
  Sustaining 25%, up to 50% during critical project demands.
• This job description is not exhaustive and may be revised as needed.

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Paid Family leave
• Paid maternity leave
• 401(k) with Match
• Voluntary Life, Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital indemnity
• Paid Holidays
• Tuition assistance
• Short-term and Long-term Disability insurance

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER EOE M/W/VET/DISABLED