Director of Automation and Controls

Summary

The Director of Automation and Controls is a critical member of the Technical Services organization, responsible for establishing and leading the overall automation, controls, and digital manufacturing strategy for a large-scale food manufacturing facility. This individual provides senior-level leadership to enhance organizational capability through coaching, mentorship, and development of technical talent while driving a high-performance, cross-functional team.

This role leads the planning and execution of automation initiatives that support operational excellence, including improvements in system reliability, production efficiency, and data-driven decision making. The Director partners closely with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Food Safety, and IT to ensure automation systems are aligned with business priorities and support safe, compliant, and efficient production.

This leader is accountable for defining long-term automation roadmaps, leading capital project execution, advancing digital manufacturing capabilities, and ensuring robust, secure, and scalable automation and control systems. The position maintains responsibility for ensuring food safety, product quality, and regulatory compliance across all automation systems.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the site-wide automation and controls strategy, ensuring alignment with operational goals, capacity needs, and business priorities
• Develop and maintain a multi-year automation roadmap, including system modernization, digital manufacturing initiatives, and predictive technologies
• Lead capital automation projects from concept through commissioning, ensuring delivery on time, within scope, and on budget
• Provide leadership in the design, implementation, and integration of IT/OT systems including network infrastructure, PLC systems, SCADA, HMI, MES, and data platforms
• Establish and enforce standards and best practices for automation systems, including PLC programming, HMI design, electrical controls, and network architecture
• Drive operational excellence by improving system reliability, reducing downtime, and increasing overall equipment effectiveness (OEE)
• Lead root cause analysis efforts for critical failures and implement sustainable corrective actions
• Utilize data and reporting platforms (Wonderware, Historian, ICIS, etc.) to support data-driven performance improvements
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, IT, Safety, and Quality to prioritize and resolve technical challenges and optimize system performance
• Support project teams in identifying and scoping automation and electrical requirements for process improvements and capital investments
• Advance digital manufacturing and connectivity initiatives, including MES integration, industrial data systems, and predictive maintenance technologies
• Ensure cybersecurity awareness and compliance within plant automation networks in partnership with IT
• Provide leadership in troubleshooting complex automation issues, ensuring rapid resolution and long-term system stability
• Oversee the lifecycle management of automation systems including PLC programs, HMI applications, electrical documentation, and system architecture
• Drive development of reliable automation solutions including control system design, instrumentation selection, project scoping, and cost estimation
• Ensure all automation systems comply with food safety requirements, GMPs, regulatory standards, and sanitation practices
• Support audit readiness and continuous improvement related to quality and compliance systems
• Lead and develop a team of engineers and technical resources including performance management, mentorship, and succession planning
• Manage vendor relationships and external partners to ensure effective delivery of services and solutions.

Requirements

Competency Requirements:

• Strong leadership capability with demonstrated ability to develop, mentor, and elevate technical teams
• Ability to think strategically while executing effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
• Advanced technical expertise in:
  • PLC systems (Allen Bradley PAC/PLC)
  • HMI/SCADA systems (Factory Talk View ME/SE, Wonderware, Ignition)
  • Industrial…