Senior Manager, Automation

About the role

Passionate about industrial automation, digital transformation, and operational excellence? Join us to lead the next generation of manufacturing technology. We are seeking an experienced automation leader to oversee the design, implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of manufacturing automation systems within a regulated production environment. Reporting to the site technology leadership team, this position will lead a team of automation engineers responsible for supporting critical process equipment and IT/OT infrastructure.

Primary Responsibilities

The successful candidate will play a key role in driving automation strategy, ensuring operational reliability, and delivering innovative solutions that support manufacturing excellence. This position requires strong technical expertise across automation platforms, process equipment, and compliance-focused environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead automation activities related to the design, installation, commissioning, maintenance, and support of manufacturing process equipment and automation systems.
• Provide leadership and direction to a team of automation engineers supporting site operations.
• Develop and execute automation strategies aligned with site and global business objectives.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance system performance, reliability, and operational efficiency.
• Serve as the owner of process-related computerised systems and ensure their ongoing compliance and performance.
• Establish, monitor, and improve key performance indicators for automation and control systems.
• Manage change control activities and corrective and preventive action (CAPA) processes related to automation systems.
• Act as subject matter expert during investigations, inspections, and regulatory audits involving automation platforms.
• Support lifecycle management activities, including the development and maintenance of technical documentation such as user requirements, functional specifications, and detailed design specifications.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, operations, engineering, quality, and technical services teams to support new process introductions and operational improvements.
• Partner with internal stakeholders, vendors, and contractors to ensure alignment with technical standards and project requirements.
• Support long-term facility, equipment, and technology roadmaps through strategic engineering input.
• Promote knowledge sharing, training, and development within the automation engineering team.
• Ensure compliance with applicable safety, quality, cybersecurity, and regulatory requirements.
• Support digitalisation initiatives and the adoption of emerging automation technologies.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Extensive experience supporting industrial automation systems within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of automation platforms including DCS, PLC, SCADA, MES, Historian, and related systems.
• Experience supporting process equipment within highly regulated manufacturing facilities.
• Thorough understanding of computerised system design, operation, maintenance, and lifecycle management.
• Demonstrated experience leading technical teams and managing cross-functional stakeholder relationships.
• Knowledge of industry regulations, compliance requirements, and quality systems within regulated environments.
• Experience with Building Management Systems (BMS), maintenance management systems, and related infrastructure technologies.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication abilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and technical documentation practices.

Desired Skills

• Automation Engineering
• Industrial Automation
• IT/OT Integration
• SCADA Systems
• PLC Programming and Support
• Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)
• Distributed Control Systems (DCS)
• Process Control
• Data Historian Platforms
• Digital Manufacturing
• Continuous Improvement
• Computerised Systems Validation
• Root Cause Analysis
• Change Management
• Technical Leadership