Senior Automation Engineer

About the Company

Our client is a prominent supplier of superior food and beverage ingredients, collaborating with farming communities worldwide to cultivate, source, and produce ingredients that benefit consumers, farmers, and the environment. Their portfolio includes cocoa, coffee, dairy, nuts, and spices, often sourced from their own farms and hundreds of thousands of farmers across nearly 50 countries. With extensive manufacturing and innovation capabilities, they provide ingredients for diverse products such as plant-based latte mixes and dairy-free ice creams. Their mission centers on fostering positive impacts on people and the planet.

Their cocoa division ranks among the top three processors globally, supplying natural cocoa ingredients including beans, powder, butter, and liquor. They work closely with partners to develop indulgent cocoa products while supporting sustainable farming. Initiatives like the Cocoa Compass demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and traceability, achieving milestones such as complete supply chain traceability and deforestation monitoring.

Role Summary

The Senior Automation Engineer role is pivotal in managing the design, upkeep, and enhancement of industrial automation systems at the plant. This person will ensure operational dependability, drive continuous technological improvements, and oversee advanced automation implementations.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage preventive and corrective maintenance of automation platforms including ABB 800xA DCS, Schneider and Siemens PLCs, and Fix32 SCADA systems.
• Maintain high availability and reliability of automation systems, aiming for minimal downtime.
• Devise strategies to improve long-term system performance and durability.
• Lead design, development, and deployment of new automation solutions and process enhancements.
• Create control logic, HMI interfaces, and integrate SCADA and DCS platforms.
• Design interfaces for smart automation devices such as robots and label applicators.
• Conduct root cause analyses and resolve complex system issues promptly to minimize production disruption.
• Serve as the point of escalation for critical automation failures.
• Lead initiatives to optimize system efficiency and performance using analytics and best practices.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation and ensure compliance with standards and regulations.
• Stay updated on emerging automation technologies and lead modernization projects.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with production, engineering, and maintenance teams, and mentor junior staff.

Candidate Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Automation Engineering, or a related field.
• Between 5 to 8 years’ experience in industrial automation, ideally in food & beverage or FMCG industries.
• Proven track record in automation project leadership and complex system troubleshooting.
• Expertise with ABB 800xA DCS, Schneider & Siemens PLC programming, and SCADA systems like Fix32.
• Solid knowledge of control systems, industrial networking, and automation principles.
• Strong analytical problem-solving skills coupled with excellent leadership and communication capabilities.
• Ability to work independently and lead cross-functional teams effectively.
• Advantageous: experience in food manufacturing environments familiar with HACCP, GMP, and sanitation standards; exposure to robotics, vision systems, and Industry 4.0 technologies.

Additional Information

• This role offers the chance to spearhead automation strategy and plant modernization.
• High profile position directly influencing production efficiency and plant outcomes.
• Opportunity to drive innovation and digital transformation initiatives.
• The employer values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.
• Applicants must complete all application steps including providing a resume to be considered.