Director, Manufacturing Automation & Controls Strategy

Lead the Next Wave of Manufacturing Automation

Location: Chicago, IL (Corporate Headquarters)

Reports To: Senior Director, Process Engineering

Travel: Up to 50%

About the Role

You will set the vision and blueprint for how our plants automate, connect, and scale. From PLCs and HMIs to SCADA, robotics, motion systems, and industrial networks, you’ll architect enterprise-wide solutions that lift performance, reliability, quality, and sustainability across a multi-site operation. You’ll guide capital programs from concept to commissioning, define standards that endure, and mentor an automation community that thrives on collaboration with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Maintenance, IT, and trusted system integrators.

A Day in the Life

Your morning might begin with a design review for a high-speed packaging line retrofit. By midday, you’re aligning controls architectures with IT/OT security policies and preparing for an upcoming FAT. In the afternoon, you’re negotiating scope with an OEM, closing a risk register for a plant startup, and coaching an engineer through a tough controls troubleshooting exercise. You finish by scanning Industry 4.0 innovations to pilot next quarter.

What You’ll Own

• End-to-end architecture and optimization of site automation/control platforms (PLCs, HMI/SCADA, robotics, motion, advanced process control).
• A multi-year automation roadmap that accelerates operational excellence, throughput, and digital transformation.
• Integration of packaging, process, and utility systems to elevate OEE, data visibility, and production reliability.
• Industry 4.0 initiatives spanning smart sensors, analytics, connected factory capabilities, and industrial data strategies.
• Capital project leadership: scope creation, budgeting, scheduling, risk management, and execution to plan.
• Commissioning and startup excellence, including FAT/SAT, validation, and operator training.
• Codified engineering and programming standards, documentation practices, and preventive maintenance strategies that maximize uptime.
• Cross-functional alignment with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Maintenance, and IT to meet business goals and regulatory requirements.
• Vendor, OEM, and system integrator relationships, contract negotiations, and delivery oversight.
• Manufacturing cybersecurity posture, ensuring compliance with IT/OT security and data integrity requirements.
• Technology scouting and recommendations that enhance productivity, quality, sustainability, and performance.
• Technical mentorship and leadership for automation engineers across multiple facilities.

Required Background

• BS in Electrical, Controls, Automation, or related field; MS preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive automation engineering experience in manufacturing environments.
• Proven delivery of large-capex automation programs from design through integration, commissioning, and startup.
• Deep expertise in PLC programming, HMI/SCADA platforms, industrial networking, robotics, motion control, and industrial control systems.
• Experience leading cross-functional engineering teams and external partners (system integrators, OEMs, suppliers).
• Demonstrated success managing budgets, schedules, vendor relationships, and contract negotiations.
• Working knowledge of industrial cybersecurity, IT/OT convergence, and manufacturing data systems.
• History of building standards, best practices, and documentation for automation systems.
• Advanced analytical, troubleshooting, and root-cause problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and project management capabilities.

Preferred Experience

• Background in CPG, food & beverage, or FMCG manufacturing.
• Hands-on with smart manufacturing, digital transformation, and IIoT technologies.
• Familiarity with MES, historians, advanced analytics, and enterprise manufacturing systems.
• Experience supporting multi-site operations.

Core Strengths

• Visionary leadership
• Automation and controls mastery
• Capital project leadership
• Digital/Industry 4.0 advocacy
• Robotics and motion systems
• OT networking
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Supplier and integrator management
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Manufacturing operations acumen
• Operational excellence
• Analytical decision-making
• Change leadership
• Communication and team leadership