Head of Industrial Controls, Robotics & Digital Factory

Job Description

Job Description

Build a Connected, Resilient Digital Factory Network

Location: Chicago, IL (Corporate Headquarters) | Reports To: Senior Director, Process Engineering | Travel: Up to 50%

Mission

Design and deploy enterprise-grade automation that unifies packaging, process, and utility systems—elevating throughput, quality, reliability, and sustainability across multiple plants.

Scope & Impact

• Own the strategy for PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, robotics, motion control, and industrial networking across sites.
• Drive digital transformation and Industry 4.0—smart manufacturing, analytics, and connected operations.
• Lead capital programs from business case to commissioning, ensuring on-time and on-budget delivery.
• Standardize controls architectures, programming, documentation, and preventive maintenance to maximize uptime.
• Strengthen IT/OT security, data integrity, and manufacturing cybersecurity practices.

Accountabilities

• Specify, design, implement, and optimize plant-wide automation/control solutions.
• Translate strategic objectives into an actionable automation roadmap and measurable OpEx outcomes.
• Integrate systems to improve OEE, reveal actionable data, and stabilize production performance.
• Champion connected factory initiatives and industrial analytics to inform decisions in real time.
• Manage scope, budgets, schedules, risks, and deliverables for automation capex projects.
• Lead FAT/SAT, commissioning, validation, and operator training for smooth startups.
• Publish standards and best practices; instill discipline in code quality and documentation.
• Partner with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Maintenance, and IT to align solutions to business goals and compliance needs.
• Direct OEM/SI/vendor relationships and negotiate contracts that safeguard outcomes and timelines.
• Detect emerging technologies and pilot innovations that lift productivity, quality, and sustainability.
• Mentor engineers and provide technical leadership across a multi-plant footprint.

Partnerships

Collaborate closely with internal teams and external system integrators to translate complex requirements into robust, scalable, and secure automation.

Your Background

• BS in Electrical, Controls, Automation, or related; MS preferred.
• 10+ years in manufacturing automation with increasing responsibility.
• History of leading large-scale automation design, integration, commissioning, and startup.
• Expertise in PLC programming, HMI/SCADA platforms, industrial networks, robotics, motion control, and ICS.
• Proven success guiding cross-functional teams, contractors, system integrators, and equipment suppliers.
• Command of budgets, schedules, vendor relationships, and contract negotiations.
• Working knowledge of industrial cybersecurity, IT/OT convergence, and manufacturing data systems.
• Experience establishing standards, best practices, and comprehensive documentation.
• Strength in analysis, troubleshooting, and root cause investigation.
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and project management skills.

Bonus Experience

• CPG, food & beverage, or FMCG manufacturing environments.
• Smart manufacturing, digital transformation, and IIoT implementations.
• MES, historian platforms, advanced analytics, and enterprise manufacturing systems.
• Multi-site operations support.

Competencies

• Strategic leadership and change management
• Automation & controls engineering
• Capital project management
• Digital transformation and Industry 4.0
• Robotics & motion systems
• Industrial networking
• Continuous improvement
• Vendor & contractor management
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Manufacturing operations & operational excellence
• Problem solving & decision making
• Communication & team leadership