ABOUT THE ROLE
The Automation Engineer plays a critical role in managing and optimizing advanced automation and digital manufacturing systems within the plant, ensuring that all equipment and digital manufacturing systems operate reliably, efficiently, and in compliance with industry and Barry Callebaut technical standards. As technology evolves, the complexity of automation systems grows, and the Automation Engineer must address these challenges by developing the skills of the maintenance team in both automation and calibration, empowering technicians to maintain automation systems independently. This role also involves aligning with global asset management and global digital manufacturing teams to ensure consistency in best practices and integration of cutting-edge technologies across the organization.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE
- Manage and optimize automation and digital manufacturing systems, ensuring seamless production operations with minimal downtime.
- Develop and upskill the maintenance team in automation and calibration, enabling technicians to take ownership of automation aspects of equipment maintenance.
- Design and implement a calibration plan for automation systems in compliance with global policies, ensuring accuracy, reliability, and compliance across the plant.
- Troubleshoot and resolve complex automation and industrial network and infrastructure issues, reducing downtime and addressing the technical challenges posed by sophisticated automation and digital manufacturing systems.
- Collaborate and align with external suppliers of automation systems and services, to ensure compliance to Barry Callebaut standards for robust and reliable automation and digital manufacturing systems.
- Lead initiatives to upgrade and improve automation systems, incorporating new technologies to enhance performance, drive continuous improvement, increase uptime, optimize processes, and reduce equipment failure rates through proactive automation strategies.
- Implement asset health monitoring and predictive maintenance techniques (e.g., vibration monitoring) to detect potential failures and address issues before they impact production.
- Align with global teams for asset management and digital manufacturing to ensure consistency in automation strategies, global standards, and the sharing of best practices across all plants, ensuring the plant adopts and integrates new technologies effectively.
- Ensure compliance with regulatory standards and global automation policies, particularly regarding system calibration and validation.
ABOUT YOU
- Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Automation, or a related field.
- 5+ years of experience in managing automation systems in a manufacturing environment.
- Strong knowledge of PLC programming, control systems, industrial networks and automation hardware/software.
- Experience with troubleshooting and improving automated and digital manufacturing systems.
- Familiar with industry standards and regulatory requirements for automation in manufacturing.
- Proficient in relevant software and tools (e.g., SCADA, HMI, MES systems).
- Fluent in local language and English; additional languages are a plus.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, technologically complex production environment, resolving automation issues quickly.
- Strong leadership in mentoring and developing technicians to handle automation and calibration tasks independently.
- Focus on continuous improvement and staying current with global automation trends and technological advancements.
- 5+ years experience leading and managing large teams
- Has lead maintenance and engineering departments
- Technically astute and understands various types of equipment, systems, and facilities.
- Understands all aspects of product manufacturing and operational protocols (e.g. GMP, HACCP, etc.)
- Excellent communication (written and verbal) skills both upward and downward
- Works well under pressure, enabling his/her team to thrive under all circumstances
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
- Comfortable with managing positive change
- Self-starter and results-driven mindset
