Head of Control Systems & Automation

Alexander Steele has partnered with a leading global food manufacturer that has an exciting new opportunity for a Head of Operational Technology to oversee and lead their automation and control systems infrastructure strategy across six of their sites nationwide.

Key responsibilities

• Lead a team of Operational Technology Consultants and work together with maintenance technicians on sites to assist, coach and train as appropriate, skills needed to support the sites automation infrastructure.


• Support and develop a diverse architecture from leading edge Operational Technology Information systems to obsolete control devices, whilst strategically driving towards improved standardisation, thus minimising downtime due to control and data systems infrastructure improvements.


• Liaise with the global IT teams, external delivery partners and the global supply chain teams, to proactively manage the control systems arena, with particular focus on strategy and planning.


• Creating and maintaining roadmaps for rolling 5 years of systems development and obsolescence planning, using this information to plan and prioritise for capital funding applications.

Candidate Requirements:

• Engineering qualification in relevant discipline such as Control & Automation, Mechatronics, Electronics, Electrical, Mechanical, Computer Science, Information Technology or equivalent.


• 18th Edition and other relevant Operational Technology certifications will be advantageous.


• Good technical knowledge and experience of controls and automation systems, primarily Siemens PLCs, WinCC SCADA, Iconics Genesis SCADA, Rockwell Logix platform, systems integration, IT hardware and software.


• Control & Automation Management experience in a FMCG, Pharmaceutical, Chemicals or similar manufacturing environment.


• Strong people leadership and the ability to mentor a diverse team.

On Offer:

• �75K to �85K + Car Allowance + 15% Bonus


• Pension + Private Healthcare


• 25 leave days + 8 bank holidays


• The role can be fully remote, with frequent travel to UK manufacturing sites.