Automation Director – LATAM Region

About the role

We are embarking on a multi‑year transformation to modernise a network of 19 manufacturing sites. The Automation Director for the LATAM region will define and lead the automation strategy, driving deployment, standardisation and optimisation of controls and digital manufacturing solutions across the plant portfolio.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and execute a regional automation and controls strategy aligned with business, manufacturing and digital transformation priorities.
• Build a multi‑year automation roadmap, including legacy control system modernisation, digital integration and smart manufacturing enablement.
• Govern regional standards, architecture and best practices for SCADA, PLC, HMI, MES, historians and OT infrastructure.
• Provide technical leadership and act as the subject‑matter expert for automation and controls across plants and project teams.
• Lead automation workstreams for capital projects such as new lines, plant expansions, equipment upgrades and brownfield modernisation.
• Establish governance, escalation and support models to resolve critical automation issues affecting production, quality, reliability and safety.
• Drive standardisation of platforms, vendors and engineering approaches to reduce complexity and total cost of ownership.

Required profile

• Proven senior leadership experience in industrial automation within a manufacturing environment.
• Track record of defining and delivering automation strategies across multiple sites.
• Strong collaboration skills with engineering, operations, digital, IT/OT, quality, EHS and capital project teams.
• Ability to prioritise opportunities that improve safety, quality, productivity, energy efficiency and asset reliability.

Required skills

• SCADA systems
• Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC)
• Human‑Machine Interfaces (HMI)
• Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)
• OT infrastructure and historians
• Cybersecurity for industrial control systems
• Automation design and controls engineering
• Digital integration and smart manufacturing technologies