Senior Automation Engineer

About Us

As a leading provider of high-quality food and beverage ingredients, we work with farming communities across the globe to grow, source and produce ingredients that are good for consumers, farmers, and the world around us.  We supply household food brands and manufacturers worldwide with cocoa, coffee, dairy, nuts and spices ingredients which are often grown on our own farms and estates and sourced from hundreds of thousands of farmers across ~50 countries. Along with our diverse manufacturing and innovation capabilities, this means we can provide ingredients for a range of products, from a plant-based latte mix to an almond based snack bar or a dairy-free ice cream.  Making a positive impact on people and planet is a core component of our Purpose, to be the change for good food and a healthy future. With a deep-rooted presence in the countries where our ingredients are grown, we are closer to farmers, enabling better quality, and more reliable, traceable, and transparent supply. And whoever we’re with, whatever we’re doing, we always make it real.

Product Information

Cocoa

We are a leading supplier of cocoa beans and cocoa ingredients, including cocoa powder, cocoa butter, and cocoa liquor, ranking among the top three processors worldwide. We are a cocoa supplier that provides great natural cocoa ingredients to customers all over the world, working with partners across the supply chain to create indulgent treats for consumers while helping to provide a positive future for cocoa. We work closely with our customers to inspire new concepts and solve for challenges they face in developing new cocoa products for their consumers, while delivering value to their business. Building on two decades of supporting farmers and cocoa-growing communities, around the world, we launched Cocoa Compass in October 2019, with the report published in 2024 winning Sustainability Report of the Year at the UK Green Business Awards! It sets challenging goals to tackle the key issues facing the cocoa supply chain by 2030, with interim milestones for action. We are proud to have already achieved, in 2020, 100% traceability and deforestation monitoring in our direct cocoa supply chain. We source from nine regions across Africa, South America and Asia and operate processing, milling, and refining facilities close to major consumption markets in Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Our cocoa brand portfolio includes deZaan, with over 100 years of excellence, Unicao, Joanes, Macao, Husyman, as well as Britannia specialty fats

Role Overview

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Automation Engineer to lead the design, maintenance, and optimization of industrial automation systems. This role will play a critical part in ensuring operational reliability, driving continuous improvement, and implementing advanced automation solutions across the plant.

Key Responsibilities

1. System Maintenance & Reliability

• Lead preventive and corrective maintenance of automation systems, including ABB 800xA DCS, Schneider and Siemens PLCs, and Fix32 SCADA platforms.
• Ensure high system availability and reliability with minimal downtime.
• Develop and implement maintenance strategies to enhance long-term system performance.

2. System Design & Integration

• Drive the design, development, and implementation of new automation systems and process improvements.
• Design and program control logic, develop HMI interfaces, and integrate SCADA and DCS systems.
• Architect and implement interfaces for smart devices such as robots, label applicators, and other automated equipment.
• Provide technical leadership in system architecture decisions and project execution.

3. Troubleshooting & Technical Expertise

• Lead root cause analysis and resolve complex automation issues with a focus on minimizing production impact.
• Serve as the escalation point for critical system failures.
• Provide advanced technical support for automation equipment including robots and applicators.

4. Continuous Improvement & Optimization

• Identify opportunities to enhance system efficiency, reliability, and performance.
• Drive optimization initiatives leveraging data, analytics, and best practices in automation.
• Champion innovation and implementation of new technologies to improve productivity and reduce costs.

5. Documentation & Standards

• Establish and maintain comprehensive technical documentation, standards, and procedures.
• Ensure all system changes and upgrades are properly documented and compliant with internal and regulatory requirements.

6. Technology Leadership

• Stay current with emerging automation technologies, industry trends, and best practices.
• Evaluate, recommend, and lead implementation of system upgrades and modernization initiatives.

7. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with production, engineering, and maintenance teams to ensure seamless operations.
• Mentor junior engineers and technicians, fostering technical capability within the team.
• Support project teams in automation-related initiatives and capital projects.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, or a related discipline.

Experience

• Minimum 5–8 years of experience in industrial automation, preferably within the food & beverage or FMCG sector.
• Demonstrated experience in leading automation projects and troubleshooting complex systems.

Technical Expertise

• Strong proficiency in:
  - ABB 800xA DCS
  - Schneider and Siemens PLC programming
  - SCADA systems (Fix32 or equivalent)
  - Client-server architectures and industrial control systems
  Solid understanding of control systems, industrial networking, and automation principles.

Core Competencies

• Advanced problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Ability to work independently while driving initiatives and influencing cross-functional teams.

Preferred / Added Advantage

• Experience in food manufacturing environments, with knowledge of HACCP, GMP, and sanitation standards.
• Exposure to robotics, vision systems, and Industry 4.0 technologies.

What Sets This Role Apart

• Opportunity to lead automation strategy and modernization efforts
• High visibility role with direct impact on production efficiency and plant performance
• Platform to drive innovation and digital transformation initiatives

ofi is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to racial or ethnic origin, color, age, religion or belief, sex, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. 

Applicants are requested to complete all required steps in the application process including providing a resume/CV in order to be considered for open roles.