Global Automation Manager

Who are we looking for?

The primary purpose of the Global Automation Manager position is to lead and manage the design, developing and implementing of all process control systems, automation and data acquisition systems for new processes, factories and machines. This position will manage the entire controls stack, from sensor selection and safety-instrumented functions to PLC/DCS programming, and data, while partnering closely with chemical-process engineers, production, EHS, and R&D teams to deliver repeatable, world-class manufacturing performance. 
This role is part of the Global Process Engineering Group (GPEG) and is responsible for overseeing all process control systems, automation and data acquisition systems for new processes and existing processes. The position provides technical leadership and strategic direction to ensure operational excellence and innovation in process control developments.
The position requires strong expertise in PLC/DCS systems, SCADA, HMI development, instrumentation, batch control, process data systems, industrial networking, safety interlocks, alarm management, control philosophy development, and manufacturing digitalization. The role should also bring familiarity with modern digital manufacturing tools, advanced process control, model-based control, soft sensors, process data models, and appropriate AI/ML applications that improve process robustness, operator decision-making, anomaly detection, and batch-to-batch consistency.  
The ideal candidate will combine deep automation and controls expertise with practical chemical/process engineering judgment, including the ability to understand reaction chemistry, process hazards, heat and mass transfer, fluid handling, equipment selection, and manufacturing scale-up constraints.

What will you be doing?

•    Lead and manage the design and implementation of process control, automation and data acquisition systems for (new) processes and machines. 
•    Define automation standards for PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, DCS, instrumentation, control panels, data historians, alarms, interlocks, and batch systems
•    Collaborate cross-functionally with other departments to ensure seamless technology transfer and process integration.
•    Partner with R&D, process engineering, and operations to translate chemistry and process knowledge into practical automation strategies for safe, repeatable scale-up.
•    Provide process engineering input for equipment and utility design, including selection and sizing of automated valves, control valves, pumps, flowmeters, piping, instrumentation, reactors, mixers, and safety devices.
•    Develop control philosophies that reflect process chemistry, operating windows, reaction risks, cleaning requirements, batch sequencing, and abnormal-condition response.
•    Lead automation concepts for novel or first-of-kind processes where the process is still evolving and the automation strategy must support experimentation, learning, and eventual manufacturing standardization.

Automation & Control Systems

•    Lead design and implementation of process control, automation, and data acquisition systems (PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, DCS, instrumentation, control panels, historians, alarms, interlocks, batch systems)
•    Specify and configure control platforms (Rockwell, Siemens, DeltaV) and industrial networks (EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, Modbus)
•    Translate PFDs/P&IDs into I/O lists, control narratives, and cause-and-effect matrices
•    Apply ISA-88 principles for batch recipes, phases, and equipment/control modules

Process Engineering & Cross-Functional Collaboration

•    Partner with R&D, process engineering, and operations to translate chemistry into safe, repeatable automation strategies for scale-up
•    Provide input on equipment/utility design (valves, pumps, flowmeters, reactors, mixers, safety devices)
•    Support scale-up from lab recipes through pilot to full production automation

Programming, Commissioning & Troubleshooting

•    Develop compliant code, batch logic, alarm strategies, and historian interfaces
•    Lead FAT/SAT, start-up, and on-site commissioning
•    Drive root cause analysis and continuous improvement using process data and first-principles troubleshooting

Process & Functional Safety

•    Perform LOPA/SIL verifications and design safety-instrumented functions
•    Ensure compliance with NFPA 70/79, UL 508A, and IEC 61511
•    Integrate hazard, flammability, and cleanability requirements into interlock design

Data & Analytics

•    Deploy data tools (OSI PI, SQL, Python) to monitor KPIs and improve OEE
•    Support integration with MES, LIMS, ERP, and reporting systems
•    Apply AI/ML and advanced process cont