Our client is a leading provider of sustainable biorefining solutions, specializing in soil nutrition, animal nutrition, human nutrition, ethanol, and biogas. They are looking to recruit a Head of Process Control and Automation, who will be responsible for defining and implementing the industrial Operational Technology (OT) strategy across company sites. The successful candidate must be fluent in English.
As the ideal candidate, you are a visionary leader in process automation who can define global standards, drive innovation, and enhance operational efficiency through cutting-edge automation solutions. You enjoy working cross-functionally to optimize industrial processes, enhance cybersecurity, and implement best-in-class control systems.
Key Responsibilities :
Industrial OT Strategy & Roadmap Development :
- Define and implement global OT roadmap, ensuring alignment with business needs, digital transformation initiatives, and emerging automation technologies.
- Research, develop, and implement best practices in process control, automation, and industrial cybersecurity.
- Collaborate with the Head of IT and Digitalisation to ensure secure and efficient OT-IT integration while maintaining compliance with data security standards.
Process Control & Automation Standards :
Develop and maintain global OT standards for automation, process controls, and cybersecurity.Define and maintain hardware and instrumentation standards, ensuring consistency across all sites.Establish and enforce software development and HMI design standards for high-efficiency operator interfaces.Ensure regulatory compliance for process control and automation systems, following industry best practices.Control Loop Optimization & Alarm Management
Work closely with site operations teams to optimize control loops, reduce process variability, and improve automation efficiency.Lead alarm rationalization programs to minimize unnecessary alarms, improve operator efficiency, and enhance process safety.Advanced Process Controls :
Implement advanced process control (APC) strategies to improve operational performance and efficiency : MPC, ANFIS, ML, and AI initiatives.Project Delivery & Automation Implementation
Partner with engineering, project management, and project delivery teams to ensure seamless implementation of automation projects in new and existing facilities.Oversee the design, commissioning, and validation of process control systems, ensuring projects meet operational and business objectives.Manage and oversee all OT and automation suppliers, system integrators, and contractors, ensuring high-quality execution of automation projects.Technology Development & Process Control Towers
Lead the development and deployment of advanced automation technologiesEnsure scalability, reliability, and performance of control and automation systems across multiple sites.Evaluate and implement emerging industrial automation technologies, including AI-driven process control, predictive maintenance, and digital twins.Cybersecurity & Data Integration
Ensure OT cybersecurity compliance, working with IT teams to safeguard industrial networks and prevent cyber threats.Define standards for secure remote access, data integrity, and system redundancy.Oversee historian systems, data lakes, and process analytics integration, supporting advanced data-driven decision-making.Stakeholder Engagement & Communication
Act as a key liaison between engineering, finance, operations, and senior leadership to ensure project alignment.Provide regular reports and presentations on project status, risks, and opportunities.Simplify complex project challenges and effectively communicate solutions to senior management.Foster a culture of collaboration, ensuring cross-functional teams are aligned on project goals and deliverables.Qualifications :
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Automation Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Control Systems, or a related field.10+ years of experience in process automation, industrial OT, or control systems management in manufacturing, energy, or biorefinery environments.Experience with large-scale automation projects, from design to commissioning.Relevant certifications in industrial automation, cybersecurity, or process control (e.g., ISA, TÜV, CISSP, etc.) are preferred.