Head of Operational Technology

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.