Controls and Automation and Digital Lead

Job Title: Controls, Automation & Digital Specialist

Location: Headquarters (with travel to network sites as required, estimated (15–25%)

Reports To: Director of Processing Engineering and Automation

Department: Engineering & Digital Transformation

Scope: Enterprise-wide, overseeing controls, automation, and digital systems across the company's network of manufacturing sites.

The pay range for the role is $95,300 to $145,300 plus bonus, comprehensive benefits, retirement savings plan, paid vacation, and other perks and opportunities.

The Controls, Automation & Digital Specialist is a strategic technical leader responsible for driving the design, deployment, and continuous improvement of control systems and digital technologies across the company's manufacturing network. This role provides centralized governance, standards, and technical leadership while partnering with site-based teams to execute large-scale automation and digital transformation projects. The incumbent will play a pivotal role in advancing the company's Industry 4.0 roadmap, ensuring scalable, secure, and future-ready platforms that support operational excellence, product quality, and business growth.

Key Responsibilities

Controls & Automation Engineering

• Design and configure control systems, including Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs), and Distributed Control Systems (DCS), to optimize manufacturing processes across the network.
• Develop control strategies and algorithms to ensure efficient, reliable, and repeatable operation of equipment and systems.
• Establish and maintain corporate automation standards, libraries, and architectures to drive consistency across sites.
• Participate in code reviews and design discussions to ensure that solutions meet quality standards, cybersecurity requirements, and industry best practices.

Project Execution & Large Capital Projects

• Lead the controls and automation workstreams for large capital projects (>$1M and >$500K thresholds), from concept and FEL through commissioning and handover.
• Conduct system testing and validation (FAT/SAT) to ensure adherence to design specifications and performance requirements.
• Participate in commissioning and start-up activities, including troubleshooting, calibration, and optimization of control systems on-site.
• Collaborate with equipment vendors, integrators, and suppliers to integrate their systems into the overall control architecture and enforce compliance with company standards.

Digital Transformation & Advanced Analytics

• Design, develop, and implement AI, IIoT, Big Data analytics, and predictive models to support smart manufacturing initiatives.
• Lead the deployment and integration of MES/MOM, historians, analytics platforms, connected worker tools, and edge computing solutions across the sites.
• Manage and maintain digital systems and OT infrastructure, ensuring high levels of availability, cybersecurity, and compliance with corporate IT/OT governance.
• Perform data analysis to support decision-making and identify trends, patterns, and improvement opportunities across the network.
• Partner with IT/OT teams to ensure secure, scalable integration between shop-floor systems and enterprise platforms.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Production, IT, R&D) to understand business requirements and develop innovative solutions to meet those needs.
• Act as the subject matter expert (SME) and central point of contact for controls, automation, and digital initiatives across the site network.
• Support site engineering teams with prioritization, technical guidance, and escalations.

Documentation, Training & Support

• Prepare documentation, such as control system specifications, functional design documents, user manuals, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Provide technical support and training to operations and maintenance teams to ensure effective utilization of control and digital systems.
• Establish knowledge-sharing practices and a community of practice across the network's automation engineers.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls/Automation Engineering, Mechatronics, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline (Master's degree preferred).
• Professional Engineering (P.Eng.) designation is an asset.

Experience

• 7+ years of progressive experience in controls, automation, and/or digital manufacturing roles, with 3+ years in a leadership or managerial capacity.
• Proven experience in FMCG, food & beverage, or process manufacturing environments preferred.
• Demonstrated track record delivering Capex automation projects from concept through commissioning.
• Hands-on experience implementing digital transformation initiatives (MES, IIoT, analytics, AI/ML).

Technical Skills

• Deep expertise in PLC platforms (Allen-Bradley/Rockwell, Siemens), HMI/SCADA (FactoryTalk, WinCC, Ignition), and DCS environments.
• Strong knowledge of industrial networks (Ethernet/IP, PROFINET, OPC UA) and OT cybersecurity frameworks (ISA/IEC 62443).
• Hands-on experience with MES/MOM, IIoT platforms, historians (PI, Aveva), cloud analytics, and AI/ML model deployment in manufacturing contexts.
• Proficiency in data analytics tools (Power BI, Python, SQL) and predictive modeling techniques.
• Familiarity with ISA-95, ISA-88, and Industry 4.0 reference architectures.

Leadership & Soft Skills

• Strong project management skills; PMP certification is an asset.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and cross-functional collaboration abilities.
• Results-oriented mindset with a focus on business alignment and measurable outcomes (KPIs/KAIs).
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on technical problem-solving.

Gay Lea Foods is a Canadian, dairy farmer‑owned co‑operative with a clear purpose: to enrich life with dairy. Founded in 1958, the co‑operative produces high‑quality dairy products while creating lasting value for farming families, meaningful opportunities for employees, and positive impact in communities across Canada. As a co‑operative, Gay Lea Foods believes that when the business succeeds, its members, people, and communities should succeed along with it. To learn more, visit gaylea.com.

Gay Lea Foods is an equal-opportunity employer and values diversity in our workplace.

Reasonable accommodation is available upon request throughout our recruitment and selection process.

Gay Lea Foods may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support aspects of the recruitment process, including screening and assessment.

We are currently accepting applications for this open position.

Thank you for your interest in Gay Lea Foods.

Wishing you all the best with your career search!