Sr Dir Automation Engineering & Operational Tech

Summary

The Senior Director of Automation Engineering & Operational Technology (OT) is accountable for executing and delivering automation and OT solutions that support Chobani’s manufacturing capability. This role leads centralized teams responsible for capital project automation engineering, OT software and data and OT network architecture, with a strong focus on project delivery, technical rigor, and operations
support.

This leader works closely with Engineering, Operations, and IT to ensure automation and OT systems are
designed correctly, implemented properly and performant across Chobani’s manufacturing network.

Responsibilities

Capital Projects Automation Engineering:

Own automation execution for all major manufacturing capital projects from early design through FAT, startup and commissioning. Responsibilities Include:

• Definition of automation scope, technical requirements, and deliverables for projects.
• Ensure PLC, HMI, SCADA, batch, and MES systems are implemented consistently and perform as intended.
• Actively review designs, participate in FATs/SATs and play a role in commissioning/startup readiness.
• Lead and hold system integrators and OEMs accountable for quality, schedule, and performance.
• Step in to resolve technical and execution issues that threaten project timelines or startup success

OT Software & Data:

• Deliver OT software platforms including MES, batch execution, historians, and industrial data systems
• Ensure OT applications support production execution, quality, and continuous improvement
• Partner with Enterprise Digital teams to structure and integrate OT data into enterprise platforms and analytics tools
• Build and execute a manufacturing systems and technology road map that delivers practical, usable solutions that measure success on both value creation and plant adoption.
• Ensure systems are documented, supportable, and ready for operational ownership at handoff

OT Network Architecture (Partnership with IT)

• Define OT network architecture, hardware standards and design requirements for manufacturing facilities.
• Ensure automation and OT systems are designed to align with Chobani’s IT network and security models.
• Partner with IT Network and Cybersecurity teams during project design and execution
• Review and approve OT network designs as part of project governance
• Define KPIs and ensure network performance, reliability requirements and asset maintenance standards are met for manufacturing operations

Standards, Governance & Consistency

• Make pragmatic decisions when standards must flex to meet business needs or timelines
• Own technology selection and lifecycle planning for automation and OT platforms
• Partner with plant automation teams to develop and maintain usable automation and OT standard including tooling, code standards and technical review.
• Work with plant automation leaders to evaluate, train and develop automation talent across plants.

Operational Readiness & Reliability

• Ensure automation and OT systems are delivered and supported in a manner that optimizes for safety, quality and uptime.
• Partner with Operations to address systemic automation issues affecting safety, quality, or uptime
• Provide enterprise-level support for complex or chronic automation problems
• Drive improvements that reduce variability, downtime, and manual intervention

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electrical, Controls, Automation, Computer, or related) or equivalent practical experience.
• 15+ years of experience delivering industrial automation and OT solutions in manufacturing
• Proven experience executing large, complex capital projects
• Deep practical knowledge of PLC, SCADA, batch, MES, and industrial networks
• Strong experience working directly with system integrators and OEMs
• Ability to partner effectively with IT on network and cybersecurity requirements
• Comfortable operating in fast-paced, execution-driven manufacturing environments

Preferred

• Food & Beverage or CPG manufacturing experience
• Greenfield plant startup experience
• Hands-on application of ISA-88 / ISA-95 in production environments

What Success Looks Like

• Capital projects have strong FAT/SAT processes and start up on time with stable, repeatable automation
• OT software and data platforms are used daily by operations and add measurable value to operations teams and business.
• Automation designs are consistent, supportable, and scalable
• Clear ownership, collaboration and standards adherence between Engineering, IT, and Operations