Yokogawa Automation Manager (M/F/D)

Our client is a globally active manufacturer of specialty ingredients serving industries including food, fermentation, nutrition and life sciences. Operating as part of a large international group whilst maintaining significant local autonomy, the business offers the agility and influence of a standalone site alongside the stability and investment capability of a global organisation.

As DCS & OT Team Lead, you will take ownership of the site's process control and operational technology environment, leading a team of DCS specialists whilst acting as the key interface between Automation, Production, Engineering, OT, IT and Cybersecurity. This is a highly visible leadership position where you will drive technical standards, support investment projects and help shape the future automation and OT strategy of the site.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and coordinate a team of DCS engineers and automation specialists
• Manage and oversee external contractors, vendors and service partners
• Act as the primary escalation point for DCS and OT-related activities
• Support the development of technical capabilities, standards and best practices across the team
• Foster collaboration between Automation, Operations, Engineering, HSE and IT functions

Process Control & Automation

• Own the operation, maintenance and continuous improvement of the Yokogawa CENTUM VP DCS platform
• Provide strategic direction for plant-wide process control systems
• Ensure high system availability, reliability and performance across production operations
• Drive standardisation and optimisation of automation systems and architectures
• Support the integration of production data and remote I/O systems

OT Infrastructure & Cybersecurity

• Oversee OT infrastructure including Windows Server environments, Active Directory and virtualised platforms
• Lead initiatives to strengthen OT cybersecurity and ensure compliance with site standards
• Support the implementation of Industry 4.0, IIoT and digitalisation projects
• Coordinate OT-related support activities and system upgrades

Projects & Continuous Improvement

• Serve as the DCS and OT lead for automation, expansion and capital investment projects
• Develop long-term roadmaps for process control and OT infrastructure
• Work closely with senior stakeholders to identify opportunities for operational improvement
• Contribute to site automation, digitalisation and cybersecurity strategies

Your Profile

Leadership & Experience

• Several years of experience within process automation, process control or industrial OT environments
• Previous experience leading teams, coordinating specialists or managing technical projects
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
• Experience working within manufacturing, process industries, chemicals, food, pharmaceutical, biotechnology or related sectors

Technical Background

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Computer Science, IT or a related discipline
• Strong understanding of DCS platforms, ideally Yokogawa CENTUM VP
• Knowledge of industrial communication protocols, process control architectures and production systems
• Experience with Windows Server environments, virtualisation technologies and OT infrastructure
• Understanding of OT cybersecurity principles and modern industrial networking

Personal Qualities

• Natural leader with a collaborative and coaching mindset
• Structured, pragmatic and solution-oriented approach
• Comfortable balancing strategic initiatives with operational priorities
• High level of ownership, accountability and continuous improvement focus

What Our Client Offers

• Leadership role with significant influence over automation and OT strategy
• Opportunity to manage and develop a specialist technical team
• Long-term career prospects within a financially strong international organisation
• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Flexible working arrangements and partial remote working options
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Modern manufacturing site with strong investment plans and cutting-edge technology