Automation Team Lead

riversidenaturalfoodsltd; Toronto; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Riverside Natural Foods Ltd. is seeking an Automation Team Lead to oversee the maintenance and optimization of our automated systems. You will guide a team of technicians and contractors, drive CI initiatives, and align projects with safety and quality standards across our Ontario facilities.

The role requires deep expertise with PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, and Ignition SCADA, plus strong leadership and communication skills to manage cross-functional teams and ensure projects finish on time and budget.

Qualifications

• Completion of Control/Automation Engineering Technician program and certification or equivalent qualification.
• Certified Provincial Electricians Ticket (442A or 309D) preferred or working toward one.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in automation systems, with at least 1 year in supervisory or leadership role.
• Knowledge and experience with PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, Motion Control Systems.
• Reading, analyzing, and interpreting electrical drawings, P&ID drawings, and control network drawings.
• Strong problem solving and leadership skills.
• Experience with change management processes and methodologies, with a proven track record of successfully managing projects.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate and uphold company core values.
• Lead and supervise maintenance and troubleshooting of automation systems.
• Oversee unplanned and planned maintenance and breakdown responses.
• Manage instrumentation calibration and electrical panel preventive maintenance programs.
• Negotiate service contracts and manage external resources.
• Lead automation projects and ensure documentation and budgets are met.
• Possess and develop talent through mentorship and training of technicians.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI/SCADA

VFDs

Motion control

Leadership

Team supervision

Education

Control/Automation Engineering Technician program and certification

Certified Provincial Electricians Ticket (442A or 309D) preferred

Tools

Ignition SCADA

Electrical drawings

Job description

Join Riverside Natural Foods Ltd., a Canadian-based, family-owned, and globally operating business, committed to leaving the world better than we found it. As a B-Corp certified, Triple-Bottom Line company, we proudly manufacture nutritious, 'better-for-you' snacks such as MadeGood and GOOD TO GO. We value teamwork, humility, respect, ownership, adaptability, grit, and fun.

We're on an ambitious mission to double our business by 2030, and we need talented individuals like you to help us reach new heights. At Riverside, you'll have the opportunity to chart your own path to success while contributing to ours. We believe anything worth doing is worth doing right, and our values will guide us through the rugged terrain - and yes, it will get rough. But that's what makes the journey worthwhile.

So, lace up your boots and let's tackle the climb together.

You can learn more about us at www.riversidenaturalfoods.com .

Position Summary/Objective:

The automation team lead will be responsible for strategic planning, decision-making, and supervising the maintenance and troubleshooting of automated systems to ensure their proper operation and availability. This role involves leading and supervising a team of automation technicians and contractors, assigning tasks, overseeing their work, and providing guidance. The Automation Team Lead will participate in process improvements, support the integration of new machines with existing systems, and lead the automation aspects of CI projects.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate and uphold Riverside Natural Food's Core Values.
• Understand and lead compliance with both Health and Safety and Food Safety practices.
• Unplanned Maintenance
• Supervise and manage breakdown call for all Riverside Natural Foods facilities, elevate to outside resources if necessary.
• Ensure team members or contractors work in accordance with established maintenance processes and practices including but not limited to recording work done, recording data for analysis, logging spare parts consumed, cleaning up work area, etc.
• Planned Maintenance
• Develop and manage instrumentation calibration program including scale, temperature probe, flow meter calibration, etc. Maintain documentation as per BRC standard
• Develop and manage preventive maintenance program for all electrical panels including thermal scanning, program back up, inspection, etc.
• Negotiate and update contracts with different service providers ensuring high standard of service at optimum cost.
• Conduct meeting with site leader to discuss open issues, progress and align on priority and timeline for planned work.
• Project Management
• Lead and manage automation related projects, ensuring all modifications and updates on all automation-related programs, parameters, drawing and devices are documented properly and that projects are completed on time and within budget.
• Participate in Root Cause Analysis (RCA) on complicated and/or recurring automation failure modes. This will include reaching out to a 3rd party, performing risk analysis, evaluating potential causes, and assessing data.
• Assign resources to support CAPEX or CI project as needed including the implementation of the different SCADA initiatives, integration of the new machines to existing control networks and integration with upstream/downstream equipment, support IO testing and commissioning of new machines with focus on the Automation components.
• Leadership
• Conduct performance review, set team goals and ensure compliance with company policies and procedures.
• Develop skill matrix and training plan for automation technicians.
• Provide regular feedback, coaching and mentorship.
• Lead and manage change initiatives, ensuring buy in from team members and motivation.
• Foster a positive and collaborative work environment.
• Other duties as assigned.

Reporting Relationships

Reports to Maintenance Director

Key Qualifications/Requirements

• Completion of Control/Automation Engineering Technician program and certification or equivalent qualification.
• Certified Provincial Electricians Ticket (442A or 309D) preferred or working toward one.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in automation system, with at least 1 year in supervisory or leadership role.
• Possess in-depth knowledge and experience with PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, Motion Control Systems. Knowledge and experience working with Ignition SCADA is preferred.
• Proficiency in reading, analyzing, and interpreting electrical drawings, P&ID drawings, and control network drawings.
• Strong problem solving and critical thinking skills.
• Strong leadership skills in a technical environment, such as leading cross functional team to deliver automation project on time and within budget.
• Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to interact with plant floor employees and collaborate with cross functional stakeholders.
• Experience with change management processes and methodologies, with a proven track record of successfully managing