BUSINESS ADVISOR, OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY (Automation) - Calgary

Business Devel. Bank of Canada; Calgary; Hybrid; CAD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

BDC Capital seeks a Business Advisor, Operations Automation to help Canadian entrepreneurs improve productivity and operational performance through industrial automation and robotics. You will lead advisory engagements, including assessments, investment planning, and ROI analyses, translating business goals into practical outcomes.

The role requires deep technical expertise, consulting experience, and strong client relationships to deliver measurable improvements in productivity, quality, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial, Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, or Automation Engineering.
• MBA, P.Eng., or other relevant professional designation is considered an asset.
• Minimum 10 years of consulting experience, including at least 6 years in automation, robotics, and digitally enabled equipment.
• Ability to translate business and operational requirements into AI-enabled solutions delivering measurable improvements.
• Experience with robotics, PLC, HMI, SCADA, and industrial control systems; Lean/Six Sigma preferred.

Responsibilities

• Deliver automation assessments, roadmaps, ROI analyses, and productivity improvement plans.
• Lead projects from initiation to completion within scope, budget, and timelines.
• Provide technical leadership, contribute to advisory methodologies, and stay current on industry trends.
• Identify opportunities, scope engagements, and develop client proposals.
• Collaborate with clients and internal teams; travel within Western Canada as needed.

Skills

Industrial automation

Robotics

Consulting leadership

Project management

Client relationship

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial/Mechanical/Electrical/Mechatronics/Automation Engineering

MBA or P.Eng. asset

Tools

PLC

HMI

SCADA

Industrial IoT / MES/OT integration

Job description

We are banking at another level. Choosing BDC as your employer means working in a healthy, inclusive, and skilled workplace that puts forward the best conditions to bring together unique teams where employees are empowered to act. It also means being at the centre of ambitious economic and financial projects to see further and to do things differently, to fuel the success of Canadian entrepreneurs. Choosing BDC as your employer also means: Flexible and competitive benefits, including an Employee Savings and Investment Plan where BDC matches part of your voluntary contributions, a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, a $750 wellness and health care spending account, to name a few. In addition to paid vacation each year, five personal days, sick days as necessary, and our offices are closed from December 25 to January 1. A hybrid work model that truly balances work and personal life. Opportunities for learning, training and development, and much more... Explore the BDC Way in our Culture Book.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Business Advisor, Operations Automation helps Canadian entrepreneurs improve productivity and operational performance through advisory services focused on industrial automation, robotics, and operational excellence. This role leads the delivery of both standard and customized advisory engagements, including automation assessments, automation investment planning, productivity improvement initiatives, and strategic operations mandates. The Business Advisor helps clients evaluate, prioritize, and implement automation and robotics-related investments by translating business objectives into practical, measurable outcomes. The position combines deep technical expertise, consulting experience, project leadership, business acumen, and strong client relationship skills. Responsibilities include project delivery, subject matter leadership, business development support, and the continuous evolution of advisory offerings.

CHALLENGES TO BE MET

Deliver high-quality advisory engagements, including automation assessments, automation roadmaps, productivity improvement plans, equipment investment business cases, and third-party plan reviews. Lead projects from initiation to completion, ensuring scope, budget, timelines, quality standards, and client expectations are met. Provide technical expertise and thought leadership in industrial automation, robotics, autonomous systems, and emerging technologies. Support the development of advisory methodologies, tools, and solutions by staying current on industry trends and best practices. Collaborate with Client Partners and internal stakeholders to identify opportunities, scope engagements, and develop client proposals. Engage directly with clients to understand business challenges and recommend practical automation and operational improvement solutions.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Bachelor's degree in Industrial, Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, or Automation Engineering, or a related field. MBA, P.Eng., or other relevant professional designation is considered an asset. Minimum 10 years of consulting experience, including at least 6 years specializing in industrial automation, robotics, and digitally enabled equipment across multiple industries. Candidates should be able to translate business and operational requirements into practical AI-enabled solutions that deliver measurable improvements in productivity, quality, safety, or operational performance. Experience identifying, evaluating, implementing, and managing automation or AI initiatives within production, manufacturing, logistics, field service, or industrial operations is strongly preferred. Demonstrated expertise in several of the following areas: Robotics (articulated, SCARA, collaborative robots, AMRs, AGVs) PLC, HMI, SCADA, and industrial control systems Machine vision and sensor technologies Automated material handling and warehouse automation Industrial IoT and MES/OT-IT integration applying AI, automation, robotics, or advanced digital technologies in industrial or operational environments. Solid understanding of Lean, Six Sigma, process optimization, and continuous improvement methodologies. Proven experience developing automation strategies, investment business cases, cost analyses, ROI assessments, and implementation roadmaps. Strong consulting and business advisory skills, with the ability to support strategic planning, prioritization, and execution initiatives. Ability to design practical, results-oriented solutions tailored to small and medium-sized enterprises. Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, industrial technology infrastructure, integration approaches, and vendor ecosystems. Experience applying AI-driven solutions within industrial or manufacturing environments. Demonstrated project management experience delivering both standard and customized consulting engagements. Excellent client relationship, communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills. Strong collaboration and teamwork capabilities. Experience working with Canadian industrial equipment vendors, automation OEMs, or system integrators is an asset. Bilingualism is an asset. Willingness to travel within Western Canada on an occasional basis. Locations: Calgary, Alberta

Proudly one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers and one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, we are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, inclusive and accessible environment where all employees can thrive and feel empowered to bring their whole selves to work. If you require an accommodation to complete your application, please do not hesitate to contact us at [e-mail]. While we appreciate all applications, we advise that only the candidates selected to participate in the recruitment process will be contacted. BDC is a bank unlike any other. We are the only bank dedicated exclusively to the development of Canadian businesses. The only institution whose purpose is to promote the growth of the Canadian economy by focusing on the success of small and medium-sized businesses, with a human touch and a genuine presence. At BDC, we’re changing people’s and businesses’ lives for the better. That’s what makes us unique as a bank. That’s why we are banking at another level.