BUSINESS ADVISOR, OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY - Calgary

Business Development Bank of Canada; Calgary; Hybrid; CAD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Savings & Investment Plan

Defined Benefit Pension Plan

Wellness and health care spending

Paid vacation + personal/sick days

Hybrid work model

Learning and development opportunities

Job summary

Business Development Bank of Canada is seeking a Business Advisor, Operations Automation in Calgary, Alberta. The role focuses on advisory engagements delivering automation assessments, investment planning, and productivity initiatives for Canadian entrepreneurs.

You will translate business objectives into measurable automation outcomes, lead projects end-to-end, and collaborate with partners to evolve advisory offerings while maintaining strong client relationships. Hybrid work is offered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial, Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, or Automation Engineering.
• Minimum 10 years of consulting experience with 6+ years in automation/robotics.
• Ability to translate business needs into AI-enabled automation solutions.
• Experience with production, manufacturing, logistics or industrial operations is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead advisory engagements on automation assessments and roadmaps.
• Develop investment business cases and ROI analyses for automation projects.
• Support business development and proposals with SME leadership.
• Deliver practical, results-oriented automation and AI solutions.

Skills

Industrial automation

Robotics

PLC / HMI / SCADA

AI-enabled solutions

Lean / Six Sigma

Project leadership

Client relationship

Education

Bachelor's in Engineering (Industrial/Mech/Electrical/Mechatronics)

MBA or P.Eng. asset

Tools

Automation hardware

Industrial IoT / MES/OT-IT

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.