Control & Automation Lead

pernodricard; Dumbarton; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Pernod Ricard is seeking a Controls & Automation Lead to drive site-wide leadership for controls, automation, software systems and OT across a complex bottling operation. You will guide a technical team to ensure safe, reliable, and compliant operation of manufacturing control systems and digital manufacturing solutions.

You will lead governance, lifecycle management, vendor relations and capability development, while partnering with operations to improve performance.

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical, Electronic, Automation or equivalent technical discipline.
• Experience in manufacturing FMCG/beverage/pharma or similar complex environment.
• Proven leadership of controls, automation, software or OT teams.
• Strong experience with PLC, SCADA, HMI and industrial control systems.
• Understanding of manufacturing software platforms, databases, dashboards, servers, data communications and industrial networks.
• Experience delivering CAPEX and continuous improvement projects from concept through commissioning and handover.
• Experience managing contractors, OEMs, system integrators and software vendors.
• Strong understanding of OT cybersecurity, system lifecycle management and change control.
• Ability to prioritise technical resources across operational support and strategic projects.
• Strong stakeholder management, communication and problem-solving capability.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Controls & Automation team and drive site-wide OT governance.
• Define and enforce site control system standards, change control and lifecycle management.
• Shape the manufacturing software and systems strategy for the site.
• Oversee OT cybersecurity, resilience and data integrity.
• Provide technical guidance for local capital projects and vendor engagement.
• Support operations performance with automation and systems improvements.
• Coach and develop capability across automation, software, systems and digital manufacturing.

Skills

Leadership

OT governance

PLC

SCADA

HMI

Industrial networks

CAPEX & CI projects

Contractor/OEM mgmt

OT cybersecurity

Stakeholder mgmt

Education

Electrical/Electronic/Automation degree

Job description

Controls & Automation Lead

Your Manager: Engineering Manager

Team: Bottling Engineering

Location: Kilmalid, Dumbarton - this role will be mostly site based with some flexibility for remote working around business needs

Contract Type: Permanent

Pernod Ricard is a worldwide leader in the spirits and champagne industry, blending traditional craftsmanship, state-of-the-art brand development, and global distribution technologies. Our prestigious portfolio of premium to luxury brands includes Absolut vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine ' s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur, and Mumm and Perrier-Jou ë t champagnes. Our mission is to ensure the long‑term growth of our brands with full respect for people and the environment, while empowering our employees around the world to be ambassadors of our purposeful, inclusive, and responsible culture of authentic conviviality

Chivas Brothers is the Pernod Ricard business dedicated entirely to Scotch whisky. Our award‑winning portfolio features some of the world's most revered single malt and blended Scotch whisky brands, including Chivas, Ballantine's, Royal Salute, The Glenlivet and Aberlour, which are exported from Scotland to over 100 countries worldwide. As the world's No.2 Scotch whisky producer with a 1,600-strong team across 26 sites, we are committed to upholding the heritage and pursuing the progress of Scotch and ensuring its sustainable future, as well as opening it up to new audiences across the globe.

About the role

We are currently hiring a Controls & Automation Lead to be responsible for site-wide leadership for controls, automation, software systems and Operational Technology (OT) across a complex multi-factory bottling operation.

The role is responsible for the support and development of a technical team, ensuring the safe, reliable and compliant operation of manufacturing control systems, OT infrastructure, software platforms and digital manufacturing solutions and play a key role in technical governance, resource planning, execution of automation standards, system lifecycle management and capability development, the role acts as the technical lead for controls and automation.

What you will do

• Leadership of the Controls & Automation team.
• Site-wide automation and OT technical governance.
• Site control system standards, compliance, change control and lifecycle management.
• Manufacturing software and systems strategy.
• OT cybersecurity and resilience.
• Local capital project technical support and guidance.
• Automation and systems support to operational performance.
• Building effective partnerships with vendors, contractors and system integrators.
• Supporting capability development across automation, software, systems and digital manufacturing.

Your skills and background

Degree in Electrical, Electronic, Automation, Control Systems, Software Engineering, Computer Science or equivalent technical discipline.

Relevant experience in a manufacturing, FMCG, beverage, food, pharmaceutical or similarly complex operational environment.

Proven experience leading controls, automation, software or OT technical teams.

Strong experience with PLC, SCADA, HMI and industrial control systems.

Understanding of manufacturing software platforms, databases, dashboards, servers, data communications and industrial networks.

Experience delivering CAPEX and continuous improvement projects from concept through commissioning and handover.

Experience managing contractors, OEMs, system integrators and software vendors.

Strong understanding of OT cybersecurity, system lifecycle management and change control.

Ability to prioritise technical resources across operational support and strategic projects.

Strong stakeholder management, communication and problem-solving capability.

Why join us?

Collective Spirit

You will be part of a connected, international community shaped by iconic brands, a performance mindset, and a proud legacy, where collaboration, fun and ambition coexist.

Craft your path

We empower you to own your career, innovate boldly and grow alongside our business, surrounded by leaders who value curiosity, energy, and impact.

Cultivate the future

You'll help shape a business with a soul - one that cherishes the land, respects communities, and brings good times from a good place, responsibly and sustainably.

People are at the heart of everything we do at Pernod Ricard and are the foundation of our collective spirit as 'Créateurs de Convivialité'. We promote inclusion throughout our business and supply chain. In our teams, we proactively foster a diverse work force and an inclusive culture, an environment where we can truly be ourselves.

We will assess your application for this role based on your skills, experiences, and achievements, not your gender, age, ethnic or educational background or any other such factors. Our recruiting team are more than happy to provide reaso