Plant Automation & Reliability Manager

Ambition Recruitment; Johor Bahru; On-site; MYR 240,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

Ambition Recruitment seeks a Senior Engineering Manager to lead electrical, automation, and overall plant engineering health for a manufacturing facility in Malaysia. You will drive reliability, safety, and continuous improvement across production lines.

Responsibilities include leading automation upgrades, managing budgets and vendor relationships, and coaching engineering/maintenance teams to deliver safe, compliant, and efficient operations.

Qualifications

• 8-10+ years in plant/manufacturing engineering with strong hands-on electrical and automation (PLC/SCADA) expertise.
• Experience in food manufacturing or validated hygienic environments preferred.
• Track record of leading and developing engineering/maintenance teams, including shift-based operations.
• Experience leading capital projects - automation upgrades, line installations, commissioning.
• Solid understanding of food safety/hygienic design standards related to equipment and electrical systems.

Responsibilities

• Own the plant's electrical systems, PLC/SCADA and automation infrastructure - uptime, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement.
• Lead automation upgrades and capital improvement projects from scope through commissioning.
• Ensure electrical systems and automation controls comply with safety, food safety, and regulatory standards.
• Drive predictive/preventive maintenance programs to reduce unplanned downtime on critical equipment.
• Lead, coach, and develop the engineering and maintenance team, including shift-based technicians and engineers.
• Own engineering budgets, spare parts strategy, and contractor/vendor management.
• Partner with Production, Quality, and Food Safety teams to resolve equipment issues without compromising hygiene or compliance standards.
• Champion a strong safety culture on the plant floor, including lockout/tagout and electrical safety practices.

Skills

Electrical engineering

Automation (PLC/SCADA)

Leadership & people management

Capital project leadership

Maintenance strategies

Safety & regulatory compliance

Education

Electrical Engineering

Mechatronics

Related engineering discipline

Tools

PLC/SCADA systems

Job description

Ambition Recruitment seeks a Senior Engineering Manager to lead electrical, automation, and overall plant engineering health for a manufacturing facility in Malaysia. You will drive reliability, safety, and continuous improvement across production lines.

Responsibilities include leading automation upgrades, managing budgets and vendor relationships, and coaching engineering/maintenance teams to deliver safe, compliant, and efficient operations.