Senior OT & Automation Leader, Asia-Pacific

abbott; Singapore; On-site; SGD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Abbott Singapore is seeking a Senior Manager Automation & Operational Technology to lead the regional OT function across Asia and New Zealand, defining strategy, guiding projects, and ensuring execution. You will oversee automation control systems, OT solutions and data platforms, partnering with IT and external engineering partners.

Responsibilities include setting regional standards, driving continuous improvement, managing budgets and contracts, and delivering the NZ Integration project.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience delivering capital projects in high-volume manufacturing environments.
• Experience in regulated industries (FDA/USDA) and validated systems/processees.
• Strong background managing engineering firms, suppliers, and contractors.
• Demonstrated project management expertise, including scope and budget control.
• Experience in nutritional manufacturing preferred.
• Executive presence with strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electrical/Controls/CS preferred).
• Project Management experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee resource planning and technical execution for a portfolio of large capital projects across the region, including the use of external engineering partners.
• Support front-end project development for controls and OT scope, covering architecture, specifications, cost, risk, and schedule, in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Drive continuous improvement in system design, procurement, installation, and validation.
• Establish and maintain regional standards for OT and controls hardware/software.
• Partner with IT to ensure reliable integration and ongoing support of shared systems. Good understanding of cybersecurity is desired.
• Manage software licensing, vendor relationships, and contract negotiations in coordination with procurement and legal.
• Provide technical support to sites, addressing system issues, reducing technical debt, and implementing improvements.
• Serve as a technical advisor to senior leadership and stakeholders on key initiatives.
• Partner with Industrial Analytics and AI leaders to ensure a robust pipeline of data that supports day-to-day decision making.
• Lead delivery of the New Zealand Integration project from an Operational Technology and automation standpoint.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Project management

Communication

Strategic thinking

Interpersonal skills

Cybersecurity awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Automation systems

SCADA

HMI

OT security

Job description

Abbott Singapore is seeking a Senior Manager Automation & Operational Technology to lead the regional OT function across Asia and New Zealand, defining strategy, guiding projects, and ensuring execution. You will oversee automation control systems, OT solutions and data platforms, partnering with IT and external engineering partners.

Responsibilities include setting regional standards, driving continuous improvement, managing budgets and contracts, and delivering the NZ Integration project.