The Process Control Manager is responsible for leading process control and automation initiatives across a manufacturing operation. This role provides technical leadership for control systems, industrial automation, data historians, alarm management, and process optimization while managing a team of engineers and control specialists. The successful candidate will drive operational excellence, continuous improvement, system reliability, and the development of automation standards.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Team Management
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of process control professionals.
- Manage staffing activities, including recruiting, scheduling, performance evaluations, employee development, and disciplinary actions.
- Foster a culture of safety, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Manage departmental budgets and external automation contractors.
- Establish and maintain department standards, procedures, and documentation.
Process Control & Automation
- Design, develop, and maintain PLC and DCS control systems.
- Create and modify control system programs using Ladder Logic, Function Block Diagrams, and Sequential Function Charts.
- Support troubleshooting and optimization efforts for manufacturing processes and automation systems.
- Work closely with operations, maintenance, engineering, IT, and technical personnel to identify automation opportunities and resolve system issues.
Data Systems & Analytics
- Lead deployment, administration, and optimization of industrial data historian systems.
- Develop process performance dashboards, trend analysis tools, and historical data reporting solutions.
- Convert operational data into actionable information to support decision-making and process improvement initiatives.
Alarm Management & System Reliability
- Develop, implement, and maintain alarm management programs in accordance with industry best practices.
- Monitor and improve control system performance, reliability, and operational effectiveness.
- Ensure robust backup, recovery, and system support strategies are in place.
Documentation & Standards
- Develop and maintain process control documentation, including:
- P&IDs
- Functional specifications
- Loop sheets
- Instrument specification sheets
- Flow diagrams
- I/O lists and mapping documentation
- Establish and maintain engineering standards for automation projects and system lifecycle management.
Project Management
- Lead process control and automation projects from concept through commissioning and startup.
- Manage project scope, schedules, budgets, and contractor activities.
- Support capital projects, modernization efforts, and process improvement initiatives across the facility.
- Coordinate commissioning, testing, validation, and startup activities.
Technical Expertise
- Serve as the subject matter expert for industrial communication networks and protocols, including:
- Modbus
- Fieldbus
- EtherNet/IP
- DeviceNet
- Support the design, configuration, and deployment of industrial networking infrastructure, servers, and control system hardware.
Compliance & Safety
- Ensure compliance with applicable environmental, safety, quality, and process safety management requirements.
- Promote safe work practices and adherence to company policies and industry standards.
- Support quality management systems and continuous improvement programs.
Qualifications
Education
- Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation, Controls Engineering, Industrial Technology, or a related technical field, or equivalent experience.
Experience
- Minimum 10 years of experience in industrial automation, process control, controls engineering, or related disciplines.
- Minimum 5 years of leadership or management experience leading technical teams.
- Extensive experience with PLC, DCS, SCADA, and HMI systems.
- Demonstrated experience implementing and managing industrial data historian platforms.
- Strong background in commissioning, troubleshooting, and supporting manufacturing automation systems.
Preferred Skills
- Alarm management experience aligned with ISA 18.2 principles.
- Knowledge of Process Safety Management (PSM).
- Strong project management and organizational skills.
- Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities while delivering high-quality results in a fast-paced environment.