Automation Manager (m/f/d)

We are looking for an Automation Manager. This role combines team management, deep technical expertise in industrial automation, and the leadership of strategic projects in a demanding environment where safety and operational continuity are critical.

Our client is an international industrial player operating in a continuous production environment with high technical and regulatory requirements. They are seeking an expert in industrial automation capable of managing a multidisciplinary team and overseeing all critical systems related to automation, instrumented safety, and OT infrastructures.

Responsibilities

• Manage a team composed of industrial automation specialists and coordinate external resources during production shutdowns.
• Ensure the availability, reliability, and performance of automation systems, process control, and instrumented safety.
• Guarantee proper governance of OT infrastructures, industrial networks, and cybersecurity.
• Supervise backup, disaster recovery, redundancy, and continuity strategies for critical systems.
• Lead industrial automation projects, facility modernisation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Actively participate in commissioning, tuning, and process optimisation phases.
• Ensure the application of Functional Safety standards and manage the lifecycle of instrumented safety systems.
• Work closely with production, maintenance, instrumentation, engineering, and IT teams.
• Prioritise operational requests and projects while maintaining a comprehensive view of site challenges.
• Support operational teams by simplifying technical topics and fostering understanding of implemented solutions.
• Develop team skills, allocate priorities, and ensure a high level of service across various departments.

Candidate Profile

• Engineering degree in automation, industrial automation, or an equivalent discipline.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in industrial automation.
• Experience gained in continuous production industrial environments such as chemicals, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, energy, or fertilisers.
• Excellent command of DCS systems, industrial PLCs, and instrumented safety systems (SIS).
• In-depth knowledge of Process Control, commissioning, and control loop optimisation.
• Expertise in Functional Safety and good knowledge of associated standards (IEC 61511 or equivalent).
• Experience with platforms such as Honeywell, Emerson DeltaV, Siemens PCS7, or equivalent systems is a major asset.
• Experience in managing multidisciplinary technical projects.
• Initial managerial experience preferred.
• Excellent communication skills in French and English.
• Strong prioritisation, analytical, and organisational skills.
• Ability to interact with all organisational levels and manage multiple simultaneous demands.

Conditions and Benefits

• Strategic position with a high level of autonomy and responsibility.
• Highly technical industrial environment offering varied challenges.
• Balance between team management (approximately 40%) and technical expertise/projects (approximately 60%).
• Opportunity to oversee critical systems for industrial operational continuity.
• Collaboration with numerous departments and participation in large-scale projects.
• Recruitment process includes an initial Teams interview followed by an on-site meeting with key stakeholders.

Apply by sending an email to laurameyer@ michaelpage.ch