Global Process Automation Manufacturing Leader (Industrial Automation)

TL;DR

Global Process Automation Manufacturing Leader (Industrial Automation): Setting the global strategy and roadmap for shop-floor automation across seed manufacturing networks with an accent on Industry 4.0 standards and OT infrastructure. Focus on designing scalable PLC/SCADA/MES standards, leading global engineering teams, and integrating AI/ML for operational efficiency.

Location: Must be based in Des Moines, Iowa, United States

Company

A global leader in seed manufacturing and agricultural science dedicated to enhancing agricultural productivity.

What you will do

• Define and execute the global shop-floor automation strategy and roadmap, including building business cases.
• Establish and champion global standards for PLC/HMI, SCADA, MES, and historians.
• Lead a global automation engineering team and manage strategic vendor relationships.
• Own the automation scope for capital and expense projects, from design and vendor selection to commissioning.
• Drive innovation by evaluating and applying AI/ML, digital twins, and edge computing to improve uptime and safety.
• Define and track success metrics to measure the impact of deployed automation solutions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Automation, Computer Science, or equivalent.
• 10–15+ years of experience in industrial automation and control systems (DCS, PLC, SCADA, MES).
• Proven success leading global programs and influencing cross-functional stakeholders.
• Deep knowledge of ISA S88/S95, GMP validation, GAMP 5, and OT cybersecurity.
• Proficiency with automation platforms (e.g., Rockwell, Siemens) and MES systems.
• Location: Must be based in Des Moines, Iowa, United States.

Culture & Benefits

• Health benefits for employees and their families starting on the first day of employment.
• Generous time off including four weeks of paid vacation and two weeks of well-being pay per year.
• Comprehensive parental leave providing a minimum of 16 weeks for both mothers and fathers.
• Competitive retirement savings plan and tuition reimbursement program.
• Extensive professional development opportunities to build technical and leadership skills.