Automation Manager - Food & Beverage

Vertech

13h•Hybrid

About The Position

This isn’t a role for someone who wants to sit on the sidelines reviewing status reports. We need a hands-on leader who understands the realities of Food & Beverage manufacturing, can guide complex automation projects from concept through startup, and knows how to build a high-performing team that consistently delivers exceptional results. You’ll lead talented engineers and automation professionals while helping some of the nation’s leading Food & Beverage manufacturers improve efficiency, quality, safety, and production performance. If you’re equally comfortable discussing ISA-88 batch strategies, coaching team members, reviewing project financials, and solving customer challenges, you may have found your next opportunity.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical field (or equivalent industry experience)
15+ years of technical experience
7+ years of industrial automation experience
3+ years of leadership experience with accountability for team performance and success
Proven experience delivering automation solutions within Food & Beverage manufacturing environments
Strong understanding of batch process automation and ISA-88 methodologies
Experience with CIP (Clean-In-Place) systems, liquid processing systems, filtration systems, and sanitary process design
Familiarity with FDA, USDA, GMP, and GAMP regulated manufacturing environments
Strong understanding of industrial control systems including PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems, instrumentation, and process control
Excellent leadership, communication, organizational, and business management skills

Responsibilities

Build, lead, and develop a world class automation team capable of supporting Vertech’s continued growth
Coach, mentor, and support team members through career development, technical growth, and consistent feedback
Ensure the team is staffed with the right skills and expertise to support current and future project demands
Own team performance, profitability, utilization, quality, and operational effectiveness
Drive continuous improvement through standardization, process refinement, automation, and reuse
Oversee key Food & Beverage automation projects from design through commissioning, startup, validation, and production support
Review technical solutions to ensure quality, consistency, reliability, and customer satisfaction
Collaborate with leadership on strategic planning, resource allocation, and operational improvements
Work closely with HR and leadership on hiring, onboarding, team development, and succession planning
Participate in customer-facing discussions and serve as a trusted advisor on automation strategy and execution
Ensure projects and teams operate in alignment with Vertech’s culture, values, and performance expectations