The Director – Instrumentation and Control is responsible for leading all aspects of instrumentation, process control systems, and factory automation across food production plants. This role drives operational excellence through advanced control strategies, ensuring compliance with food safety standards and optimizing production reliability, efficiency, and traceability.
Develop and lead the corporate I&C strategy and roadmap for automation modernization across multiple food processing facilities.
Align instrumentation and control systems with production, quality, safety, and sustainability goals.
Establish governance frameworks for instrumentation standardization, design validation, and digital transformation.
Oversee the selection, installation, calibration, and maintenance of field instrumentation (flow, pressure, level, temperature, pH, conductivity, etc.).
Ensure instrumentation supports consistent product quality and process optimization.
Implement smart sensors and networked field devices for real-time diagnostics and monitoring.
Lead implementation, upgrade, and standardization of PLC, SCADA, HMI, DCS, and batch control systems.
Integrate control systems with MES, ERP, and traceability platforms for full process visibility.
Deploy data-driven automation strategies, including predictive control, recipe management, and alarm optimization.
Ensure all I&C systems comply with food industry standards (GMP, FDA, FSMA, ISO 22000, HACCP).
Establish and enforce cybersecurity practices based on ISA/IEC 62443 for industrial control networks.
Support regulatory audits and maintain comprehensive validation documentation.
Champion Industry 4.0 initiatives—IoT integration, cloud connectivity, edge computing, and real-time analytics.
Foster digital twin development, AI-driven process optimization, and energy monitoring systems.
Pilot and scale digital solutions that reduce waste, downtime, and energy consumption.
Lead a multi-disciplinary team of instrumentation engineers, automation specialists, and project managers.
Work closely with operations, quality assurance, IT/OT, and maintenance teams to support cross-functional projects.
Develop talent through training, coaching, and succession planning in advanced I&C practices.
Deep expertise in process instrumentation, automation platforms, and control theory
Proven leadership of multi-site engineering or technical teams in a regulated environment
Strong knowledge of food processing operations and hygienic equipment design
Experience with digital manufacturing, smart sensors, and advanced analytics tools
Excellent project management, vendor negotiation, and stakeholder communication skills
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Instrumentation, Automation, Electrical, or Control Systems Engineering
15+ years of experience in instrumentation/control roles within the food or FMCG industry
Familiarity with control systems from Siemens, Rockwell, ABB, Schneider, or Emerson
Certifications in PMP, Six Sigma, ISA, or relevant industry bodies are a plus