Automation Lead

Our client is looking for an Automation Lead to join their team in Portland, OR. This role provides the opportunity to lead electrical, controls, and automation operations within a complex manufacturing environment. You will be responsible for driving operational excellence across safety, quality, delivery, cost, sustainability, and employee engagement while ensuring manufacturing strategies are executed effectively. Success in this role requires strong technical leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and a willingness to support operations across 1st, 2nd, or 3rd shift as business needs require.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Maintenance Excellence

• Build and strengthen technical capability within the electrical and controls team.
• Develop and expand PLC (Allen-Bradley) and DCS (Foxboro) knowledge across maintenance personnel.
• Develop, implement, and maintain preventive and predictive maintenance programs for electrical, instrumentation, and control systems.
• Ensure electrical and control documentation is accurate, current, and accessible.
• Maintain a high level of personal technical expertise in plant electrical and control systems.
• Develop and execute maintenance and inspection plans to ensure the reliability, sustainability, and security of electrical distribution systems.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local safety, health, and environmental regulations, including OSHA standards.
• Ensure all installations and modifications follow safe design principles, proper protection systems, procedures, and training requirements.
• Partner with site safety leadership on matters related to electrical safety, power distribution, energy conservation, and regulatory compliance.

Operations Support & Continuous Improvement

• Provide hands-on technical support to maintenance teams during assigned shifts and on an on-call basis for off-shift support.
• Support electrical and controls work performed by electricians and external contractors.
• Coordinate cross-functionally to resolve electrical and automation issues impacting production.
• Support and promote maintenance redesign initiatives to extend equipment life and improve system reliability.

Capital Projects & Governance

• Partner with Engineering to support the development and implementation of capital projects and productivity improvements.
• Establish strong governance processes to review, control, and improve operational performance.
• Drive a continuous improvement culture with a zero-loss mindset focused on technology, capability, and operating systems.

Manufacturing Leadership & People Development

• Support annual manufacturing operational plans aligned to Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, Sustainability, and Engagement goals.
• Coach leaders and teams to ensure alignment around priorities, performance metrics, and operational targets.
• Lead and develop talent by attracting, retaining, and building technical and leadership capabilities across the manufacturing organization.
• Collaborate effectively with internal and external partners to achieve operational objectives.

Qualifications & Experience

Required Skills & Experience

• Strong manufacturing leadership experience within the CPG or food industry.
• Experience with Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), Lean manufacturing, 5S, and Six Sigma tools.
• Proficiency with Allen-Bradley PLCs using RSLogix software.
• Working knowledge of Distributed Control Systems (DCS) and client/server architectures.
• Experience with industrial power systems, control circuits, and instrumentation.
• Experience with industrial communication networks including Fieldbus, Ethernet, and ControlNet.
• Hands-on experience with AC and DC drives (Allen-Bradley and Toshiba).
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and drawings.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, high-demand manufacturing environment.
• Proven ability to work effectively with vendors, operators, team leads, and skilled trades.

Education & Credentials

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechatronic, Electrical, or Electronic preferred).
• Maintenance background strongly preferred.
• Prior technical supervision experience required.
• Electrical license preferred.

Work Schedule Requirements

• Must be willing and able to work 1st, 2nd, or 3rd shift based on operational needs.
• On-call support required as necessary to support plant operations.