Lead Engineer Industrial Automation & Robotics

Posted 3 Days Ago
Be an Early Applicant
4 Locations
In-Office or Remote
Expert/Leader
Biotech • Manufacturing
The Role
Leads global industrial automation and robotics strategy, standards, architecture, technology selection, supplier partnerships, and solution deployment across manufacturing and warehousing sites. Drives smart manufacturing roadmaps, project delivery, operational handover, continuous improvement, and measurable gains in safety, quality, productivity, stability, and cost efficiency. Serves as the global technical authority while coordinating stakeholders across regions and supporting scalable automation, integration, and cybersecurity practices.
Summary Generated by Built In

Job Summary

Are you ready to shape the future of smart manufacturing by leading global industrial automation and robotics innovation across a worldwide production network?

IFF is a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients and health & biosciences, delivering sustainable innovations that elevate everyday products.

Taste Operations: We enable safe, efficient, and high-quality manufacturing by advancing operational excellence, digital transformation, and continuous improvement across our global manufacturing network.

The role can be based in Celje, Slovenia; Cairo, Egypt; Gebze, Türkiye; or Johannesburg, South Africa (partially remote).

Join an experienced, collaborative, and solution-oriented team where you will lead global industrial automation and robotics initiatives, define technical standards, and deploy scalable solutions that improve safety, quality, productivity, and operational efficiency across multiple regions.

WHERE YOU'LL MAKE A DIFFERENCE

• Translate Smart Manufacturing and Digital Transformation priorities into scalable automation roadmaps and investment strategies.

• Define and maintain global standards, architectures, and best practices for industrial automation and robotics.

• Govern automation technology selection and ensure alignment with long-term platform and integration strategies.

• Lead the design and deployment of automation and robotics solutions across manufacturing and warehousing operations worldwide.

Act as the global technical authority for automation and robotics engineering, guiding system architecture and key design decisions while supporting knowledge sharing across teams.

• Drive adoption of global automation standards while balancing regional and site-specific operational needs.

• Build and manage strategic partnerships with automation and robotics suppliers while evaluating emerging technologies and fostering collaborative relationships.

• Track and deliver measurable improvements in safety, quality, productivity, process stability, and cost efficiency.

• Reduce manual activities, process variability, and system complexity through continuous improvement and standardization.

WHAT MAKES YOU THE RIGHT FIT

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Automation Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.

• 8 to 12 years of experience in industrial automation, robotics, process control, or advanced manufacturing environments, with proven experience delivering automation projects across multiple sites, countries, or regions.

• Strong knowledge of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems such as SAP, Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), and shopfloor data integration.

• Experience with Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), Distributed Control Systems (DCS), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, robotics technologies, and industrial networks.

• Knowledge of automation architecture, cybersecurity principles, and operational technology infrastructure.

• Proven project management experience from project initiation through operational handover.

• Strong ability to collaborate and influence stakeholders within a global, cross-functional, matrix organization.

• Strategic mindset with the ability to translate long-term goals into practical and scalable automation solutions.

• Fluent English (C1).

HOW WOULD YOU STAND OUT?

• Experience within flavors, food, chemical, or other regulated manufacturing industries.

• Knowledge of industrial automation and cybersecurity standards such as ISA-95 and IEC 62443.

• Experience with artificial intelligence-enabled automation, vision systems, or autonomous operations technologies.

WHY CHOOSE US?

• Opportunity to shape automation and robotics capabilities across a global manufacturing network and champion innovation at scale.

• Work on high-impact Smart Manufacturing and Digital Transformation initiatives with visible business outcomes, in a supportive and inclusive environment that encourages cooperation, continuous learning, and knowledge sharing.

• Collaborate with international teams and contribute to strategic operational decisions.

• Gain exposure to advanced technologies and complex global engineering programs.

• Access professional development, continuous learning, and long-term career growth opportunities.

• Join an inclusive workplace that values innovation, collaboration, and diverse perspectives and offers a competitive salary package.

We are a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering our customers a broader range of natural solutions and accelerating our growth strategy. At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential. We value the diverse mosaic of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, or veteran status. We strive for an inclusive workplace that allows each of our colleagues to bring their authentic self to work regardless of their religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability.

Visit IFF.com/careers/workplace-diversity-and-inclusion to learn more

Skills Required

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Automation Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Chemical Engineering, or a related field
  • 8 to 12 years of experience in industrial automation, robotics, process control, or advanced manufacturing environments
  • Experience delivering automation projects across multiple sites, countries, or regions
  • Knowledge of ERP systems such as SAP, Manufacturing Execution Systems, and shopfloor data integration
  • Experience with PLC, DCS, SCADA, robotics technologies, and industrial networks
  • Knowledge of automation architecture, cybersecurity principles, and operational technology infrastructure
  • Project management experience from project initiation through operational handover
  • Ability to collaborate with and influence stakeholders in a global, cross-functional, matrix organization
  • Strategic ability to translate long-term goals into practical, scalable automation solutions
  • Fluent English at C1 level
  • Experience in flavors, food, chemical, or other regulated manufacturing industries
  • Knowledge of ISA-95 and IEC 62443 industrial automation and cybersecurity standards
  • Experience with AI-enabled automation, vision systems, or autonomous operations technologies

IFF Family of Companies Compensation & Benefits Highlights

The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about IFF Family of Companies and has not been reviewed or approved by IFF Family of Companies.

  • Fair & Transparent Compensation Pay is considered competitive in many roles and locations, and compensation is often described as good.
  • Parental & Family Support A global minimum of 16 weeks of fully paid parental leave for all new parents is in place. This policy is positioned as a notable component of the overall package.
  • Leave & Time Off Breadth Core offerings include paid time off, sick days, holidays, and sabbatical leave. Flexible scheduling options such as compressed workweeks and hybrid/remote arrangements are available where feasible.

IFF Family of Companies Insights

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The Company
HQ: Chicago, IL
13,014 Employees

What We Do

Meet IFF: We boldly bring together science and creativity to create what the world needs. An industry leader in food, beverage, health and biosciences, we create essential solutions – from global icons to unexpected innovations and experiences. Equal parts outspoken and analytical, our international collective of thinkers working with customers to bring scents, tastes, experiences, ingredients and solutions for products people crave. With 24,000 employees across 65 countries, more than 110 manufacturing facilities, 100 R&D centers, and 33,000 customers across the world, we’re poised to make a difference on an unprecedented scale. Without our boundary-pushing passion and end-to-end expertise, the future wouldn’t be the same. Visit us at www.iff.com to learn more about how our talented people and new technology are challenging the expected, championing creators and doing more good for people and planet. Explore what sets us apart.

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