Manufacturing Insights Expert

Position Title: Manufacturing Insights Expert
Position Type: Regular - Full-Time
Position Location: Oakbrook Terrace
Requisition ID: 34840
McCain is undergoing a global digital transformation, investing heavily in advanced data architectures, AI-driven analytics, and next-generation digital products to create an intelligent, connected manufacturing ecosystem. This transformation is foundational to our strategy, enabling data-driven automation, predictive insights, and operational excellence across all manufacturing sites.
Our Technology team's goal is to inspire growth through innovative technology experiences. Our digital teams are key to delivering this ambition. McCain has established digital teams in Agriculture and Commercial and we are now looking forward to expanding our investments in Manufacturing.
This is a high-impact, high-visibility role requiring deep technical expertise in advanced analytics, industrial IoT, AI/ML-driven process optimization, and large-scale digital transformation. The ideal candidate will serve as a strategic thought leader and trusted advisor to McCain's senior leadership, influencing how we leverage data to revolutionize manufacturing operations.
Role:
This role is responsible for leading the end-to-end digital strategy, architecture, and execution for manufacturing analytics, ensuring McCain's 50+ global manufacturing sites achieve operational intelligence through data-driven insights.
This position requires a technical expert in industrial data systems (PI, MES, SCADA, PLCs, AI/ML, cloud-based architectures) with the ability to design and implement highly scalable, automated, and predictive manufacturing solutions.
The successful candidate will drive innovation, maximize asset efficiency, and shape the next generation of digital manufacturing at McCain, influencing cross-functional teams, executive leadership, and global plant operations.
Influential communication and the ability to strategically navigate at all levels of a diverse global organization are essential in this role. Key stakeholders include, but not limited to, Senior Leadership, Business teams and Region/Mill teams.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership & Digital Transformation:

• Define and execute a global digital manufacturing analytics roadmap that integrates AI driven predictive insights, cloud data platforms, and real-time automation.

• Serve as the technical authority for manufacturing intelligence, leading large-scale digital initiatives that enhance manufacturing efficiency, cost reduction, and productivity gains.
• Drive the adoption of industrial AI, digital twin technology, and predictive analytics to enable real-time decision-making and automation.
• Present compelling business cases to senior leaders and quantifiable ROI for advanced data-driven manufacturing initiatives.

Technical Expertise & Execution

• Lead the development of real-time manufacturing intelligence platforms,

• integrating historian data (PI), MES, SCADA, PLCs, cloud analytics, and machine learning models.
• Architect and deploy scalable analytics frameworks that deliver deep insights into OEE, predictive maintenance, quality optimization, and process automation.
• Develop and implement cutting-edge AI/ML algorithms for predictive modeling, anomaly detection, and root cause analysis.
• Ensure seamless integration of digital solutions with enterprise systems (SAP, Power BI, Tableau, MES, IoT platforms, cloud infrastructure).
• Oversee global implementation and change management, ensuring manufacturing teams successfully adopt and leverage new digital solutions.

Global Manufacturing Optimization & Value Creation

• Develop advanced analytical models to optimize production efficiency, reduce downtime, and improve quality outcomes across McCain's global plant network.

• Spearhead real-time monitoring, AI-driven prescriptive analytics, and IoT-enabled automation to enable data-driven manufacturing decisions.
• Partner with global supply chain, manufacturing, and IT teams to ensure alignment between digital transformation and end-to-end operational efficiency.
• Establish data governance frameworks to ensure data integrity, standardization, and interoperability across all manufacturing sites.
• Drive continuous improvement and innovation by identifying and scaling emerging Industry 4.0 technologies, including smart sensors, digital twins, and autonomous process control.

Capability Development & Change Leadership

• Design and lead executive training programs to enhance digital fluency and data-driven decision-making across manufacturing leadership.

• Champion organizational change management, ensuring successful adoption of digital tools through effective training, communication, and cultural transformation.

Qualifications & Experience:
Required:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, Data Science, Computer Science, AI/ML, or a related field.

• 15+ years of experience in manufacturing analytics, digital transformation, and industrial automation, with at least 5+ years in a senior leadership role.
• Proven expertise in manufacturing data platforms (OSIsoft PI, MES, SCADA, PLCs, IoT, cloud analytics, AI/ML).
• Deep knowledge of advanced analytics, machine learning, and AI-driven manufacturing intelligence solutions.
• Extensive experience in global project leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and enterprise-wide digital transformation.
• Strong technical proficiency in Python, SQL, R, Power BI, Tableau, and enterprise data architecture.
• Demonstrated ability to quantify business value from digital investments, developing ROI driven strategies.
• Experience in deploying predictive maintenance, digital twins, and AI-powered process optimization.
• Proven track record in global manufacturing with a deep understanding of OEE, quality control, process automation, and operational excellence.
• Strong leadership in organizational change, capability-building, and executive stakeholder management.
• Global perspective with the ability to lead complex initiatives across multiple regions.

Preferred:

• Ph.D. or MBA in a relevant technical or business field.
• Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Project Management (PMP), or equivalent expertise in CI/Lean and Operational Excellence.
• Hands-on experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), AI/ML frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch), and automation technologies.
• Strong knowledge of global supply chain operations and their interconnectivity with manufacturing.
• Experience in food manufacturing, consumer packaged goods (CPG), or high-volume production environments.
• Familiarity with emerging digital technologies, including blockchain, edge computing, and autonomous manufacturing systems.

#LI-McCain2025
Compensation Package : $105,000 - $137,000.00 USD annually + bonus eligibility + Long Term Incentive eligibility
The above reflects the target compensation range for the position at the time of posting. Hiring compensation will be determined based on experience, skill set, education/training, and other organizational needs.
Benefits : At McCain, we're on a mission to create a winning culture that puts employee safety and wellbeing at the heart of what we do, every day. We understand and appreciate that each person's needs are unique and ensure our benefits & wellbeing programs reflect that. Employees are eligible for the following benefits: health coverage (medical, dental, vision, prescription drug), retirement savings benefits, and leave support including medical, family and bereavement. Wellbeing programs include vacation and holidays, company-supported volunteering time, and mental health resources. Coverages are aligned to country, provincial and state governing plans and can vary by work level, location and nature of the role. Additional benefit details available during the application process.
Your well-being matters to us, and we're here to provide you with the necessary resources to support you in being your best self at work - and at home.
McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. We see value in ensuring we have a diverse, antiracist, inclusive, merit-based, and equitable workplace. As a global family-owned company we are proud to reflect the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that diversity drives our creativity, resilience, and success and makes our business stronger.
McCain is an accessible employer. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials or accessible meeting rooms), please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs.
Your privacy is important to us. By submitting personal data or information to us, you agree this will be handled in accordance with the Global Privacy Policy
Job Family: Information Technology
Division: Global Digital Technology
Department: Manufacturing Insights
Location(s): US - United States of America : Illinois : Chicago
Company: McCain Foods USA, Inc.