Automation Director, LATAM

Job Description Summary:

We are on a multi-year transformation journey to modernize our network of 19 manufacturing sites. We are investing heavily in automation and digitization as part of this strategy and to get the organization ready for the new ways of operating in CPS. The Regional Automation Director is responsible for defining and leading the automation strategy across the manufacturing network within their region. This role drives the deployment, standardization, and optimization of automation, controls, and digital manufacturing solutions to improve safety, quality, reliability, productivity, and cost performance across sites in the LATAM region. In addition, the role builds organizational capability in the plants for the automation and non-automation personnel to increase uptime and drive down maintenance costs.

Reporting to Sr. Director, CPS Automation, the role partners closely with plant engineering, operations, digital, IT/OT, quality, EHS, and capital project teams to ensure automation capabilities are aligned with business priorities and support the company’s broader manufacturing transformation agenda.

What You'll do for Us:

Regional automation strategy

• Develop and execute the regional automation and controls strategy aligned to business, manufacturing, and digital transformation priorities.
• Build a multi-year automation roadmap across the plant network in partnership with the site automation teams, including modernization of legacy control systems, digital integration, and smart manufacturing enablement.
• Identify and prioritize automation opportunities that improve operational performance, capacity, labor productivity, energy efficiency, and asset reliability.

Standards, Governance, and Technical Leadership

• Govern regional automation standards, architecture, and best practices across controls, SCADA, PLC, HMI, MES, historians, and OT infrastructure.
• Ensure consistency in automation design, cybersecurity, lifecycle management, and system support models across the region.
• Act as the regional subject matter expert for automation and controls, providing technical leadership to plants and project teams.
• Drive standardization of platforms, vendors, and engineering approaches where appropriate to reduce complexity and total cost of ownership.

Capital Projects and Program Delivery

• Provide strategic leadership for automation workstreams associated with regional capital projects, including new lines, plant expansions, equipment upgrades, and brownfield modernization.
• Lead automation initiatives, ensure automation scope is clearly defined and delivered on time, within budget, and in line with safety, quality, and operational requirements.
• Create automation project management and VSU standards.

Plant Performance and Continuous Improvement

• Establish regional governance, escalation processes, and technical support models to ensure rapid resolution of critical automation issues impacting production, quality, reliability, and safety.
• Drive root cause analysis and structured problem-solving for recurring controls and automation failures.
• Leverage data and digital tools and coach site automation engineers to improve line performance, downtime reduction, process capability, and OEE.
• Identify and scale successful automation solutions across the regional network.
• Set regional automation maintenance strategy and drive automation maintenance cost reduction

Capability Building and Team Leadership

• Actively participate in hiring plant automation engineers.
• Build organizational capability in automation and controls across the region through training, coaching, and technical community development. This includes capability in both automation and non-automation personnel.
• Lead, mentor, and develop plant automation engineers and regional technical resources.
• Foster a high-performance culture focused on safety, operational excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Build strong cross-functional relationships with operations, engineering, digital, IT, quality, maintenance, and external partners.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Automation, Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related technical discipline. Advanced degree preferred.
• 7-10+ years of progressive experience in automation, controls, manufacturing engineering, industrial systems, or digital manufacturing within FMCG, food & beverage, consumer products, pharmaceutical, or other high-volume manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing automation, controls, or smart manufacturing strategies across multiple manufacturing sites or a regional manufacturing network.
• Proven track record leading large-scale automation modernization, digitization, Industry 4.0, or manufacturing transformation initiatives with measurable operational and financial outcomes. ·  Experience leading complex, cross-functional programs involving operations, engineering, maintenance, digital, IT/OT, quality, and external partners. ·  Experience influencing senior leaders and driving alignment across a matrixed organization without direct authority. 
• Demonstrated success developing technical capability, building communities of practice, and leading technical talent across multiple locations. ·  Experience managing automation-related capital investments, technology portfolios, or major capital project workstreams.

Technical competencies

• Deep knowledge of industrial automation systems including: PLCs (e.g., Siemens, Rockwell, Schneider), SCADA / HMI systems, DCS / batch control systems, Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)
• Industrial networks and OT infrastructure
• Data historians and connected factory solutions
• Detailed Hardware Knowledge of machine electrical safety standards, Control Panel design, Equipment connectivity protocols, robotics, Drives, Vision systems, etc
• Strong knowledge of OT cybersecurity requirements and network segmentation

What We’ll Do for You

• Enable exposure to cutting-edge automation technologies and digital solutions within a global innovation framework.
• Develop global engineering practices and elevate technical expertise through collaboration with world-class partners and centers of excellence.
• Position you at the intersection of technology and operations, driving sustainable solutions that deliver measurable business impact.

Skills:

Collaborative Leadership, Communication, Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Data Compilation, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Process Control, Process Engineering, Production Processes, Risk Assessments, Statistical Process Control (SPC)

Location(s):

Costa Rica

City/Cities:

Liberia

Travel Required:

26% - 50%

Relocation Provided:

No

Job Posting End Date:

November 1, 2026

Our Purpose and Growth Culture:

We are taking deliberate action to nurture an inclusive culture that is grounded in our company purpose, to refresh the world and make a difference. We act with a growth mindset, take an expansive approach to what’s possible and believe in continuous learning to improve our business and ourselves. We focus on four key behaviors – curious, empowered, inclusive and agile – and value how we work as much as what we achieve. We believe that our culture is one of the reasons our company continues to thrive after 130+ years. Visit Our Purpose and Vision to learn more about these behaviors and how you can bring them to life in your next role at Coca-Cola.