Job Title: Director of Automation & Controls

Job Reference No: 22141

Department: Technical Operations

Job Grade: 3

Job Type: Enable

Career Family: Operational

Reports to: VP Technical Operations

Nos Post Holders: 1

Location: US

Date updated: October 1, 2021

Purpose:

The Director of Automations is primarily responsible for ensuring the effective deployment of key control systems, interfaces, and instruments to support safe and efficient Operations. This will be done by growing the capabilities of the Automation Team, identifying, and implementing leading practices as it relates to Automation, HCI interfaces, programming, and instrumentation. Providing plant level support for process related opportunities including troubleshooting, solutions identification, maintenance, and programming for all relevant systems. Provides input and influence on Plant Design in green/brownfield projects from an automation design perspective. Builds and maintain strong working relationships with Plant Teams.

Organization Chart:

VP Technical Operations

Director of Automation & Controls

Direct Reports - 4 Automation Engineers and 1 Electrical Engineer

Dimensions:

• Will have a strong partnership with the HSE group to drive improvements
• Support the development of multiple stakeholders by ensuring compliance/training and leading the organization's strategy
• Will support locations across US, partnering with the teams across North America
• Demonstrated ability to work across functions and geographies - a strong background in a multi-unit organization

• Works with a strong sense of urgency
• Customer service-oriented attitude; role supports the Operations and Capital departments
• A problem solver at heart, readily accepts the challenges that come with safe Operations

Key Accountabilities:

Owning Safety

• Lead with the core value of Owning Safety through every action and decision in role and through positive influence on all stakeholders
• Fully committed to working in a manner consistent with all aspects of Owning Safety by ensuring personal safe work practices are in place and adhered to.

Team & Leadership

• Lead and work in a manner that consistent with Drax values
• Grow the skills and capabilities of the Automation Team, focused on making the people around you better
• Lead control & electrical design reviews of existing and greenfield facilities
• Grow plant level knowledge and competency of Automation to support Owning Safety, including, how to maintain, test, operate and control systems
• Work with the Operations team to facilitate the development and prioritization of Automation and Control initiatives
• Effectively communicate issues, remediation plans and status on major initiatives to all levels of leadership
• Direct and interact during major initiatives
• An understanding of project management principals is necessary due to the significant amount of projects that the candidate's team will be responsible to deliver. Must have the ability to review detailed project plans and identify major oversights.

Automation & Control Focus

• Equipped with a strong understanding of the production process, lead the optimization and instrumentation changes to management team to improve safety or productivity
• Regularly evaluation all aspects of the Drax control and automation systems to establish a cadence of continuous improvement
• Possess a proven track record of delivering results, demonstrated business acumen and high-level understanding of the P&L and balance sheet are required
• Provide remote and off-hour remote support during upset conditions or system failures
• Maintain process sensors maintenance; complete sensor verification, analyze issue and recommend solutions
• Ensure system maintenance is robust, evaluation instrumentation logic to support HMI systems
• Train Plant Operators and Maintenance Teams on the operation of new instruments, installation, calibration, testing as well as software, updates, or enhancements
• Lead your Team in the commissioning new instrumentation, interfacing the appropriate electrical and process components with our plant PLC system (i.e., Allen Bradley Controllogix)
• Research, trial, and support initiatives to allow plants to be safer and operate more efficiently
• Participate in the vetting process of any process safety changes Plant Management, Automation and Central Operations
• Lead in the selection, installation, and calibration of key process instrumentation

Knowledge, Skills and Experience required:

• Bachelor's Degree: Control Engineering/Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering, Automation, Process Control, Electrical Engineering degree/diploma
• >10 years' experience in Automation in a forestry, manufacturing, or related industry
• Demonstrated competency in development and execution of strategy as well as in management of day-to-day operations
• Knowledge of the latest trends in manufacturing technology and the ability to apply and adapt the technology to new situations
• Has the ability to accurately assess business situations and set priorities for improvement

• Strong knowledge of PLC's, programming, instrumentation, and machine control systems
• Competency in electrical programming, sensors, change commands and troubleshooting
• Ability to independently manage multiple projects in different phases, with competing priorities
• Effective operations systems thinker & a good understanding of operational process knowledge.
• Excellent Team leader exhibited by outstanding communication skills
• Expert level with personal computers and business applications

Special Features:

• Will be required to travel within North America (>50%)
• Will require regular attendance at leadership team meetings to help prepare and present data
• A flexible approach to working extended hours, as needed

Measures of Success:

• Collaborate with the appropriate stakeholders to ensure effectiveness
• Leverage external resources/peers to cultivate best practices within the industry
• The individual will provide North American leadership, compliance and training for the organization as well as being expected to contribute at both a strategic and facility level to identify priorities and recommend solutions to support the business
• Works safe, cares for the safety of others

• A mindset that balances both thought and innovation with direct and successful execution is critical

• Must be able to think strategically and act tactically, i.e. see the big picture and roll up your sleeves to do the work

How You Need to Act:

• We care about what matters - we help each other achieve the things that are important to each of us
• We're a can-do kind of place - we're empowered and encouraged to make informed decisions, act, and do the right thing
• We see things differently - we share inspiration and insight right across Drax, and search for new ideas and ways of working
• We listen carefully - we make sure that people feel genuinely heard, acknowledged and that what they say matters
• We do what we say we'll do - we're proactive, committed, and reliable -and trust others to be the same
• Listen and is open to feedback; able to course correct
• Demonstrates nimbleness within a dynamic environment
• Demonstrates a hands-on attitude and an attention to detail

• Authentic, respectful-diplomatic-thoughtful

Physical/Mental Requirements

Physical/Mental Abilities

Significant

(>50%)

Frequent

(10-50%)

Seldom

(
Never

(0%)

Use written (verbal visual) sources of information, e.g. read reports, procedural documentation, reference materials

X

Perform detailed work requiring visual activity, e.g. repair electronic equipment

X

Uses non-verbal auditory sources of information, e.g. alarms

X

Use oral communication to perform work, e.g. answer telephone, receive visitors

X

Digital dexterity, e.g. using computer keyboard

X

Stand

X

Sit

X

Reach

X

Grasp

X

Lift/Carry objects which weigh over 10 pounds

X

Lift/Carry objects which weigh over 50 pounds

X

Walk

X

Climb

X

Kneel

X

Squat/Bend

X

Push/Pull

X

Make minor decisions requiring limited judgement, e.g. task sequencing, filing, sorting mail

X

Make general decisions in the absence of specific directions, e.g. prioritizing workload

X

Job Holder Signature: ......................................................

Line Manager Signature: ......................................................

Date: ......................................................