Job Description Summary:

Job Description:

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 in the new ways of operation 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 APAC region. In addition, the role builds organizational capability in the plants for the automation and non-automation personnel for to increase uptime and drive down the maintenance cost.

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.

Responsibilities:

• Regional automation strategy: Develop and execute the regional automation and controls strategy aligned to business, manufacturing, and digital transformation priorities.
• Standards, Governance, and Technical Leadership: Govern regional automation standards, architecture, and best practices across controls, SCADA, PLC, HMI, MES, historians, and OT infrastructure.
• 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.
• 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.
• Capability Building and Team Leadership: Actively participate in hiring of the plant automation engineers.

Qualifications & Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Automation, Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering or related technical discipline. Advance 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.

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.

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:

September 21, 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.