Job Description

Department:

Engineering

Reports to:

Vice President, Engineering

Location:

Mississauga, ON

Purpose:

The Director of Process Engineering and Automation is a strategic and hands-on leader responsible for developing, implementing, and optimizing process engineering and automation strategies across all manufacturing operations. This role is critical to driving efficiency, productivity, product quality, and cost-effectiveness in a high-performance food manufacturing environment. The director will lead a team of engineers and partner with cross-functional teams including Operations, Quality, R&D, Maintenance, and IT to ensure world-class performance and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities:

Develop and lead the strategic direction for process engineering and automation across all plants. Build and lead a high-performing engineering and automation team. Provide technical leadership in evaluating and implementing new manufacturing technologies. Lead efforts to improve line efficiency, throughput, and yield across manufacturing operations. Use Lean, Six Sigma, and other CI methodologies to identify bottlenecks, reduce waste, and improve process reliability. Collaborate with QA and R&D to ensure that process changes support food safety and quality standards. Identify and lead automation initiatives including robotics, PLC/HMI systems, SCADA, MES, and Industry 4.0 technologies. Evaluate and implement automation solutions that reduce labor costs, improve consistency, and enhance safety. Ensure seamless integration between automation systems and ERP/manufacturing software. Ensure compliance with all regulatory, safety, and environmental requirements related to food production and automation systems. Support development of SOPs and training for new processes and technologies. Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, IT, and Supply Chain to ensure alignment of engineering initiatives. Act as a technical advisor to senior leadership on automation and process strategies.

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, or Industrial preferred); Master's degree a plus. 10+ years of experience in process engineering and automation within food manufacturing or CPG industry. 5+ years of leadership experience with proven success in managing teams and projects. Deep knowledge of food manufacturing processes, food safety standards (GFSI, HACCP), and sanitary design principles. Proficiency in automation technologies: PLCs, robotics, SCADA, MES, and industrial networks. Up to 25-40% to support multiple manufacturing sites, vendors, and project locations.

Gay Lea Foods is a proud Canadian-owned dairy food and beverage company with a robust portfolio that includes 7 established brands such as Gay Lea Butter, Nordica Cottage Cheese, Ivanhoe Cheese, Salerno Cheese, and Hewitt's Dairy. Our wide range of products are sold in Retail, Foodservice, Industrial, Co-pack, and Export markets, developed and produced out of our 13 manufacturing facilities in Ontario and Alberta.

Delivering high-quality and innovative products - from the consumer favourite Spreadables and North America's first Smooth(TM) Cottage Cheese, to Nothing But Cheese(TM), an innovative snack made with 100% cheese, is what makes us market leaders in our categories. Our grassroots approach to business is what guides our direction and differentiates us from our competitors.



Our employees inspire our culture of excellence and entrepreneurship. We hire innovative and passionate professionals who know that greatness is achieved through people, partnerships, and acting with a business owner mindset.

For more about us visit:

http://www.gaylea.com



Gay Lea Foods is an equal-opportunity employer and values diversity in our workplace.



Reasonable accommodation is available upon request throughout our recruitment and selection process.



Thank you for your interest in Gay Lea Foods.



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