Automation & Digital Lead

Unilever is Hiring for Automation & Digital Lead

Function: Supply Chain

Reports to: Engineering Manager

Scope: Local

Location: Boksburg

Terms & Conditions:Full Time, factory based

With 3.4 billion people in over 190 countries using our products every day, Unilever is a business that makes a real impact on the world. Work on brands that are loved and improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We are driven by our purpose: to make sustainable living commonplace, and it is our belief that doing business the right way drives superior performance. At the heart of what we do is our people – we believe that when our people work with purpose, we will create a better business and a better world. 

At Unilever, your career will be a unique journey, grounded in our inclusive, collaborative, and flexible working environment. We don’t believe in the ‘one size fits all’ approach and instead we will equip you with the tools you need to shape your own future.

JOB PURPOSE

This role exists to design, install, commission and maintain hardware & software for control systems and instrumentation systems. To perform engineering-related projects and design out recurring engineering problems. You’ll be part of a team that believes in doing work that matters — for people and the planet. Because here, we don’t just hire for jobs. We invite you to be part of something bigger.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Hardware / Software Design, Installation and Commissioning

• Designs and implements hardware and software taking into consideration the human/machine interface, i.e. how the operators will interact with the process. Investigates the availability of hardware and software on the market.
• Selects which hardware / software to use in the factory in terms of availability, wiring and equipment correspondence with material in use in the factory.
• Commissions the new system with the assistance of instrument technicians.
• Required to be pro-active in recommending opportunities for improvement in respect to production problems.
• Makes decisions regarding the final design taking into consideration the requirements of the legislation.

Project Management & Implementation

• Lead automation and digitalization projects from concept through commissioning.
• Interface with OEMs, system integrators, and cross-functional teams to deliver solutions on time and within budget.
• Ensure robust FAT/SAT, control narratives, and documentation for all automation-related projects.

Operational Technology (OT) Infrastructure

• Maintain and optimize PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, historians, and industrial networks (e.g., Profinet, Ethernet/IP).
• Ensure system reliability, backups, patch management, and compliance with cybersecurity requirements.
• Oversee OT/IT convergence in alignment with corporate digital strategy.

Maintenance and Fault finding

• Keeps the control system operational by fault finding, correcting faults and documenting system changes.
• Responsible for the systems integrity, back ups and DRP’s.

Implementation

• Documents operations training manuals for training of users.
• Is responsible for training maintenance personnel and operating personnel on maintenance and operation of new control systems.
• Raises the budget and ensures that the project remains within budget.

SHE

• Interprets relevant laws and standards and ensure that standards and laws are implemented and adhered to.
• Investigates accidents and incidents and draws up reports.
• Operates within the framework of the NOSA and OHS, SHEACO Acts, and work permit procedures.

Leadership

• Co-ordinates the work of Instrument mechanics and Technicians during the installation and commissioning phase of the project
• Build site capability through training of engineering teams, technicians, and operators on automation and digital tools.

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED

Experience and Qualifications:

• B.Sc Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Control systems/ Industrial Automations Engineering/ B.Tech Electrical Engineering
• 5+ years experience of instrument control, automation/ Digital roles in Manufacturing or FMCG.

EXPERIENCE & PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access) & SAP/PMS (Plant maintenance systems)
• Strong understanding of PLC experience minimum 3 years (Siemens, Allen Bradley, Schneider).
• Familiarity with IT/OT systems, data architecture, and networking (VPNs, firewalls, OPC, MQTT, etc.)
• Support, guide and drive OHS and SHE regulations and standards and ensure compliance

SKILLS

• Strategic mindset and ability to align digital strategy with factory priorities
• Strong project management skills (agile or waterfall)
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving capabilities
• Experience with industrial data systems (e.g., OSIsoft PI, Ignition, etc.)
• Working knowledge of Industry 4.0, IIoT, and Smart Factory principles
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills

Critical SOL (Standards of Leadership) Behaviors

• Care deeply:  caring deeply about how consumers experience our brands every day, everywhere; about our people’s growth and development, and our impact on the planet. You care about your performance, to a point where it hurts when you don’t win.  Always brings their best self. Has emotional intelligence to take feedback, manage mood and motivations and build empathy for others. Sets high standards for themselves. Has humility, understanding that leadership is service to others, inside and outside of Unilever.
• Focus on what counts: We set clear and stretching goals and recognise maximum performance impact.  Generates intensity and focus to motivate people to deliver results at speed.
• Stay three steps ahead:  We think boldly and creatively to make breakthroughs in performance. We are always curious and confident – anticipating and staying ahead of consumer needs and external trends to beat the competition. Approaches delivery with an iterative and incremental, test - do - learn approach. Has an owner’s mindset, using data and insight to make decisions.
• Deliver with excellence:  We deliver everything we do with excellence and pace. We take personal ownership and hold each other to account – always finding a way to do what we said we will do.  Takes personal responsibility and accountability for execution and results.

LEADERSHIP

• Always brings their best self. Actively builds own wellbeing and resilience. Has emotional intelligence to take feedback, manage mood and motivations and build empathy for others. Sets high standards for themselves.
• Enables people within an organization or outside an organization to engage with each other productively and efficiently.
• Inspires the energy needed to win and grow. Generates intensity and focus to motivate people to deliver results at speed. Has an owner’s mindset, using data and insight to make decisions. Takes personal responsibility and accountability for execution and results.
• Approaches delivery with an iterative and incremental, test - do - learn approach. Prioritizes work on value to customer. Has a comprehensive understanding of Agile principles, values, methodologies and practices that enable agility. Experiments with these in their own delivery. Can articulate and works towards the shifts that are required to create an agile culture, focusing on capacity, culture and capability.
• Works from purpose for the good of others. Has own inner compass of purpose which inspires actions. Has humility, understanding that leadership is service to others, inside and outside of Unilever. Believes in and contributes towards Unilever’s purpose to make sustainable living commonplace.
• Employee advocacy is about harnessing the purpose and passion of our people who want to share their support for Unilever’s values, the actions we are taking on issues that matter to them or to showcase our brands and activities on their social networks or social circles. It is increasingly important to be conversant with the role employees can play as advocates outside Unilever, and conversely how to understand and manage employee criticism that may feed into external issue.

Unilever is an equal opportunities employer and committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace.  We are intentional in employing the best talent that reflects the demographics of our country and which will help build representation of currently under-represented groups. We therefore invite applications from all candidates representing diversity of age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief. When appointing potential candidates, the South African Employment Equity and Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Legislation will be considered.  

We are required by law to verify your ability to work lawfully in South Africa. If you are applying as a foreign national, please note that you may be requested to provide supporting documents supporting this.

This is an office-based role in Johannesburg (Boksburg) and requires 100% of time attendance on site.

Unilever is an organisation committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! Thus if you require any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.