Process Control Engineer at Coca-Cola Lakeside

Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) has an exciting opportunity in our department. We are seeking a talented individual with relevant skills and experience for a Process Control Engineer position based in Lakeside. The successful candidate will report directly to the Engineering & Maintenance Manager.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Key Outcomes

Develop Control and Automation Standards 

• Design a roadmap to enhance current and future resource development
• Evaluate current C&A landscape across CCBSA
• Analyse C&A environment and develop adequate standards for review by Manufacturing Systems and Engineering leads.
• Develop standardised processes and procedures in consultation with operational leads to ensure C&A stability and reliability.
• Assist with ensuring that the system architecture environment remains aligned with manufacturing systems standards and IT standards where applicable.
• Create and maintain a C&A community by enabling knowledge sharing and skill transfer

Lead C&A Performance Optimisation 

• Facilitation, implementation and project management of automation and control systems projects to satisfy the requirements of manufacturing within budget and timelines.
• Manage resources (both equipment and personnel) to ensure business continuity in short and long-term windows
• Identify and motivate technical CAPIN justification.
• Coach, guide and assist both direct reports and influenced roles in project and operational scenarios
• Lead and effectively manage change, supporting pre-implementation, execution and post-implementation for pure C&A initiatives and activities that impact on C&A
• Ensure the integrity and reliability of production systems software and hardware from PLC devices to back-up system by monitoring maintenance, adherence to standards and effective problem solving.
  Consult with COE and support on technology and policy decisions in terms of new equipment and managing existing installations

Extract Value from Manufacturing Systems

• Proactively optimise Process Performance, through appropriate Problem-Solving Techniques and statistical analysis in order to improve performance.
• Monitor and evaluate operational processes with respect to C&A
• Proactively engage relevant technical/functional resources to initiate problem solving when deviations occurs
• Ensure proven solutions are entrenched and ubiquitous where financially viable
• Evaluate cost/benefit ratio of proposals to ensure efficient investment in technology, enhancements and maintenance with respect to C&A
• Scope and define changes with input from operational requirements and supplier expertise and determine the best specification/cost ratio in order to adequately suit business needs. 
• Determine actual system utilisation to leverage current installations to full potential

Functional Capabilities

• Process control and industrial automation engineering
• PLC, SCADA, and HMI programming and integration
• Instrumentation and control system troubleshooting
• Data acquisition and manufacturing data analytics
• Process optimisation and automation project execution
• Cybersecurity and system network integrity
• Control system life-cycle management
• Technical leadership and coaching of automation technicians
• Root cause analysis and control loop tuning

KBI

• Control system uptime (%)
• Number of control-related downtime incidents
• Mean Time to Repair (MTTR) for control systems
• Maintenance closure rate for control system issues
• Compliance with automation standards and protocols
• Project completion timelines and budgets (automation scope)
• Technician competency development levels

Skills, Experience & Education

Education

• BSc Engineering (Electronics) or BTech Electrical Engineering (Light Current), S4 Technical Diploma for Control and Automation.
• Certification in Industrial Automation, Process Instrumentation, or Control Systems preferred

Experience

• At least 8 years’ experience in process control or automation within a manufacturing environment (FMCG or beverage industry advantageous)
• At least 2 years in a leadership role managing technical teams
• Proven experience with PLCs, SCADA systems, and field instrumentation
• Experience with systems integration, network protocols, and MES solutions

Skills

• Advanced PLC Programming & Troubleshooting – Extensive experience with PLC hardware, software, and integration.
• SCADA/HMI Systems Expertise – Proficient in Wonderware ArchestrA, Intouch, and alarm management.
• Industrial Instrumentation & Signal Processing – Specialized in calibration, configuration, maintenance, and instrumentation protocols.
• Industrial Networking & Infrastructure – Strong knowledge of network configuration, industrial Ethernet, and cybersecurity principles.
• Control Systems Integration – Proven ability to unify disparate control and information systems across platforms.
• Manufacturing Process & Systems Understanding – Deep knowledge of manufacturing applications and operational processes.
• Data Analytics & Root Cause Analysis – Skilled in using analytics tools for process optimization and problem-solving.
• CMMS & Technical Documentation – Experienced with computerized maintenance systems and compliance documentation standards.
• Change Implementation & Digital Transformation – Expertise in planning and sustaining systematic operational changes.
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership – Effective in leading teams through continuous improvement and project initiatives.