Operations Associate

Manufacturing Operations Technology Specialist Contract or Permanent
Hybrid role - Occasional onsite work in Hampshire
Function: To play a critical role in bridging the gap between information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) within the manufacturing facility.
Reports to: Manager, Operational Technology & Automation

The Manufacturing OT Specialist serves as the technical lead bridging Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) within the plant. This role focuses on the design, integration, and optimization of MES, SCADA, PLC, and related automation systems. The primary responsibility is to ensure that equipment, sensors, and software systems work seamlessly together to enable real-time visibility, data integrity, and efficient manufacturing operations.
This position plays a key role in digitalization, automation strategy, and capital project execution , rather than day-to-day frontline support.

Lead the design, integration, and continuous improvement of MES, SCADA, and PLC systems across the manufacturing environment.
Ensure the reliable flow of real-time data between equipment, controls, MES, SCADA, historians, and ERP.
Serve as the plant’s subject matter expert for IT/OT convergence, industrial networking, and data model alignment (ISA-95 or similar).

Digitalization & Automation Leadership
Drive plant digitalization initiatives, including automation upgrades, MES enhancements, sensor deployments, and data visibility tools.
Provide technical leadership for capital projects involving controls, MES upgrades, or new production technologies.
Evaluate new technologies and recommend adoption pathways for the plant’s automation roadmap.

Collaborate with system integrators and corporate engineering to implement new software platforms or system enhancements.

Provide engineering-level support for PLC logic review, HMI design updates, and control system design decisions.
Oversee modifications to control systems, ensuring safety, compliance, and engineering rigor.

Cybersecurity & Compliance
Ensure all OT systems follow cybersecurity policies, patching strategies, user access controls, and network segmentation.
Partner with IT security to safeguard plant control systems, including PLCs, SCADA servers, and MES infrastructure.
Maintain compliance with industry standards, regulatory requirements, and internal policies.

Serve as the technical liaison between maintenance, IT, corporate engineering, system integrators, and plant operations.
Provide engineering guidance—not routine troubleshooting—to ensure long-term stability of OT systems.
Provide targeted training to maintenance/operations teams when new technologies or processes are introduced.

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Automation, Industrial Technology, Computer Science, or related field.
~3–7 years of experience in manufacturing automation, OT systems, MES/SCADA engineering, or IT/OT integration.
~ Strong understanding of PLCs, HMIs, industrial networks, and communication protocols (OPC UA, MQTT, Modbus, Ethernet/IP).
~ Familiarity with control system design, industrial data models, and system architecture.


Experience with digital transformation initiatives in manufacturing environments.
Experience leading integrators, contractors, or cross-functional project teams.
Strong knowledge of SQL databases, scripting languages, and reporting/analytics tools.

The employee must carry out the role as described and raise any issues or concerns regarding, compliance, deadline achievable or content to their line manager


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