Manager, Process Automation

Join Corby Spirit and Wine Limited and Hiram Walker & Sons Ltd.,: Where Moments Matter

At Corby and Hiram Walker, we’re more than a company - we’re curators of unforgettable moments. Our portfolio boasts some of Canada’s most iconic and award-winning brands, including J.P. Wiser’s, Lot No. 40, Pike Creek, and Gooderham & Worts Canadian whiskies, Polar Ice vodka, Lamb’s rum, Ungava gin, McGuinness and Cabot Trail liqueurs, Ace Beverage Group’s Cottage Springs, Cabana Coast, Liberty Village, and Good Vines, and Foreign Affair wines. But that’s just the beginning.

Through its affiliation with Pernod Ricard, Corby represents leading international brands such as ABSOLUT® Vodka, Jameson® Irish Whiskey, Malibu®, Kahlúa® Liqueur, The Glenlivet®, Beefeater and Malfy Gins, a leading portfolio of American whiskey brands including Jefferson’s, Rabbit Hole, and Skrewball™ whiskey., and Perrier-Jouët and Mumm champagnes, – making our portfolio the most comprehensive in the market.

Why Choose Us?

Igniting Conviviality: Derived from the French word “convivialité,” our ethos centres on human connection, authenticity, and friendliness. We create moments that matter, starting with how we work together.

Progressive Opportunities: Fuel your ambition with outstanding career prospects and rewards. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your journey, we’re invested in your growth.

Guided by our 4 core values: (1) grounded in the real; (2) fiercely authentic; (3) passion for challenge; and (4) connected beyond borders; we are team players, dream makers, trailblazers, movers and (cocktail) shakers. We have a passion for living life to the fullest, making new friends every day, and realizing our potential as people and as a business!

The salary range for this role is $104,900.00 to $131,100.00. Base salaries are determined during our interview process, by assessing a candidate’s experience, skills against internal peers and against the scope and responsibilities of the position.

Position Summary

This role leads continuous improvement initiatives, new programs, and CAPEX projects within Walkerville Operations. It supports day-to-day operational decision-making across production departments and partners with Operations and Automation teams to resolve bottlenecks and deliver multidisciplinary projects. The role ensures automation systems remain reliable, supported, and up to date while staying current with emerging technologies and process improvements. It is accountable for maintaining high standards in Health & Safety, Quality, Environmental compliance, and operational productivity.

Major Responsibilities / Accountabilities

• Ensure full compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA Sections 25–28) in accordance with Hiram Walker & Sons Ltd. policies, including management, supervisory, and worker safety responsibilities.
• Present, organize, delegate, and deliver training in support of implemented operational programs.
• Maintain and continuously improve Process Control Systems, including PLC programming and Operator Interface (HMI) enhancements.
• Provide hands-on support to daily production activities, assisting operations and maintenance teams while enabling supervisory effectiveness.
• Lead and support capital project execution, ensuring delivery on time and within budget.
• Ensure all new equipment and installations comply with applicable Canadian standards and regulations.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement by proactively identifying production issues and promoting accountability and problem resolution at all levels.
• Manage capital projects ranging from $10,000 to $3,000,000 CAD (Level B responsibility).
• Maintain regular internal collaboration with Operations, Maintenance/Trades, and IT/OT Engineering teams.
• Engage externally with vendors, contractors, and OEMs to support project and operational requirements.
• Ensure high availability and reliability of PLC systems supporting 24/7 operations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong project management capabilities.
• Experience with powerhouse systems (switchgear, boilers, turbine controls), batching systems (FactoryTalk Batch), and distillation/fermentation processes (Rockwell PlantPAx).
• Knowledge of hazardous location control system design (explosion-proof and intrinsically safe systems).
• Proficiency in AutoCAD Electrical for drawing updates and documentation control.
• Control systems engineering experience including PLCs, VFDs, instrumentation, PID control, P&ID interpretation, and control valves.
• Experience with industrial automation platforms (ABB, Rockwell).
• IT/OT infrastructure knowledge including Cisco networking, VMware, Microsoft Server environments, ThinManager, Active Directory, cybersecurity, and antivirus systems.
• Industrial data and information systems experience (SQL Server, Reporting Services, OSIsoft/AVEVA PI Historian, VantagePoint, Energy metering systems, Transaction Manager).
• Strong understanding of industrial instrumentation (Allen-Bradley, Endress+Hauser, ABB, Fisher, Rosemount).
• Solid understanding of Health & Safety regulations and Electrical Safety Code requirements.
• Strong strategic thinking ability with a focus on innovation, execution, and customer/service orientation.
• Proven troubleshooting skills for control systems and ability to lead root cause analysis (RCA) activities.
• Demonstrated leadership ability with experience building, mentoring, and developing teams.
• Experience managing contractors, developing scopes of work, preparing RFQs/RFPs, and ensuring cost effective execution.
• Ability to provide frontline operational support to resolve equipment and process issues efficiently.
• Commitment to staying current with industry trends and emerging technologies.
• Ability to collaborate with corporate IT to implement secure plant-floor connectivity solutions.
• Capability to develop reporting tools and dashboards to support compliance and management decision-making.

Education

• College diploma in Process Automation Technology, or
• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, Chemical, or Automation Engineering

Experience / Background

• Minimum 10+ years of experience in an automated manufacturing or production environment, including responsibility for production systems, processes, and personnel.
• Strong experience working across multiple production departments with consistent stakeholder communication and coordination.

Financial Responsibility

• Greatly influences goals but does not have final authority. Manages and deploys resources to meet the goals.

Job Posting End Date:

Target Hire Date:

When you join Corby and Hiram Walker, you’ll experience a workplace that is rich in heritage, driven by our iconic brands and a long-standing commitment to sustainability, safety, and giving back to the people and communities where we work. We know that happiness at work starts with that feeling of belonging you get from an inclusive culture where being uniquely you is celebrated. Our values are lived, they drive our behaviors, and it’s what brings our culture to life. Learn about our rich heritage by clicking HERE for Corby and HERE for Hiram Walker.

Our work philosophy celebrates the magic of human connection with the flexibility needed to provide one's most meaningful contribution. We offer a flexible work policy, with most of our positions offering a a hybrid option with flexibility to work remotely 2 days a week. As a global employer, we understand that not everyone’s working hours are the same, and we empower our employees to work the hours that make the most sense for them and their team’s schedules.

We offer employees great benefits and perks to toast to a life filled with support. Check out PRCanadaBenefits.com for details.

At Corby and Hiram Walker, we’re committed to fostering a workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals.

We will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. To request reasonable accommodation during the any phase of the recruitment process or want to review our accommodation policies, please reach out to our Human Resources Department at [email protected].

This posting is for a vacant role. This recruitment process uses artificial intelligence (AI) tools to match applicant skills with role requirements and qualifications.

Join us in creating a vibrant, inclusive workplace where everyone’s voice matters. Apply today!