Automation Project Manager

fairlife, LLC is a Chicago-based nutrition company that creates great-tasting, nutrition-rich and dairy products to nourish consumers.

With over $3B in annual retail sales, fairlife’s portfolio of delicious, lactose-free, real dairy products includes: fairlife® ultra-filtered milk; Core Power® High Protein Shakes, a sports nutrition drink to support post-workout recovery; fairlife® nutrition plan™, a nutrition shake to support the journey to better health.

A wholly owned subsidiary of The Coca-Cola company, fairlife, LLC has been recognized by both Fast Company and Nielsen for its industry leading innovation.

To learn more about fairlife and its complete line of products, please visit fairlife.com.

job purpose: The Automation Project Manager will be responsible for leading automation and controls execution for major expansion and greenfield projects. This role is responsible for the design, integration, commissioning, and operational handover of PLC and SCADA systems supporting processing, packaging, CIP, utilities, and aseptic systems. The position is critical to achieving first-pass regulatory approval, sterility assurance, and stable commercial production. 

responsibilities:  

• Manage automation scope, schedule, and budget coordinating with OEMs, system integrators, EPC partners, and operations for packaging and utilities  

• Review and approve control philosophies, functional specs, network designs, and visualizations to manage and resolve integration challenges across equipment packages to create integrated solutions primarily focused on packaging and utilities 

• Own SCADA architecture, deployment, and configuration, ensuring high availability, redundancy, and disaster recovery and support integration of SCADA systems with PLCs, historians, MES, and enterprise systems aligned with ISA concepts 

• Define tag structures, alarming, historization, and security models 

• Lead automation activities during project execution through production startup including development and execution of detailed automation commissioning and startup plans 

• Coordinate FAT/SAT, IO checkout, loop testing, and integrated system testing including dry runs, media runs, wet runs, and first commercial production 

• Lead troubleshooting during startup and early-life operations 

• Ensure electronic records meet data integrity and regulatory standards (21 CFR Part 11–aligned where applicable), supporting regulatory inspections, audits, and startup readiness reviews 

• Ensure complete as-built documentation, backups, and cybersecurity controls are developed and lead transition of systems from project to operations ownership 

skills/qualifications required:  

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or IT (Electrical, Controls, Automation, Software, or related field) is required  

• 5+ years of industrial automation experience, facility startup experience strongly preferred  

• Experience integrating complex OEM equipment into a unified control system 

• Strong proficiency with MES, historians, SCADA, and PLCs required. Ignition SCADA, Allen Bradley Controls, and Canary Historian preferred 

• Must be highly organized and able to prioritize, manage time well, multitask and troubleshoot 

• Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills  

• Ability to handle ambiguity and work in a fast paced, entrepreneurial environment 

• Prior experience in manufacturing environment is required, direct experience with food or beverage and aseptic manufacturing is preferred  
   

working conditions and physical requirements: 

• Factory floor as needed 

• Extended hours during various project phases  

• On-site presence required during various project phases if not located at project site 

• Travel to other plant, vendor and integrator sites as needed 

food safety requirements:  

• Notify supervision of any repairs or adjustments that are required that may affect product quality or food safety. 

• Understand, observe, and comply with the handling and usage of the color-coded container policy while in the Production Areas. 

• Perform all duties necessary to meet Company, Customer and/or Government requirements/standards as prioritized by the Company. 

• Ability to initiate action to prevent the occurrence of nonconformities relating to Food Safety and the Quality of the product, processes, quality system, or safety system. 

• Identify and record any problems relating to Food Safety and the Quality of the ingredients, processes, quality system, or safety system. 

• Control further processing or delivery of nonconforming product in terms of Food Safety and Quality issues until the deficiency or unsatisfactory condition has been corrected. 

• In the event of absence, another employee with the same skill level will assume the duties and responsibilities as required. 

position location: Coopersville, MI; Webster, NY; Chicago, IL 

reports to: Sr. Project Manager, Systems Integration  

travel requirements: 25-80% dependent on applicant’s location 

#LI-Hybrid #LI-BB1

fairlife, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. All qualified applicants and employees will be given equal opportunity. Selection decisions are based on job-related factors.

In addition to its nondiscrimination commitment, the Company will also provide reasonable accommodation of qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the Company. If you have a disability and would like to request accommodation in order to apply for a position with us, please email [email protected].

For Recruitment Agencies

At fairlife, we manage the majority of our hiring internally through our dedicated Talent Acquisition team, which is actively engaged in direct candidate sourcing. Most of our roles are filled through applications submitted via our careers site or through direct outreach by our team.