Automation Team Lead

Join Riverside Natural Foods Ltd., a Canadian-based, family-owned, and globally operating business, committed to leaving the world better than we found it. As a B-Corp certified, Triple-Bottom Line company, we proudly manufacture nutritious, 'better-for-you' snacks such as MadeGood and GOOD TO GO. We value teamwork, humility, respect, ownership, adaptability, grit, and fun.We’re on an ambitious mission to double our business by 2030, and we need talented individuals like you to help us reach new heights. At Riverside, you’ll have the opportunity to chart your own path to success while contributing to ours. We believe anything worth doing is worth doing right, and our values will guide us through the rugged terrain – and yes, it will get rough. But that’s what makes the journey worthwhile.So, lace up your boots and let’s tackle the climb together.You can learn more about us at Summary/Objective:
The automation team lead will be responsible for strategic planning, decision-making, and supervising the maintenance and troubleshooting of automated systems to ensure their proper operation and availability. This role involves leading and supervising a team of automation technicians and contractors, assigning tasks, overseeing their work, and providing guidance. The Automation Team Lead will participate in process improvements, support the integration of new machines with existing systems, and lead the automation aspects of CI projects.Primary Responsibilities:
Demonstrate and uphold Riverside Natural Food’s Core Values.Understand and lead compliance with both Health and Safety and Food Safety practices.Unplanned Maintenance
Supervise and manage breakdown call for all Riverside Natural Foods facilities, elevate to outside resources if necessary.Ensure team members or contractors work in accordance with established maintenance processes and practices including but not limited to recording work done, recording data for analysis, logging spare parts consumed, cleaning up work area, etc.
Planned Maintenance
Develop and manage instrumentation calibration programme including scale, temperature probe, flow meter calibration, etc. Maintain documentation as per BRC standardDevelop and manage preventive maintenance programme for all electrical panels including thermal scanning, programme back up, inspection, etc.Negotiate and update contracts with different service providers ensuring high standard of service at optimum cost.Conduct meeting with site leader to discuss open issues, progress and align on priority and timeline for planned work.
Project Management
Lead and manage automation related projects, ensuring all modifications and updates on all automation-related programs, parameters, drawing and devices are documented properly and that projects are completed on time and within budget.Participate in Root Cause Analysis (RCA) on complicated and/or recurring automation failure modes. This will include reaching out to a 3rd party, performing risk analysis, evaluating potential causes, and assessing data.Assign resources to support CAPEX or CI project as needed including the implementation of the different SCADA initiatives, integration of the new machines to existing control networks and integration with upstream/downstream equipment, support IO testing and commissioning of new machines with focus on the Automation components.
Leadership
Conduct performance review, set team goals and ensure compliance with company policies and procedures.Develop skill matrix and training plan for automation technicians.Provide regular feedback, coaching and mentorship.Lead and manage change initiatives, ensuring buy in from team members and motivation.Foster a positive and collaborative work environment.
Other duties as assigned.Reporting Relationships
Reports to Maintenance DirectorKey Qualifications/Requirements
Completion of Control/Automation Engineering Technician program and certification or equivalent qualification.Certified Provincial Electricians Ticket (442A or 309D) preferred or working toward one.Minimum 5 years of experience in automation system, with at least 1 year in supervisory or leadership role.Possess in-depth knowledge and experience with PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, Motion Control Systems. Knowledge and experience working with Ignition SCADA is preferred.Proficiency in reading, analyzing, and interpreting electrical drawings, P&ID drawings, and control network drawings.Strong problem solving and critical thinking skills.Strong leadership skills in a technical environment, such as leading cross functional team to deliver automation project on time and within budget.Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to interact with plant floor employees and collaborate with cross functional stakeholders.Experience with change management processes and methodologies, with a proven track record of successfully managing change initiatives in a technical environment.Time management and organizational skills. Ability to prioritize tasks and hold team members accountable to deliverable on agreed deadlines.Core Values
TEAM PLAYER
with a positive attitude.Exceptional time management and organizational skills, self-starter with a high level of initiative andProven desire to learn takes
OWNERSHIP, and a
PASSION
for technical fields.Demonstrates
HUMILITY
throughout the company on a day-to-day basis.Aptitude to exhibit,
RESPECT,
and protect Riverside’s Core Values in a changing environment.Keeps the work atmosphere
FUN
by keeping it light and welcoming.Ability and willingness to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as requiredPlease note this role is an
existing
vacancy.Salary Range$85,000 – $100,000 CADAt Riverside, we are committed to transparency and fairness in our compensation and job posting practices. The range above reflects the target compensation for the position at the time of posting. Exact compensation will be determined based on experience, skill set, education, and training, as well as other organizational needs, while balancing internal equity.What we expect:
Values-led:
You’ll be a member of a thoughtful and compassionate team that prioritizes respect, teamwork and resourcefulness along with a good dash of fun. Sometimes, even making granola bars is hard, and life’s too short to take ourselves so seriously that we don’t enjoy the journey.Unparalleled experiences and opportunities : We’re still determining who we are and what we can be. Help us shape what this organization will look like and what we’ll offer the world, into the future. This means rolling up your sleeves and sometimes building the process – fast! – while employing it. At Riverside, progress occasionally means proceeding imperfectly, and we’re okay with that, as long as we’re staying true to our values and learning and improving along the way.Access to everyone:
We’re a flat organization with few silos which means you’ll have full access to everyone from our founders to our production staff. Even when employees dress up, they wear steel‑toed shoes. So don’t be shy. Speak up, share your ideas and go places you normally wouldn’t – like the plant, or the boardroom.Personal development : We’ll support and empower you to chart your own path and reach any heights you set for yourself. Career paths at Riverside are carved by the people walking on them, not dictated by leaders. Count on us to give you the training and tools to grow and progress.Gratitude : As a growing business, we can’t always offer formal recognition like awards programs, but we do show our true gratitude and appreciation. At Riverside, we’re all in this together and we value you.
Be a Riverside Brand Ambassador: Stay relentlessly close to our consumers and represent the brand in every interaction, decision, and deliverable. Bring the consumer voice into your work by protecting product quality, availability, and experience, acting early when standards slip, and delivering consistent value that earns trust, advocacy, and long‑term brand love.What We Offer:
Values-led:
We don’t cut corners or step on anyone or anything on our way to our summit. There is no winning at all costs here. Every step you take must align with our values, no compromises.Courageous determination:
As a family‑run, rapidly growing business, we are often challenged to find ways to deliver that aren’t obvious or easy. You must be willing to try, ask and answer challenging questions, test and learn, turn over every stone, keep moving forward and help us find a way through. Resourcefulness and grit will be your constant companions at Riverside and will serve you well.Humility:
We’re a small (but growing) fish in a sea of whales and sharks. We know the products we offer are some of the healthiest and most sustainable, but we don’t brag about it, and know we have a steep path ahead. We pride ourselves in being respectful and supportive of others while shining brightly through our innovative, high‑quality products. There isn’t one superstar at Riverside. We take turns leading the way as we climb to the summit.Continuous improvement:
As a learn‑as‑we‑go organization, we rely on each other to continuously improve everything we touch to make it better, more efficient, more sustainable, and more endearing to customers, consumers, employees, vendors, partners and the community. We own our mistakes and learn from them as we wind our way to the top.Wait! There’s more!
Immerse yourself in our comprehensive benefits program, with Riverside taking care of the costs!RRSP matching or 401k matching for an empowered financial journeyEligibility to participate in Riverside's Profit Sharing PlanJoin Employee‑Led Resource Groups (ERGs) championing mental health, sustainability, diversity, women, and LGBTQ+ rightsDevelop your career further through our Riverside University program and with our Tuition Reimbursement ProgramAn open concept work environment that embodies our ValuesRiverside Natural Foods Ltd. is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible environment for everyone. If you have a disability and require accommodation in the interview process, please let us know when you apply. We thank all applicants for their interest;
however, due to volume,please note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
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