Food & Beverage Production
22 Jul
Manager, Digital & Tech – Plant & Automation
Location: Louvain-la-Neuve, BelgiumEmployment type: Permanent, full-timeTravel: Regular travel to Maastricht, approximately once per week
About Antal International
Antal International is a global executive recruitment and talent solutions company with more than 30 years of experience and a presence across over 35 countries. We specialise in recruiting professionals and leaders within the Chemical, Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Engineering, Digital Technology, and Industrial Manufacturing sectors.
On behalf of an international science-led manufacturing group, we are recruiting a Manager, Digital & Technology – Plant & Automation for its operations in Belgium.
About the Company
Our client is a global innovation-driven organisation operating across nutrition, health, and consumer-focused industries. The company combines advanced science, technology, and manufacturing capabilities to develop products and solutions used worldwide.
To support the digital transformation of its manufacturing operations, the company is strengthening its Plant and Automation organisation with an experienced professional capable of connecting operational requirements, industrial technologies, and global digital standards.
The Role
Reporting to the Senior Director, Digital Supply Chain & Manufacturing, you will act as the principal Digital & Technology partner for the manufacturing site.
You will ensure the reliability and continued development of critical IT/OT systems, while supporting automation, manufacturing execution, and smart factory initiatives.
This is a highly visible and cross-functional position requiring close collaboration with Plant Operations, Engineering, Digital & Technology, IT Security, Infrastructure, and global Plant & Automation teams.
The role combines operational support, IT/OT governance, factory project delivery, stakeholder management, and Industry 4.0 development.
Key Responsibilities
Act as the primary local Digital & Technology and Information Systems contact for plant-related matters involving regional, affiliate, and domain-level stakeholders.
Ensure the reliable operation and support of defined factory solutions in line with agreed service levels.
Maintain and update site knowledge-base documentation relating to factory systems and support procedures.
Support quarterly IT patching activities, SAP release weekends, and occasional out-of-hours escalations when required.
Support and manage the Digital & Technology and IT/OT factory project portfolios.
Identify, structure, and document business requirements in collaboration with plant stakeholders.
Prioritise digital and IT/OT demands according to operational needs and business objectives.
Collaborate with global Plant & Automation teams to develop, standardise, and deploy common technical solutions and services across manufacturing sites.
Maintain ITIL-based processes relating to IT/OT asset definition and management.
Ensure that site IT/OT asset inventories remain complete and up to date.
Contribute to the definition and enforcement of IT/OT architecture standards covering software and infrastructure.
Work closely with Engineering, IT Security, and Infrastructure teams to ensure reliable, secure, and compliant factory solutions.
Provide functional and technical expertise to support plant performance and business objectives.
Monitor emerging technologies and industry best practices and translate them into value-adding solutions for manufacturing operations.
Anticipate technical and operational issues and develop structured, pragmatic solutions.
Contribute as an innovation partner to Industry 4.0, smart factory, and other digital manufacturing initiatives.
Candidate Profile
Engineering degree in Automation, Industrial IT, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
At least five years of IT experience, including exposure to IT/OT support, operations, and factory-related project work.
Demonstrated experience within an industrial manufacturing environment.
Practical understanding of factory OT systems, ideally within a process or batch manufacturing industry.
Experience delivering or contributing to several IT/OT factory projects requiring a sound technical understanding.
Knowledge of Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), Distributed Control Systems (DCS), warehousing systems, or related manufacturing technologies would be advantageous.
Understanding of IT service management principles and IT/OT asset management.
Ability to work independently, organise priorities, and take ownership in a fast-paced industrial environment.
Strong adaptability, problem-solving ability, and stakeholder communication skills.
Capacity to work effectively with both plant-based operational teams and global technology functions.
Motivation to develop within the organisation and progressively assume broader or more complex responsibilities.
Good professional English is required
French is preferred but is not stated as mandatory.
Availability to travel to Maastricht approximately once per week.
What Company Offers
A strategic position at the intersection of manufacturing, automation, IT, and operational technology.
The opportunity to influence the digital transformation of an international industrial organisation.
Exposure to IT/OT architecture, smart manufacturing, and Industry 4.0 initiatives.
Close collaboration with local plant stakeholders and global Digital & Technology teams.
A visible role with the potential to grow into broader and more complex responsibilities.
An international working environment focused on innovation, operational performance, and long-term development.