Operational Technology Manager – North Queensland (Ingham, Ayr or Townsville Regions)

Operational Technology Manager –

North Queensland (Ingham, Ayr or Townsville Regions)

About Us

Wilmar Sugar Australia is part of Wilmar International, a leading global agribusiness with around 100,000 employees working across more than 30 countries and regions.

Across Australia and New Zealand, we operate two major business units, Sugar & Renewables and Sweeteners, employing 2,400+ people during peak/ seasonal operations with corporate offices in Melbourne, Brisbane, Townsville and Auckland.

As Australia’s largest raw sugar manufacturer and a top 10 global producer, Wilmar Sugar & Renewables runs eight sugar mills across North Queensland. We are also one of the nation’s largest generators of renewable electricity from biomass, a major producer of bioethanol, the largest sugarcane grower, and a key supplier of sustainable fertiliser and stockfeed.

About the role

(Internally, this role is - Group Manager Production Systems)

• Lead a specialist team responsible for the Operational Technology systems that underpin the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of our manufacturing facilities.
• Oversee critical OT infrastructure including SCADA, PLC and control systems, industrial networks, production reporting applications, and OT cybersecurity controls and risk management.
• You will drive system performance and lifecycle management, support 24/7 crushing-season production-critical operations, deliver technology upgrades, and deliver the OT components of capital projects that enhance reliability, efficiency, and business outcomes across multiple sites. Hands-on technical involvement in troubleshooting, systems integration, testing and commissioning may be required.

Role Responsibilities:

• This role is responsible for leading and developing a geographically dispersed team of OT specialists while providing technical and strategic leadership across multiple production sites.
• Ensuring the reliability and performance of production-critical systems, driving OT standards and governance, strengthening cybersecurity and risk management, and delivering technology roadmaps and lifecycle programs.
• Focuses on improving operational performance through innovation and digitalisation, delivering value-driven OT projects, and managing budgets, investment planning, and business cases for critical technology upgrades.

About You

This opportunity would suit an experienced Operational Technology (OT) leader currently working as an OT Manager, Automation Manager, Control Systems Manager, SCADA Manager, or a Senior Control Systems Engineer ready to step into a leadership role. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in industrial automation and control systems, including SCADA, PLC, DCS, and plant control environments, along with strong knowledge of industrial networks, system architecture, stakeholder engagement, and project delivery. Experience in industries such as sugar milling, mining, manufacturing, energy, utilities, food processing, or other heavy industries will be highly regarded, as will exposure to OT cybersecurity, multi-site operations, and qualifications in Engineering, Automation, Electrical, Mechatronics, or Technology.

Recruitment Process

Applications are assessed independently and on their individual merits against the requirements of the advertised role.

As part of our recruitment process, shortlisted candidates may be required to –

• Complete interviews, assessments, reference checks and verification of qualifications, licences and work rights.
• Successful candidates will be required to satisfactorily complete any role-specific pre-employment checks, which may include a pre-employment medical assessment (including drug and alcohol screening).
• A National Police Check and other compliance requirements.

Due to the volume of applications received, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the job ads expiry, please consider your application unsuccessful.

We encourage you to apply for future opportunities with Wilmar that align with your skills and experience.

Wilmar Sugar & Renewables is an Equal Opportunity Employer.