Manager, Operations Technology

Van Drunen Farms And Futureceuticals Ot Manager

The Van Drunen Family of Companies is growing! What's growing at Van Drunen Farms and Futureceuticals? WE ARE! As a global, growing, and vibrant ingredient and nutritional supplement supplier to the world's best companies, Van Drunen Farms and Futureceuticals are always seeking positive and talented employees to help our company reach the next level. We are a family-oriented company and provide opportunities to grow professionally and personally.

Job Overview

As OT Manager, you will hold a key position within our highly creative and influential Engineering leadership team. This team is responsible for innovation, design, implementation, and improvement initiatives across our multi-plant network. This role manages the implementation and administration of all Operations Technology (OT) systems and equipment in accordance with organizational policies and goals.

Duties And Responsibilities

Oversees the analysis of manufacturing needs and selects OT hardware and software products to support internal manufacturing processes.

Develops detailed documentation of methodologies, processes, and specifications of an organization's OT systems and assists with the planning of the organization's OT roadmap.

Manages the OT strategy and roadmap to ensure computer equipment, hardware, and software operate in alignment with organizational needs and standards.

Collaborates with IT to plan and implement an organization's network infrastructure and monitors network performance.

Researches, plans, specifies, and designs machine controls, data collection, and process control hardware and firmware to support Food processing and Pilot plant activities.

Leads the adoption and implementation of new technologies such as robotics or automation to reduce costs, improve overall efficiency, and expand manufacturing capabilities.

Develops technical designs, FRDs (functional requirements documents), process diagrams, SCADA configuration, and control schematics to implement automation controls.

Works closely with site operations and Process Innovation teams to identify and document testable design requirements.

Oversees PLC and HMI design and programming, develops and standardizes machine controls systems, SCADA, software modules, electrical and internet systems interfaces.

Works closely and in conjunction with any contract Instrument or Integration engineers to develop efficient project integrations.

Participates in periodic project reviews to keep projects on track and provides reports to managers.

Demonstrates behavior consistent with the VDF / FC Core Values.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Experience

5 years in electrical engineering, automation, or instrumentation / control fields in a manufacturing environment. Supervisory experience preferred.

Knowledge & Skills

Fundamental understanding in Continuous Improvement principles

Ability to learn, unlearn, and relearn

An excellent communicator with well-developed presentation skills

Problem analysis and problem-solving abilities at both a strategic and practical level

Ability to engage a cross-functional team towards a desired outcome

Demonstrates confident leadership and a proven ability to drive and implement process and organizational change

Ability to organize and plan the efficient and productive use of time and people

Education

A bachelor's degree in engineering, process management, or other related field.

Physical Requirements

Sit and use a computer for a long period of time.

Several hours per day of sitting, getting up and down from chairs, and reaching, bending, or carrying light loads.

Manual and physical dexterity to operate a computer keyboard and handle paper documents.

Manual dexterity with normal hand and finger movements for typical office work.

Sufficient near vision acuity to read information on computer display screens, hand-written forms, and printed on paper.

Specific vision requirements include the ability to see at close range, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Adequate hearing and verbal abilities to communicate effectively in person and by telephone.

Regularly stand; sit; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

Occasionally lifts, carries, positions, or moves objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

Ability to walk up and down stairs and ramps.

Ability to climb ladders.

Use of personal protective equipment including respirators, hearing protection, eye protection, and head protection.

Working Conditions

Indoor office environment, may on occasion be exposed to loud sounds and distracting noise levels, such as from office equipment.

Requires time to be spent in a production environment and utilizes testing equipment and processes around our manufacturing equipment. We operate under good manufacturing practices which require wearing safety glasses and closed-toe shoes.

May be exposed to moving mechanical parts.

Must be able to work in a dusty, cold, hot, humid, wet, loud, or outdoor work environment.

Occasionally exposed to high, precarious places, extreme cold, and extreme heat.

Working environment could range between frozen and ambient temperatures.

Disclaimer : The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and technical skills required of personnel so classified.

Expected Pay Range : $115k-$140k, salary exempt (Salary is based on experience and will be offered at the appropriate level)

Benefits Eligible : Yes

Benefits Available : benefits-summary-2025.pdf

In the Van Drunen Family of Companies, commitment to excellence is in everything we do! As a global ingredient and nutritional supplement supplier to the world's best companies, we thrive on nourishing others with our products and our care for people. If you are looking to make an impact and grow with a family-friendly, values-driven company, you'll fit right in with the Van Drunen Family of Companies!

Our employees are the most valuable asset we have. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, creativity, innovation, unique capabilities, and talent that our employees invest in their work represents a significant part of not only our culture, but our Company's achievement as well.

The Van Drunen Family of Companies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.