At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Controls & Automation team in a dynamic bottling operation.
- Company: Join Pernod Ricard, a global leader in spirits and champagne.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonuses, private medical insurance, and generous holidays.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse, inclusive culture that values your unique contributions.
- Why this job: Make an impact in a sustainable business with iconic brands.
- Qualifications: Degree in relevant technical field and experience in automation or controls.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
Location: Kilmalid, Dumbarton - this role will be mostly site based with some flexibility for remote working around business needs.
Contract Type: Permanent
Pernod Ricard is a worldwide leader in the spirits and champagne industry, blending traditional craftsmanship, state-of-the-art brand development, and global distribution technologies. Our mission is to ensure the long-term growth of our brands with full respect for people and the environment, while empowering our employees around the world to be ambassadors of our purposeful, inclusive, and responsible culture of authentic conviviality.
Chivas Brothers is the Pernod Ricard business dedicated entirely to Scotch whisky. Our award-winning portfolio features some of the world's most revered single malt and blended Scotch whisky brands, including Chivas, Ballantine's, Royal Salute, The Glenlivet and Aberlour, which are exported from Scotland to over 100 countries worldwide.
About the role:
We are currently hiring a Controls & Automation Lead to be responsible for site-wide leadership for controls, automation, software systems and Operational Technology (OT) across a complex multi-factory bottling operation. The role is responsible for the support and development of a technical team, ensuring the safe, reliable and compliant operation of manufacturing control systems, OT infrastructure, software platforms and digital manufacturing solutions.
What you will do:
- Leadership of the Controls & Automation team.
- Site-wide automation and OT technical governance.
- Site control system standards, compliance, change control and lifecycle management.
- Manufacturing software and systems strategy.
- OT cybersecurity and resilience.
- Local capital project technical support and guidance.
- Automation and systems support to operational performance.
- Building effective partnerships with vendors, contractors and system integrators.
- Supporting capability development across automation, software, systems and digital manufacturing.
Your skills and background:
- Degree in Electrical, Electronic, Automation, Control Systems, Software Engineering, Computer Science or equivalent technical discipline.
- Relevant experience in a manufacturing, FMCG, beverage, food, pharmaceutical or similarly complex operational environment.
- Proven experience leading controls, automation, software or OT technical teams.
- Strong experience with PLC, SCADA, HMI and industrial control systems.
- Understanding of manufacturing software platforms, databases, dashboards, servers, data communications and industrial networks.
- Experience delivering CAPEX and continuous improvement projects from concept through commissioning and handover.
- Experience managing contractors, OEMs, system integrators and software vendors.
- Strong understanding of OT cybersecurity, system lifecycle management and change control.
- Ability to prioritise technical resources across operational support and strategic projects.
- Strong stakeholder management, communication and problem-solving capability.
Why join us?
- Collective Spirit: You will be part of a connected, international community shaped by iconic brands, a performance mindset, and a proud legacy, where collaboration, fun and ambition coexist.
- Craft your path: We empower you to own your career, innovate boldly and grow alongside our business, surrounded by leaders who value curiosity, energy, and impact.
- Cultivate the future: You'll help shape a business with a soul — one that cherishes the land, respects communities, and brings good times from a good place, responsibly and sustainably.
People are at the heart of everything we do at Pernod Ricard and are the foundation of our collective spirit as 'Créateurs de Convivialité'. We promote inclusion throughout our business and supply chain. In our teams, we proactively foster a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture, an environment where we can truly be ourselves.
We will assess your application for this role based on your skills, experiences, and achievements, not your gender, age, ethnic or educational background or any other such factors. Our recruiting team are more than happy to provide reasonable adjustments during our application and interview process, in order for you to participate fully in our recruitment experience.
Our mix of benefits:
- Competitive salary, along with performance related bonus.
- Defined Contribution Pension.
- Private medical insurance, including income protection.
- Comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme.
- Generous annual holiday entitlement (increasing with length of service) plus public holidays.
- Pernod Ricard share incentive plan and share ownership plan.
- Life Assurance.
- An allowance each year to spend on our brands.
- Our reward & recognition scheme.
- Employee discounts from a range of high street retailers.
- Regular events in our very own office bar.
Learn more about working with Pernod Ricard. Internal applications - please apply via Workday only. Applications sent by any other way will not be accepted.
Closing Date for Applications: 03rd September 2026
Job Posting End Date: 2026-09-04
Target Hire Date: 2026-10-31
Target End Date:
Summary Location: Dumbarton Type: Full time
Control & Automation Lead in Dumbarton employer: Pernod Ricard
Pernod Ricard UK is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that values collaboration and innovation. With a strong focus on employee growth, the company provides numerous opportunities for professional development while ensuring a supportive environment where every team member can thrive. Located in London, employees benefit from a dynamic city atmosphere, alongside competitive benefits and a commitment to health and safety in all operations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Control & Automation Lead in Dumbarton
✨Get Involved in Local Automation Meetups
We can’t stress this enough – getting your face out there in the automation and control systems community can really set you apart. Look for local meetups or workshops where you can chat with industry professionals, learn about what’s trending, and even discover hidden job gems. Who knows, you might meet someone from a company like Pernod Ricard!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Make sure you have a portfolio of your work ready to roll. Whether it’s academic projects, internships or personal experiments, showcase how you’ve tackled automation challenges. When you apply for the Control & Automation Lead position at Pernod Ricard, linking your portfolio gives your application that extra oomph and demonstrates your practical knowledge.
✨Leverage Your Uni Career Services
If you’re fresh out of uni, don’t forget about your career services! Many universities have established connections with companies in the automation field. They may know when Pernod Ricard is looking for fresh talent or even have internships that lead to full-time positions. So, hit them up!
✨Keep an Eye on Industry Certifications
While hunting for roles, consider getting certified in relevant automation technologies. It shows dedication and gives you a leg up in the job market. Plus, many organisations offer job boards or networking events to certified professionals. This might just lead you to that coveted Control & Automation Lead role at Pernod Ricard!
We think you need these skills to ace Control & Automation Lead in Dumbarton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for an automation-control-systems role, it’s crucial to highlight your technical skills. Whether it's your proficiency in programming languages like Python or understanding control systems, make sure your CV showcases these prominently. Don't forget to mention any specific software or tools you're experienced with – that’s music to the ears of hiring managers!
Tailor Your Projects to Automation:If you've worked on any relevant projects, especially those involving automation or control systems, make them stand out in your CV. Use a dedicated section to highlight these projects, explaining your role and the impact of your contributions. This could be the difference between getting noticed and getting overlooked!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tell us why you’re passionate about automation-control-systems! Discuss specific experiences that sparked your interest in this field. Maybe it's a university project or a previous job that truly got you hooked. We love seeing that spark! Make sure to reference how you can contribute to Pernod Ricard and its goals.
Quantify Your Achievements:In the world of automation, results matter. When listing your experiences, quantify your achievements wherever possible. Did you improve system efficiency by a percentage? Did you reduce downtime? Putting numbers to your successes not only demonstrates your impact but also lets us see the tangible outcomes of your efforts. It makes your application pop!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pernod Ricard
✨Master Your Technical Knowledge
In the automation control systems field, you need to brush up on your technical know-how. Be prepared to talk about specific control systems you’ve worked with, such as PLCs or SCADA systems, and expect technical questions or even hands-on problem-solving scenarios during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Whether it's freelance projects or your academic work, come ready to showcase your portfolio of automation projects. Bring along any diagrams, code samples, or automation solutions you’ve implemented—these can really set you apart and demonstrate your applied skills to Pernod Ricard.
✨Understand Industry Trends
Stay updated on the latest trends in automation technologies and methodologies, like Industry 4.0 or IIoT. We'll want to discuss how these concepts may affect the role and future projects at Pernod Ricard, so showing that you're knowledgeable about current and emerging technologies can give you an edge.
✨Commit to Continuous Learning
As this is a full-time role, it's essential to express your eagerness for continuous improvement and learning. Share how you plan to enhance your skills and keep pace with the evolution of automation in the workforce – companies love candidates who are committed to growth and adaptability.
