Control System Specialist

Overview

At PepsiCo, you’ll discover a place where our mission is to create smiles around the world. With a portfolio of more than 500 beloved brands including, Gatorade, Lay’s and Quaker, our work touches millions of people every day. At the heart of the company is a team of thinkers, creators, and problem-solvers who collaborate to innovate and turn ideas into action. Driven by innovation and a focus on creating joyful moments through food and drinks, our decisions are guided by consumer centricity, creating opportunities for our associates to do meaningful work and make a lasting impact in the communities we serve. Whatever your role, you’ll be part of a global community that values your ideas and empowers you to make an impact, on your career and on the world around you.

You will be leading the site requirements and procedures to maintain and develop the site’s SCADA, PLC and advanced control systems and infrastructures. You will be driving initiatives in improving the plant control systems and provide technical leadership for the Site technician group, ensuring all documentation, back up and emergency procedures are in place and regularly updated in line with Global CSS requirements. Managing control system integrators through capital projects design, build and execute phases to ensure that any projects are implemented in line with the Pepsico Standards.

Responsibilities

• Managing the site-based control system infrastructure and asset base to global PepsiCo controls standards.

• Understanding and adhering to the PepsiCo OT Cyber Security Playbook to maintaining required cybersecurity standards.

• Developing the technical requirements of the shift technician population to maintaining 24/7 production.

• Maintaining the site PLC and SCADA systems to ensuring availability, data integrity, and compliance with business standards and audits.

• Maintaining all network drawings and ensuring they are up to date.

• Ensuring system backups, recovery procedures, and risk assessments are in place and up to date, with plans to mitigating infrastructure risks.

• Managing and implementing support contracts, system upgrades, and software changes to maintaining system performance and delivering business requirements.

• Developing project-related URS technical documentation for CAPEX projects requiring CSS interfaces.

• Managing the delivery of control system projects through appointed system integrators.

• Leading SAT and FAT activities on control system upgrades and new equipment.

• Identifying opportunities for improving control and production information, and generating action plans.

• Managing PLC and system obsolescence risks and contributing to the annual obsolescence programme.

• Managing hardware programmes to ensuring spare parts availability and coverage of critical assets.

• Developing, managing, and delivering the site software budget, including licensing requirements.

• Supporting frontline teams on technical breakdowns.

• Acting as the point of contact for site-based IT support (i.e., Wi-Fi upgrades, etc.).

• Improving capability of engineering team leaders and shift technicians on control systems.

Qualifications

• Fully authorized and knowledgeable on electrical equipment and systems through qualifications and experience.

• Fundamental knowledge of electrical systems through qualifications and/or experience.

• Excellent fault-finding and problem-solving skills.

• At least 3 years’ experience in programming PLCs and microprocessor-based control equipment for major projects.

• Good working knowledge of SCADA systems, PC programmes, and networks.

• Good knowledge of Wonderware systems and Safety PLC systems and applications.

• Skills in high-level language programming.

• Understanding process and packaging technology.

• Able to training Control System Specialists and Shift Technicians in fault analysis, root cause analysis, and system recovery.

• Leading activities to improving asset reliability.

• Using CMMS systems, with experience in SAP preferred.

Why Join Us?

We offer a competitive salary, bonus, flexible working, and a wide range of benefits—from critical illness cover and discounted gym memberships to enhanced parental leave and electric car schemes. Our commitment to wellbeing and career growth makes us a Top Employer for 14 years running.

Equal Opportunities

We’re an equal opportunity employer, committed to the Equality Act 2010. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and will provide any necessary adjustments to support you through the recruitment process.

About PepsiCo

PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated nearly $92 billion in net revenue in 2024, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay’s, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo’s product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales. Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with pep+ (PepsiCo Positive). pep+ is our strategic end-to-end transformation that puts sustainability and human capital at the centre of how we will create value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change for planet and people. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com, and follow on X (Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @PepsiCo.