Process Control Engineer

Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) is recruiting a Process Control Engineer to join its Midrand team. The position reports to the Engineering & Maintenance Manager and focuses on the reliability, optimisation and standardisation of control and automation systems used within manufacturing operations.

The role is suited to an experienced engineering or automation professional who can work across PLCs, SCADA/HMI, industrial instrumentation, manufacturing systems, networking and automation projects. The successful candidate will contribute to improving manufacturing performance while ensuring that control systems remain reliable, secure, standardised and aligned with operational requirements.

The position also carries a leadership and improvement component, requiring the ability to guide technical teams, manage automation projects and support decisions involving new and existing manufacturing technology.

Who Should Apply?

This opportunity is aimed at experienced process control and automation professionals with a strong manufacturing background.

You should consider applying if you have:

• A relevant engineering or technical qualification in electronics, electrical engineering, control and automation or a related field.
• At least 8 years of experience in process control or automation within manufacturing.
• At least 2 years of experience in a technical leadership role.
• Practical experience with PLCs, SCADA systems and field instrumentation.
• Experience with systems integration, industrial networking and manufacturing execution systems.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Experience leading technical projects, teams or continuous-improvement initiatives.

Experience in the FMCG or beverage manufacturing environment would be advantageous.

Control & Automation Standards

The Process Control Engineer will contribute to establishing consistent control and automation practices across manufacturing operations.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing C&A standards: Assess the existing control and automation environment and help establish appropriate standards, processes and procedures.
• Supporting system architecture: Help ensure control and automation architecture remains aligned with manufacturing systems and relevant IT standards.
• Standardisation: Develop reliable and repeatable approaches that support system stability and operational consistency.
• Knowledge sharing: Build a control and automation community that encourages technical knowledge transfer and skills development.
• Resource development: Contribute to plans that strengthen current and future technical capability.

Automation Performance & Projects

The role will also be responsible for supporting automation improvement and technology projects.

This includes:

• Facilitating and managing automation and control-system projects within agreed budgets and timelines.
• Managing technical resources, equipment and personnel to support business continuity.
• Developing technical justifications for capital investment requirements.
• Coaching and supporting technical employees and other roles involved in automation projects and operations.
• Managing change throughout pre-implementation, implementation and post-implementation stages.
• Supporting technology and policy decisions in consultation with relevant Centres of Excellence and technical stakeholders.
• Ensuring production-system hardware and software remain reliable and properly maintained.

Manufacturing Process Optimisation

The successful candidate will use technical analysis and problem-solving techniques to improve manufacturing performance.

Responsibilities include:

• Identifying opportunities to optimise process performance.
• Using statistical analysis and structured problem-solving techniques to investigate performance issues.
• Monitoring manufacturing processes from a control and automation perspective.
• Engaging relevant technical and functional specialists when deviations or technical problems occur.
• Ensuring proven solutions are effectively implemented across relevant operations where financially viable.
• Assessing the cost and potential value of proposed technology improvements.
• Defining system changes based on operational requirements and supplier capabilities.
• Assessing existing system utilisation and identifying opportunities to obtain greater value from current installations.
• Supporting the development of technician competency levels.

Qualifications

Applicants should have one of the following relevant qualifications:

• BSc Engineering (Electronics)
• BTech Electrical Engineering (Light Current)
• S4 Technical Diploma in Control and Automation

Certification in Industrial Automation, Process Instrumentation or Control Systems is preferred.

Experience

The advertised requirements include:

• At least 8 years' experience in process control or automation within a manufacturing environment.
• At least 2 years' experience in a leadership role managing technical teams.
• Proven experience with PLCs, SCADA systems and field instrumentation.
• Experience with systems integration, network protocols and MES solutions.
• FMCG or beverage manufacturing experience is advantageous.

Technical Skills & Knowledge

The position requires strong technical capability across areas such as:

• Advanced PLC programming and troubleshooting.
• SCADA and HMI systems.
• Wonderware ArchestrA and InTouch.
• Alarm management.
• Industrial instrumentation and signal processing.
• Instrument calibration, configuration and maintenance.
• Industrial networking and Ethernet technologies.
• Industrial cybersecurity principles.
• Control-system integration.
• Manufacturing applications and operational processes.
• Data analytics and root-cause analysis.
• Computerised maintenance management systems (CMMS).
• Technical documentation and compliance processes.
• Change implementation and digital transformation.
• Cross-functional technical leadership.

What You Should Prepare Before Applying

Because this is an experienced technical engineering position, applicants should ensure their CV clearly demonstrates their relevant technical background rather than only listing qualifications.

Prepare:

• An updated CV with your most recent engineering and automation experience.
• Details of your relevant engineering or technical qualifications.
• Evidence of relevant automation, control-system or instrumentation certifications where applicable.
• A clear record of your experience with PLC, SCADA, instrumentation and manufacturing systems.
• Examples of automation, optimisation or systems-integration projects you have worked on.
• Details of technical teams or projects you have led.
• Any other supporting information requested through the employer's e-recruitment portal.

What You Could Expect

This position provides an opportunity to work at the intersection of engineering, manufacturing, automation and digital technology.

The role involves both strategic and operational responsibilities, ranging from developing control and automation standards to troubleshooting production systems and leading improvement projects.

The successful candidate can expect to work with technologies including PLCs, SCADA/HMI, industrial instrumentation, networking and manufacturing systems while collaborating with engineering, manufacturing, technical and operational stakeholders.

The position also involves contributing to technical capability development and helping manufacturing operations make better use of existing and future automation technologies.

Application Process

The employer states that only applications submitted through the e-recruitment portal will be accepted.

Before submitting your application:

1. Review the minimum requirements carefully.
2. Ensure your CV clearly reflects your process control and automation experience.
3. Highlight your PLC, SCADA, instrumentation, networking and systems-integration experience.
4. Clearly indicate any technical leadership experience.
5. Include relevant qualifications and certifications.
6. Submit your application through the Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa e-recruitment platform before 13 October 2026.

Management reserves the right to consider additional or relevant information when short-listing candidates.

Before You Apply

Use this checklist before submitting your application:

• Do you have a relevant engineering or technical qualification?

• Do you have at least 8 years of process control or automation experience?

• Do you have at least 2 years of technical leadership experience?

• Can you demonstrate PLC programming and troubleshooting experience?

• Do you have SCADA/HMI experience?

• Do you have experience with industrial instrumentation?

• Have you worked with industrial networks or systems integration?

• Do you have manufacturing experience?

• Is your CV updated and focused on relevant technical projects?

• Have you submitted your application through the official employer recruitment portal?

• Have you applied before the 13 October 2026 closing date?

Vacancy Portal's Application Tip

For a senior technical position like this, avoid submitting a CV that simply lists technologies without explaining how you used them. Highlight specific automation projects, manufacturing improvements, system integrations, major troubleshooting work and technical leadership responsibilities you have handled.

Where possible, show the scale and impact of your work — for example, the type of manufacturing environment, systems involved, teams supported, projects led or operational problems resolved. This can make it easier for recruiters to see how your experience aligns with the requirements of the role.

Source / Official Application

This opportunity was published by Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa.

Applicants should use the employer's official e-recruitment platform to review the complete vacancy information and submit their application.

Reference Number: CCB261006-2
Closing Date: 13 October 2026

The direct application URL was not included in the vacancy information provided.

Disclaimer

Vacancy Portal provides this opportunity as an informational resource for job seekers. Applicants should verify the requirements, salary, closing date and application instructions on the employer's official recruitment platform before applying.

Vacancy Portal is not the recruiting employer and does not guarantee employment, shortlisting or selection.