Industrial Automation Manager

IJmuiden, Netherlands
Contract Opportunity

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced Industrial Automation Manager to support and maintain critical industrial control systems within a complex manufacturing environment.

In this role, you will operate at the intersection of automation, system reliability, and operational management. You will play a key role in ensuring the continuity, security, and future readiness of production-critical automation systems.

Working directly within a highly automated production environment, you will be responsible for managing Level 1 control systems, overseeing backup and recovery processes, lifecycle management, system documentation, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and monitor backup and restore procedures for industrial control systems.
• Execute and track hardware and software lifecycle management activities, including version control, patching, and replacement planning.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date system and configuration documentation.
• Identify technical risks, obsolescence issues, and opportunities for improvement within the automation environment.
• Collaborate with engineers, maintenance teams, and project teams on upgrades, modifications, and modernization initiatives.
• Ensure automation systems remain secure, recoverable, and compliant with operational requirements.
• Support the stability, availability, and performance of production-critical systems.
• Participate in on-call support when required.

Required Qualifications

• Completed MBO qualification in Electrical Engineering, Industrial Automation, Information Technology, or a related technical field.
• Demonstrable experience working with PLC-based control systems.
• Knowledge of industrial automation platforms or willingness to further develop expertise in this area.
• Experience with industrial networks and visualization systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to remain calm and decisive during incidents, outages, and production disruptions.

Preferred Skills

• Experience working in industrial manufacturing or production environments.
• Understanding of operational technology (OT) environments.
• Knowledge of system backup, disaster recovery, and lifecycle management processes.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Structured and process-driven approach to work.

Work Environment

You will work within a highly technical Operational Technology environment supporting advanced production processes. The role involves close collaboration with operations, maintenance, engineering, and project teams to ensure the reliable performance of critical installations and production systems.

This is a dynamic environment where technology, safety, operational excellence, and continuous improvement are central to daily operations.

What We're Looking For

The ideal candidate is passionate about industrial automation and enjoys working in technically challenging environments. You take ownership of your responsibilities, work in a structured manner, and contribute proactively to system reliability and operational excellence.

You are:

• Solution-oriented and proactive.
• Collaborative and team-focused.
• Detail-oriented and organized.
• Comfortable working in critical production environments.
• Committed to continuous improvement and innovation.

Additional Information

• Compensation will be based on the candidate's experience, knowledge, and skills.
• A tailored motivation letter is highly appreciated.
• Candidates should be aware of applicable employment legislation and collective labour agreement requirements.
• A pre-employment screening process will be conducted before onboarding.
• A valid Certificate of Conduct (VOG), where applicable, must be successfully completed before the start date.
• VCA Basic certification is required for salaried candidates.
• All candidate information must be submitted accurately and completely to ensure consideration.

If you have a strong background in industrial automation and want to make a direct impact on the reliability and performance of complex production systems, we would love to hear from you.