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Automation & Facilities Engineer

Suffolk, VA

LIPTON Teas and Infusions is the world’s largest tea business, home to much‑loved brands including Lipton, PG Tips, Pukka, TAZO, and Red Rose. Every day, our teas are part of moments that matter, from quiet pauses to shared rituals.

We’re united by one purpose: to craft great teas for every occasion, bringing joy and inspiring a healthier lifestyle. Guided by the power of plants and a deep understanding of our consumers, we create teas that fit real lives, tastes, and traditions around the world.

At Lipton Teas and Infusions, people come first. We foster an environment built on ownership, passion for excellence, and consumer and customer centricity — where diverse perspectives are valued, ideas are encouraged, and people are supported to grow and thrive.

Be part of this amazing blend. Join us and help craft great teas — and a healthier, happier world.

Job Title: Automation & Facilities Engineer

Job Status: Full-time

Work location: Suffolk, VA

Travel: Limited

 

 

Your Role

The Automation & Facilities Engineer will directly lead technical teams to ensure the reliability of the Suffolk Factory asset base. The high speed, highly automated nature of the operation and the complexity of facilities systems mean this role has an impact on all corners of the factory. There will be significant daily duties in the technical and leadership space, but there will also be a portfolio of projects (some small improvements and some capital projects requiring significant investment). The ideal candidate will demonstrate a balance of strong technical skill, analytical problem solving, and leadership.

Your Key Responsibilities:

· Lead, motivate, and coach a team of 15-25 employees to enhance engagement and drive high performance.

· Lead and administer 3rd party contractors under annual agreements for routine services, for one-off major repairs, or for project execution.

· Ensure compliance with all safety regulations, fostering a "safety-first" culture across the facility.

· Oversee daily engineering & maintenance functions to support factory operations (proactive PM activity, breakdown response, instrument calibrations, etc.).

· Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on increasing productivity, reducing waste, and optimizing processes.

· Excel in a highly automated manufacturing environment, and drive change to expand the level of automation and adopt advanced modern technologies (predictive maintenance sensing networks, collaborative robots, adaptive learning AGV’s, machine vision, and using AI as leverage across these or other applications).

· Automation Lead for site. Individually as a subject matter expert and broadly leading the E&I team to support PLC’s, industrial networks, drive systems, robotics, machine vision, and other similar systems.

· Facilities Engineering Lead for site. Support through a network of internal resources and contractor resources the building and facilties equipment (HVAC, Compressed Air, Steam, Mobile Equipment Repair, Etc)

· Develop and mentor team members to enhance skillsets and career progression.

· Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including production, quality, and ops planning, to ensure seamless production flow.

· Monitor and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) to identify trends and implement corrective actions.

· Manage and resolve employee relations issues, fostering a positive and inclusive work environment.

· Ensure adherence to company policies, regulatory standards, and best operational practices.

Skills and Experience:

· Engineering degree or equivalent. Preference for manufacturing experience, particularly in high-speed manufacturing, FMCG, or food production.

· Strong leadership and communication skills, with a proven ability to engage and develop teams.

· Experience managing projects from initiation to completion, including meeting deadlines and tracking progress.

· Demonstrated ability to drive a culture shift towards high performance and collaboration.

· Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to drive data-based decision-making.

· Knowledge of “continuous improvement” principles and methodologies is a plus (TPM, Lean/6-Sigma, or similar)

Benefits & Perks 

  • Comprehensive insurance plans - health, dental + disability and life Insurance
  • 401(k) with 5% company matching + an extra 4% after your first year
  • Generous time off including 20 days flexible PTO that increases with tenure and company holidays
  • Parental Leave - Primary & Secondary

LIPTON Teas and Infusions is an organization committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. We are interested in every individual bringing their whole self to work and this includes you! Therefore if you require any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.

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