Projects & Innovation Lead
Automation | IT & OT Infrastructure | SCADA | Ag Technology | Major Projects
Location: Hay, NSW
Employment Type: Full-time | Senior Leadership Role
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About the Role
We are seeking a Projects & Innovation Lead to take ownership of how our sites, assets, systems, and technology platforms are designed, delivered, and evolved across large-scale feedlot, farming, and industrial operations.
This role is intended for a technically grounded, solution-focused leader who has built their career through hands-on operational experience, progressed into engineering and major project delivery, and now wants to shape the long-term capability, resilience, and growth of an operating business.
You will lead the implementation of an automation, IT/OT, and agricultural technology modernisation program, while remaining close to the operation — working with real equipment, solving real problems, and ensuring technology delivers practical, measurable outcomes on the ground.
This role requires excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical problems clearly and simply to operational, technical, and executive stakeholders.
This is not a consulting or desk-only role. It is a long-term asset and platform ownership role, with accountability for how systems perform today and how they scale into the future.
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Why This Role Exists
Our operations have grown progressively over time, with automation, IT, OT, and machinery technologies introduced to support scale and efficiency.
As the business continues to grow, these systems now require:
* Clear ownership of automation and digital platforms
* Stronger integration between operations, engineering, and technology
* A secure, resilient, and future-ready network and control architecture
* Leadership that understands how sites actually operate, not just how systems are designed
This role has been created to bring those responsibilities together under one technically capable leader — someone who can turn strategy, audits, and complex problems into practical solutions, reduce operational risk, and enable long-term sustainable growth.
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Key Responsibilities
Automation, SCADA & OT Leadership
* Lead the implementation of a modern, secure OT architecture, including:
* Network segmentation
* Standardised PLC, SCADA, and HMI platforms
* Secure, auditable remote access for vendors and contractors
* Take a solution-focused, practical approach to diagnosing, designing, and implementing automation improvements.
* Design, develop, modify, and support SCADA systems, including:
* Screen development and visualisation
* Alarm management and diagnostics
* Historian and data integration
* Support commissioning, fault-finding, and optimisation of PLC, SCADA, and HMI systems.
* Interpret and work from electrical and electronic schematics, control drawings, network diagrams, and panel layouts.
* Clearly communicate technical issues, risks, and solutions to non-technical stakeholders.
IT & OT Infrastructure, Monitoring & Support
* Provide strategic oversight of both IT and OT environments, including:
* Network design, switching, firewalls, wireless, and secure remote access
* Servers, backups, disaster recovery, and cyber resilience
* Network and system monitoring, alerting, and performance visibility
* Select, implement, and manage monitoring tools to proactively identify faults, bottlenecks, and risks.
* Be available to troubleshoot on-site IT and OT issues as required, particularly where they impact safety, uptime, or production continuity.
* Bridge the gap between operations, engineering, and IT, communicating complex issues simply and ensuring solutions are fit-for-purpose and operationally practical.
Farming & Machinery Technology
* Lead the implementation, integration, and ongoing management of agricultural machinery technologies, including:
* John Deere platforms and JDLink
* Telematics, connectivity, and machine data capture
* Integration of machinery data with maintenance, operations, and reporting systems
* Work closely with farming, maintenance, and operations teams, clearly articulating value, change impacts, and benefits to drive adoption and productivity gains.
Project Delivery & Partner Management
* Lead end-to-end delivery of automation, infrastructure, digital, and ag-technology projects:
* Concept design, business cases, delivery, commissioning, and handover
* Independently seek creative and practical solutions to project constraints, operational challenges, and technical risks.
* Work closely with internal stakeholders across operations, maintenance, IT, finance, and leadership.
* Manage external partners, including system integrators, OEMs, technology vendors, and consultants.
* Control scope, budget, timelines, and operational risk.
* Be present during critical commissioning, cutovers, and troubleshooting periods.
Innovation, Governance & Resilience
* Identify and deploy emerging technologies across automation, ag-tech, IIoT, analytics, and autonomous systems.
* Establish strong governance for:
* Change management and version control (PLC / SCADA / HMI)
* Backup, recovery, and cyber resilience
* Asset documentation and system ownership
* Reduce cyber, operational, and supplier-dependency risk across the business.
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About You
You are a practical, technically strong, solution-driven leader who enjoys being close to operations and solving complex problems.
You will bring:
* 15+ years' experience across automation, engineering, IT/OT, ag-tech, or industrial environments
* A strong hands-on background in industrial automation and SCADA systems
* Demonstrated ability to design, modify, and support SCADA applications
* Confidence interpreting electrical, electronic, and control system diagrams
* Proven experience delivering complex projects from concept through to commissioning
* Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to:
* Explain complex technical problems simply
* Influence operational and executive stakeholders
* Produce clear technical and project documentation
* A practical, outcomes-focused approach to problem solving, with the initiative to independently seek creative solutions
* Experience with farming machinery technologies (e.g. John Deere, JDLink, telematics) highly regarded
* Solid understanding of:
* PLCs, SCADA, HMIs
* Industrial networking, monitoring, and cybersecurity
* IT/OT integration and governance
* Strong capability working with internal teams and external partners
An engineering, electrical, mechatronics, or trades-based technical background is highly regarded.
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Why Join Us
* Lead the transformation of a large, complex feedlot and farming operation
* Own automation, IT/OT, SCADA, and ag-technology strategy end-to-end
* Work with real equipment, real machinery, and real operational challenges
* Influence long-term strategy while remaining hands-on where it matters
* Attractive senior remuneration package commensurate with experience