Head of Automation, AI & OT

Benefits

Pulled from the full job description

Full job description

Company Overview:

ChocXO Chocolatier LLC is a fast-growing, premium North American chocolate manufacturer redefining how modern food manufacturing is built and scaled. Privately owned, well-capitalized, and founder-led, we operate at the intersection of branded CPG, contract manufacturing, innovation, and sustainability — with the freedom to invest long-term and do things the right way.

In the past year alone, we have:

• Scaled from one manufacturing site to three
• Expanded our brand portfolio, including the mission-driven Endangered Species Chocolate
• Invested heavily in new capacity, automation, and enterprise-grade systems
• Begun construction on a next-generation manufacturing campus in Rockwall, Texas

Our manufacturing footprint includes:

• Delta, British Columbia – 60,000 sq. ft. fully automated, SQF Level 3 flagship
• Indianapolis, Indiana – 35,000 sq. ft. facility, home of Endangered Species Chocolate
• Rockwall, Texas – 225,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art manufacturing and distribution complex opening in 2026

We are now entering the most important phase of our growth: institutionalizing excellence. This is the shift from growth powered by heroics to growth powered by systems, discipline, and repeatability.

The Role:

We are building a modern North American chocolate platform across three facilities, combining branded products (Chocxo, Endangered Species Chocolate) with large-scale contract manufacturing (Chewters). We are hiring a hands-on leader to drive automation, AI, and operational systems across the business.

This role is focused on improving how our factories and business actually run — both on the plant floor and across administrative functions. The mandate is simple: reduce cost, improve throughput, increase uptime, and deliver real-time operational visibility.

You will lead both factory automation (robotics, vision systems, controls) and the development of AI-driven systems that provide clear, daily insight into performance, risk, and inefficiency.

This is a build role. We move quickly, invest when it makes sense, and expect execution.
We’re not looking for someone to study automation or AI — we’re looking for someone to build it and make it pay.

Key Responsibilities

Factory Automation

• Identify and prioritize automation opportunities across packaging, material handling, and end-of-line operations
• Deploy robotics, vision systems, and control solutions across multiple plants
• Standardize automation approaches, components, and vendors across facilities
• Improve line efficiency, reduce labor dependency, and increase overall equipment effectiveness
• Partner with plant managers and engineering teams to implement practical, scalable solutions

AI & Operational Systems

• Build and deploy systems that provide real-time visibility into production and business performance
• Develop tools that answer critical operational questions, including:
• Where did we lose time or money yesterday?
• What are the top risks today?
• Which lines, SKUs, or customers are underperforming?
• Where are we drifting on cost, throughput, or cash?
• Integrate data across production, finance, and supply chain systems
• Establish dashboards, alerts, and reporting that drive daily decision-making

Execution & Leadership

• Build and lead a small, high-impact automation and systems team
• Work closely with plant leadership, engineering, and finance to align priorities
• Own project execution from concept through deployment and performance validation
• Ensure investments deliver measurable ROI

What Success Looks Like (First 12–18 Months)

• Multiple automation cells deployed across key production areas
• Measurable reduction in labor dependency in targeted operations
• Improved uptime, throughput, and line performance across facilities
• Standardized automation approach implemented across plants
• A functioning AI-driven visibility layer providing daily operational clarity
• Clear identification and reduction of key cost and performance gaps

Required Experience Profile

• 10+ years of experience in industrial automation, manufacturing engineering, or a related field
• Proven track record deploying robotics, controls, and integrated automation systems in a production environment
• Strong understanding of how factories operate day-to-day, including constraints and trade-offs
• Hands-on, practical approach with the ability to move from diagnosis to implementation quickly
• Experience identifying and executing high-ROI operational improvements
• Ability to lead projects across multiple sites and functions

Preferred (Not Required)

• Experience with data systems, analytics, or AI in a manufacturing environment

Location

• Role is based in Delta, BC, with regular time in Texas (Rockwall) and Indianapolis
• Regular presence in the office is expected

Application

• If you are interested, please send a resume along with a brief summary of the projects you have personally led and their outcomes.

Pay: $125,000.00-$150,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental care
• Extended health care
• Vision care

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Delta, BC V3M 6R9: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)

Application question(s):

• What projects have you led and what their outcomes?

Work Location: In person