Controls Technology Leader

Position Title: 

Controls Technology Leader

Category/Shift:

Salaried Full-Time

Pay Rate:

$112,100 - $149,500

PL15

Multiple factors, including Individual experience, skills and abilities, will determine where an employee is ultimately placed in the pay range.

Physical Location:

Grande Prairie Pulp Mill

53024A Resources Road

County of Grande Prairie No.1

Directions: Travel 12 kms south of Grande Prairie on Resources Road.

To learn more about the Northwest Alberta region, please visit Work NW Alberta

The Job You Will Perform:

The Controls Technology Leader is responsible for administering, maintaining, and advancing the mill's process control technologies, while providing leadership for capital projects, major repairs, and system lifecycle planning. This role ensures control systems are safe, reliable, compliant, and aligned with operational and strategic business goals.

Primary Responsibilities – Controls Technology & Leadership

• Provide overall technical leadership for the mill's controls technology, including Distributed Control Systems (DCS), Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), control networks, and process control applications.
• Develop and maintain short- and long-term controls technology plans, including lifecycle management, upgrades, and replacements.
• Ensure all controls systems comply with Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) standards, legal requirements, and internal technology standards.
• Provide technical support for optimization of existing processes, troubleshooting, and reliability improvements.
• Provide controls, engineering support for process improvements and Management of Change (MOC) reviews.
• Review, approve, and ensure accuracy of controls-related engineering documents, standards, and specifications (DCS, PLC, instrumentation).
• Provide final approval for all hardware and software connected to or loaded on control systems.
• Ensure control documents, standards, and system architecture information are current, accurate, and accessible.
• Support mill reliability initiatives in collaboration with maintenance, electrical, and instrumentation teams.

Controls Technology Outcomes

• Maintain a Controls Master Plan that documents:
  • Existing control systems and architectures
  • Lifecycle cost-benefit and value engineering analyses
  • Direction, timelines, and strategies for upgrades and replacements
• Ensure all new and existing control systems:
  • Meet legal, technology, and business requirements
  • Are designed for optimal use, safety, and maximum production
  • Are inspected, documented, and corrected if non-conforming
  • Do not introduce reliability risks due to age or obsolescence
  • Are managed in accordance with IIOT (Industrial Internet of Things) standards
• Ensure controls technology is fully integrated into the Management of Change (MOC) system.
• Maintain a clear support matrix defining primary, secondary, and support responsibilities for control systems.

Project Duties

• Provide controls leadership for capital projects and major repairs, from scoping through commissioning.
• Ensure controls scope is accurately represented in project estimates, schedules, and specifications.
• Coordinate with project leaders, regional engineering, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Select, manage, and oversee engineering consultants, contractors, and vendors.
• Review vendor documentation, drawings, software, and system architecture.
• Support construction, commissioning, startup, and system handover activities.
• Safely manage controls related activities during the construction and implementation phases.

Team Leadership & Development

• Ensure the Controls Team meets all safety training and performance expectations.
• Provide technical guidance, mentoring, and leadership to controls personnel.
• Assist with identifying and maintaining the team's technical skill base.
• Support training of new personnel and cross-functional team members as required.
• Manage team objectives, career plans, training plans, CSAs, and Individual Development Plans.
• Ensure expectations related to safety, attendance, overtime, discipline, vacation, and expenses are upheld.

The Skills You Will Bring:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Engineering Technology (Electrical, Controls, Automation, or related discipline preferred).
• 5–10 years of experience in industrial controls, automation, or process control systems.
• Strong experience in DCS, PLCs, control networking, and process control applications.
• Proven experience supporting capital projects, system upgrades, and MOC processes in an industrial environment.
• Ability to work effectively in a pulp and paper or heavy industrial setting.

Technical Skills

• Strong understanding of process control theory and instrumentation.
• Experience with Honeywell TDC3000 or similar DCS platforms.
• Experience with PLC systems (e.g., Modicon or equivalent).
• Working knowledge of IT/networking concepts related to industrial control systems.
• Familiarity with construction methods, commissioning, and startup activities.
• Ability to review and interpret engineering drawings, control narratives, and specifications.

Leadership & Professional Skills

• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent planning, prioritization, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work across organizational boundaries and influence stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced industrial environment

About Global Cellulose Fibers (GCF):

Our GCF business helps customers transform renewable cellulose fibers into essential everyday products. Our safe, high-quality pulp forms the basis for a wide range of applications like towel and tissue products, diapers, feminine care, incontinence and other personal care products that promote health and wellness. In addition, our specialty pulp serves as a sustainable raw material used in construction materials, paints, coatings and more. GCF generated $2.8B in revenue in 2024 and has 3,300 employees globally, with nine manufacturing facilities and eight regional offices. Additional information can be found by visiting  

Why GCF:

Global Cellulose Fibers promotes employee well-being by providing safe, caring and inclusive workplaces. We have team members all around the world with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. These are our strengths. We are committed to creating a culture where all individuals are respected, valued, engaged and have an opportunity to do their best work every day. We invite you to bring your uniqueness, creativity, talents, experiences, and safety mindset to be a part of our increasingly inclusive and diverse culture. 

We've Got You Covered:

At Global Cellulose Fibers, our employees are our most important asset and that's reflected in our benefits package that includes health, welfare and retirement plans. We are proud to offer a variety of benefits to support our employees and their families, including: 

• Paid time off including Vacation and Holidays
• Medical & Dental
• Education & Development (including Tuition Reimbursement)
• Life & Disability Insurance
• On-site Cafeteria
• On-site Nurse
• Strong Safety Culture

Global Cellulose Fibers is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.  Global Cellulose Fibers complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodation for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact or