Global Director – Smart Terminal Automation

About the role

DP World is looking for a Global Director to own and advance its Smart Terminal Automation portfolio, which complements the core crane and vehicle categories and supports a move toward an Industry 4.0 factory model. BOXBAY is a core focus: the role acts as DP World's product owner for BOXBAY and leads its first operational integration, stabilization and scaling, and the wider portfolio may include robotic applications and other special automation systems.

Key responsibilities

• Act as DP World's product owner for BOXBAY, preserving and developing the technical and operational knowledge and representing DP World's requirements with the BOXBAY joint venture.
• Supervise the automation aspects of BOXBAY designs and rollouts, ensuring integration with quay and yard operations, horizontal transport, supporting infrastructure and TOS.
• Own the requirements, application concepts and roadmap for other mature automation solutions (e.g., automated storage, automated mooring, robotic workstations).
• Establish a structured handover from Automation R&D once a solution reaches sufficient maturity, then lead its operational integration, stabilization and scaling.
• Convert implementation experience into repeatable requirements, reference concepts and readiness criteria, and integrate them into the Automation Playbook.
• Lead execution of the global Automation Playbook under the Global Vice President, Automation, coordinating terminal assessments, opportunity definition, target operating models and implementation roadmaps.
• Develop the Automation Playbook impact model, quantifying impacts on productivity, capacity, manpower, energy, capital requirements, risk and ROI, and connect it with Global Operations and the Dynamic Terminal Simulation Program.
• Work with regions, business units and terminal leadership to move viable automation opportunities from assessment through feasibility, budgeting, implementation and stabilization.

Required profile

• Degree in automation, electrical/mechatronics/control/mechanical/industrial engineering or a related discipline.
• 15+ years delivering complex automation solutions in industrial environments, including major projects and operational implementations.
• Experience taking automation solutions from feasibility and technical maturity through first operational integration, stabilization and scaling.
• Experience leading large, capital-intensive automation or infrastructure projects with complex contracting, engineering partners, systems integrators, suppliers or joint ventures.
• Experience standardizing and scaling automation across multiple sites or business units, and leading portfolio-level automation or transformation programs.
• Relevant experience in a major industrial operator such as automotive, advanced manufacturing, logistics, warehousing, mining or aviation.
• Desirable: ports and terminals experience, and experience with automated material handling, high-bay storage and retrieval systems, robotics and autonomous operations.

Required skills

• Broad understanding of Industry 4.0 and how equipment, processes, infrastructure, control systems, software, data and people combine in an end-to-end operating model.
• Ability to translate operational requirements into application concepts, technical requirements, target operating models and implementation roadmaps.
• Ability to develop and challenge impact models, feasibility studies and investment cases.
• Able to act as a credible automation authority in a supplier-led environment and hold suppliers and partners accountable.
• Strong supplier management, commercial judgement and decision-making; able to influence senior stakeholders and lead multidisciplinary teams without direct authority.