Automation Engineering Supervisor

Summary

Controls and Automation Engineering Supervisor will manage and supervise essential maintenance activities and provide automation controls support to a highly automated fresh pork production facility. The Controls and Automation Engineering Supervisor should understand the basics of industrial facilities and have strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills, with a background in electrical and industrial controls. The position will require experience with the latest versions of the Allen-Bradley family of PLCs, VFDs, HMIs/OITs, and a strong understanding of electrical control systems, mechanical drives, pneumatics, hydraulics, PCs, Robotics, and control networks.

Education, Licensure and Experience

• EE Degree, or equivalent.
• Three or more years’ experience in the Automation field.
• A combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates competency to perform the work may be substituted.
• Equipment-specific knowledge may be required based on location.
• Strong experience with the following software packages:
• Rockwell Controls Software.
• AutoCad (Preferred).
• Microsoft Office.
• Strong overall electrical knowledge and experience with electrical and industrial control systems.
• Excellent communication skills and effective team building skills a must.
• Experience in a food processing plant is a plus.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be at least 18 years of age and able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilitiesinclude the following (Please note: This in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position. Other duties may be assigned as deemed necessary and appropriate.):

• Have experience in SLC 500 and Logix 5000 series PLC’s and PanelView ME Studio Programming to Level 4 and 5.
• Knowledge of Kinetix Servo systems.
• Sequential Flow Chart Programming knowledge,Logix 5000.
• Have knowledge of EnetIP Networks and fault-finding diagnosis.
• Familiarity with Rockwell SE, and Historian.
• Understanding of computer operating systems such as Windows 10, Server 2019, and Thin Clients etc.
• Review key plant metrics/KPIs and equipment data to identify potential areas for continuous improvement and lead a team to develop an engineered solution.
• Provide electrical troubleshooting and industrial controls support to the maintenance department.
• Provide support for the manufacturing controls networks with an understanding of IP addressing, machine network switches, Vlan topology and act as a liaison between plant personnel, corporate engineering, and IT when needed.
• Manage Rockwell Automation and other software/hardware programs on department computers as well as ensuring all control devices are up to date with firmware and software revisions knowledge of Asset Center.
• Maintain a library for all control device back-ups and updates.
• Work closely with operations management to provide effective controls support.
• Lead PdM (Predictive Maintenance) initiatives through conducting and training maintenance personnel on Thermography, Ultrasonic Leak Detection, and Vibration Analysis.
• Ensure equipment in area is maintained, guarded, and operated in accordance with defined safety regulations and procedures.
• Identify potential cost savings and cost avoidance; implement continuous improvement projects to achieve results.
• Participate in budget planning for area and department.
• Visit equipment suppliers as needed to inspect new equipment ensuring compliance with electrical specifications.
• Ensure all new and retrofitted equipment has optimized electrical PMs.
• Support other WSF facilities if required, may require some minor travel.
• Will be responsible for Mentoring, Developing, Training, and Validating knowledge of electrical troubleshooting and controls systems with all Mechanics.
• Industrial Automation and Control Systems (IACS) design and implementation into enterprise network utilizing Converged Plantwide Ethernet (CPwE) architecture, and operation thereof.
• Maintain calibration records of electrical testing equipment.
• Approve all Electrical AutoCAD drawings.
• Ensure electrical and controls documentation is kept up to date and accurate.
• Maintain ISA certifications of all controls’ employees.
• Maintain standards of operations for E-Techs.
• Assist in training of new E-Tech and Automation Engineering team members to the expected quality standard of the position.
• Plan of controls in conjunction with Project Engineer.
• Coordinate contracts for repair of electrical devices with Electric Shop Supervisor.
• Conduct cost and time estimations for Controls programming and installation.
• Oversee Controls projects workflows.
• Create custom documentation such as user manuals, programming diagrams, network diagrams, and electrical drawings.
• Stay up to date on changes in UL, IEC, and ISA standards.
• Ensure compliance with all UL, IEC, and ISA standards relevant to a project.
• Analyze plant processes, design, and implement improvements.
• Maintain best practices guidelines that adhere to changing standards and knowledge within the electrical and controls programming fields to include proper bonding/grounding methodology and noise suppression (harmonic reduction).
• Plan preventative maintenance of electrical systems in coordination with the Electrical Shop Supervisor.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Supervises personnel to ensure quality service in accordance with the Personnel Manual and applicable laws. Responsibilities include but are not limited:

• Determining staffing requirements necessary to meet the department’s needs.
• Training employees in the performance of duties in compliance with all state and federal standards and laws, as well as company requirements.
• Planning and directing work schedules to assign and coordinate the work of office employees to promote efficiency of operations and in accordance with budgeted hours, ensuring that all duties are performed – work assignments to assist staff in completing and performing such tasks.
• Delegating responsibility and accountability to staff as deemed necessary.

Language Skills

Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the language of the majority cultural group in order to communicate effectively. Must be able to hear enough to understand those individuals as well. Ability to read, interpret, and comprehend documents such as grafts/flow sheets, financials, general professional articles and publications, governmental regulations, safety rules,

assignment sheets, and procedure manuals. Must be able to write reports, business correspondence, policies and procedures, and other administrative forms as outlined above.

Must be able to effectively communicate in both individual and group settings. Must be able to present information and respond to questions from individuals and/or groups.

Mathematical Skills

In order to perform duties, must be able to:

• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide all units of measure such as whole numbers, fractions, percentages, and fractions.
• Compute rate, discounts, ratios, and percent, and
• Make, read, and interpret financials, graphs, rates, ratios, and percentages.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to apply common sense and judgment in solving problems and interpreting and understanding instructions furnished in written or oral form. Must be able to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action yet reason when to involve supervisor.

Other Skills and Abilities

• Display strong organizational skills with ability to prioritize multiple tasks and deal with frequent interruptions.
• Basic office skills such as phone skills, voice mail, copying, faxing, typing, and directing visitors.
• Ability to function independently given assigned duties.
• Ability to communicate, work, and interact with a variety of individuals.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those required of an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use hands and/or fingers to feel, manipulate small objects, write, and type. The employee is frequently required to bend; squat/kneel; twist/turn; sit; talk; hear and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to push/pull; climb; walk; stand; and balance. The employee is rarely required to smell and/or taste. The employee must frequently lift/carry/move up to 15 pounds and occasionally up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

We offer a competitive benefits package which includes:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Company matching Retirement Plan
• Paid time off
• Short term and long term disability
• Referral program
• Flexible Spending and Health Savings Plans

Wholestone Farms is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, gender, gender orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.