Automation & Controls Supervisor - SBB

Tolko Industries; Town of Slave Lake; On-site; CAD 102,000 - 136,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Tuition reimbursement

Training and professional development

Job summary

Tolko Industries is seeking an Automation & Controls Supervisor for the Strand Based Business, based in Slave Lake with potential remote options in Edmonton. You will lead regional control systems, drive improvements in safety, quality, and production uptime, and guide a team of specialists across Northern Alberta sites.

The role requires 7+ years in controls/automation in manufacturing, strong leadership, and deep knowledge of PLCs, HMIs, and automation standards.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in a technical or engineering discipline.
• Professional certification as an Engineer or Technologist.
• 7+ years of experience in Controls and Automation within an industrial manufacturing environment.
• Experience in forest products manufacturing is a strong asset.
• Leadership or supervisory experience within a technical or controls environment.
• Fluent technical communication skills.
• Understanding of manufacturing equipment from optimization, controls, electrical, and mechanical perspectives.
• VMware virtualization experience.
• Hands-on with Visualization systems and HMIs.
• Industrial programming including ladder logic, function block, and structured text.
• Allen-Bradley PLCs and Rockwell Software.
• Motion control (hydraulic and electric).
• Motor control including VFDs, soft starters, and smart overloads.
• Industrial networking including Ethernet and DeviceNet.

Responsibilities

• Provide regional oversight and technical leadership for Process Control, Automation, and Optimization systems.
• Identify and implement controls and process improvements for safety, quality, throughput, and uptime.
• Provide guidance to Control Systems Specialists supporting operations in the region.
• Travel 50–70% of the time across Northern Alberta manufacturing sites.
• Serve as an industry SME for Tolko on capital and operational improvement projects.
• Define, design, develop, implement, and commission plant-wide control systems.
• Establish and improve controls standards and automation best practices.
• Develop control system specifications including narratives, descriptions, and arch/ drawings.
• Lead process optimization initiatives using control and automation tech.
• Maintain and troubleshoot PLC, HMI, historian, networking infrastructure.
• Provide remote and off-hour technical support for critical failures.

Skills

Leadership

Technical communication

Problem solving

Multitasking

Education

Post-secondary degree or diploma in technical/engineering

Professional certification as Engineer or Technologist

Tools

VMware

Allen-Bradley PLCs

Rockwell Software

HMI/Visualization

Industrial networking (Ethernet/DeviceNet)

Job description

Automation & Controls Supervisor- Strand Based Business (SBB)

Slave Lake, AB (On-site) or Edmonton, Alberta (Remote)

Our Automation & Controls Supervisor- Strand Based Business (SBB) provides regional leadership and technical expertise for Process Control, Automation, and Optimization systems across our Northern Alberta and Saskatchewan operations. You will work closely with divisional management teams and operational leaders to identify and implement controls solutions that improve safety, product quality, production throughput, reliability, and uptime.

We are looking for an Automation & Controls Supervisor - SBB to join our operational divisions across Northern Alberta where we produce a diverse range of innovative forest products for customers around the world. Preferably based on-site in Slave Lake, Alberta, with a possibility for the right candidate to be based in Edmonton, Alberta (remote). Travel to our manufacturing sites is required between 50%-70% of the time.

Our ideal candidate has the following qualifications:

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in a technical or engineering discipline.
• Professional certification as an Engineer or Technologist.
• 7+ years of experience in Controls and Automation within an industrial manufacturing environment.
• Significant experience in forest products manufacturing, with direct OSB manufacturing experience considered a strong asset.
• Previous leadership or supervisory experience within a technical or controls environment.
• Fluent technical communication skills.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing equipment from an optimization, controls, electrical, and mechanical perspective.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with minimal supervision, including defining problems, collecting and analyzing data, establishing facts, and developing effective solutions.
• Ability to interpret technical documentation, including electrical schematics, prints, control narratives, functional descriptions, system architecture drawings, and engineering tolerances.
• Working knowledge of VMware virtualization software.
• Extensive hands-on experience with: Visualization systems and HMIs.
• Industrial programming, including ladder logic, function block, and structured text.
• Allen-Bradley PLCs and Rockwell Software.
• Motion control, including hydraulic and electric systems.
• Motor control, including variable frequency drives, soft starters, and smart overloads.
• Industrial networking, including Ethernet and DeviceNet.

We value diversity at Tolko and know that experience and knowledge come in many forms. Even if you don't have all the qualifications above, please apply. We would love to hear your story and have you grow with us.

In this role, you will:

• Provide regional oversight and technical leadership for Process Control, Automation, and Optimization systems, working directly with divisional management teams to improve operational performance.
• Identify and recommend controls and process improvements that enhance safety, quality, throughput, reliability, and equipment uptime.
• Provide technical guidance and leadership to Control Systems Specialists supporting operations within the region.
• Travel regularly between our Northern Alberta manufacturing operations based on operational and project requirements.
• Serve as an industry subject matter expert for Tolko, providing technical and project management expertise on capital and operational improvement projects.
• Define, design, develop, implement, and commission plant-wide control systems and automation solutions.
• Establish, support, and continuously improve controls standards and automation best practices across the region.
• Develop control system technical specifications, including control narratives, functional descriptions, system architecture drawings, PLC programming, and HMI configurations.
• Lead and support process optimization initiatives, using controls and automation technology to improve manufacturing performance.
• Maintain and troubleshoot PLC, HMI, historian, industrial networking, and related control system infrastructure.
• Provide remote and off-hour technical support for critical system failures.

So, what’s in it for you?

• You’ll take on an exciting new challenge with supportive team members.
• You’ll earn a competitive salary based on your skills and experience. The expected base salary range for this position is $102,000 to $136,000 per year.
• You’ll be eligible for excellent benefits, so you don’t have to choose between your bottom line and your wellbeing or your future.
• You may also be eligible for relocation support including community connections so you can live (and play) where you work.
• You’ll be supported in continued development through on-the-job and classroom training and reimbursement of tuition and membership fees.
• You’ll be part of a positive, innovative, and inclusive work environment.

If you want to work in a sustainable, future focused industry, there is no better place than Tolko. Our family has been producing innovative forest products for over 70 years. Our focus remains on sustainably managing our forests and our business for upcoming generations.

About Slave Lake

Our Athabasca Division is located two and a half hours northwest of Edmonton, Alberta close to the town of Slave Lake. Slave Lake is home to over 6,000 people, Its an active community boasting two ball facilities, a multi-recreation centre, aquatic centre, and over 40 acres of parks and open space to explore.

Watch this video to learn more about the community and find out why life is better here.

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To protect the privacy of your personal information, please ensure that when you apply, you are directed to Tolko’s job board at https://recruiting.ultipro.ca or you are accessing Tolko job opportunities through our website at www.tolko.com.