Automation Controls Technician - Plant

Forsman Farms, Inc.; Howard Lake (MN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Forsman Farms, Inc. is seeking a Plant Automation / Controls Technician to ensure safe, reliable plant operations by troubleshooting PLC-based controls and improving logic.

The role partners with Operations and Maintenance to boost uptime and production efficiency. The ideal candidate will have PLC programming experience, be able to work independently and with contractors, operate a forklift safely, and communicate effectively across teams while training others on control changes and standard

Qualifications

• Must have PLC programming and troubleshooting experience.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with Operations, Maintenance and contractors.
• Capable of operating a forklift and/or pallet jack safely and effectively.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, changing production environment.
• Strong communication and training skills, with ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical users.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, implement, and sustain process and reliability improvements.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, troubleshoot, and improve PLC-based controls to support safe and efficient operations.
• Partner with Operations and Maintenance to diagnose issues, implement changes, and verify results.
• Communicate clearly with a diverse team and document updates to controls and processes.
• Train operators and leaders on control logic changes and standard operating steps.
• Maintain control system standards (backups, change control, and required spares) to minimize downtime.
• Support control system expansions and upgrades, coordinating with contractors and IT as needed.

Skills

PLC programming

Forklift operation

Independent/workload management

Communication/training

Process improvements

Team collaboration

Job description

Description

Position Summary:

The Plant Automation / Controls Technician supports safe, reliable plant operations by troubleshooting control systems, improving PLC logic, and partnering with Operations and Maintenance to increase uptime and production efficiency.

Key Responsibilities:

• Maintain, troubleshoot, and improve PLC-based controls to support safe and efficient operations.
• Partner with Operations and Maintenance to diagnose issues, implement changes, and verify results.
• Communicate clearly with a diverse team and document updates to controls and processes.
• Train operators and leaders on control logic changes and standard operating steps.
• Maintain control system standards (backups, change control, and required spares) to minimize downtime.
• Support control system expansions and upgrades, coordinating with contractors and internal IT as needed.

Qualifications:

• PLC programming and troubleshooting experience (manufacturing/processing environment preferred).
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with Operations, Maintenance, and contractors.
• Ability to operate a forklift and/or pallet jack safely and effectively
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, changing production environment.
• Strong communication and training skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical users.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, implement, and sustain process and reliability improvements.

Resumen del Puesto:

El Técnico en Automatización y Control de Planta apoya las operaciones de la planta de manera segura y confiable mediante la resolución de problemas en los sistemas de control, la mejora de la lógica de los PLC y la colaboración con los equipos de Operaciones y Mantenimiento para incrementar el tiempo de funcionamiento de los equipos y la eficiencia de la producción.

Responsabilidades Principales:

• Mantener, diagnosticar fallas y mejorar los sistemas de control basados en PLC para respaldar operaciones seguras y eficientes.
• Colaborar con los equipos de Operaciones y Mantenimiento para diagnosticar problemas, implementar cambios y verificar los resultados.
• Comunicarse de manera clara con un equipo diverso y documentar las actualizaciones realizadas a los sistemas de control y los procesos.
• Capacitar a operadores y líderes sobre los cambios en la lógica de control y los procedimientos operativos estándar.
• Mantener los estándares de los sistemas de control (copias de seguridad, control de cambios y refacciones críticas requeridas) para minimizar el tiempo de inactividad.
• Brindar apoyo en la expansión y actualización de los sistemas de control, coordinando con contratistas y con el equipo interno de TI según sea necesario.

Calificaciones:

• Experiencia en programación y resolución de problemas de PLC (se prefiere experiencia en entornos de manufactura o procesamiento).
• Capacidad para trabajar de forma independiente y en colaboración con los equipos de Operaciones, Mantenimiento y contratistas.
• Capacidad para operar un montacargas y/o una transpaleta (pallet jack) de manera segura y eficiente.
• Capacidad para trabajar cómodamente en un entorno de producción dinámico y de ritmo acelerado.
• Excelentes habilidades de comunicación y capacitación, con la capacidad de explicar conceptos técnicos a personas sin conocimientos técnicos.
• Capacidad demostrada para identificar, implementar y mantener mejoras en los procesos y la confiabilidad de los equipos.