Automation & Electrical Controls Supervisor

Idahoan Foods; Idaho Falls (ID); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Idahoan Foods in Idaho Falls is seeking an experienced Automation/Controls Engineer to develop and enforce OT standards for PLC, HMI, SCADA, and industrial networks, while collaborating across plants. You will lead disaster recovery, troubleshoot complex automation issues, design new architectures, and coordinate with engineering, IT, operations, and contractors to ensure safe, reliable production.

The role requires a strong background in Rockwell Automation, PLC programming, instrumentation,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Associate degree with 5+ years automation experience.
• Five+ years PLC programming and controls integration; Rockwell experience preferred.
• Competent in instrumentation for installation and testing new technologies.
• Strong reading, writing and presentation skills; able to communicate to all levels.

Responsibilities

• Develop and enforce OT standards for PLC, HMI, SCADA and industrial networks.
• Coordinate and execute disaster recovery plans with regular validation tests.
• Develop and maintain HMI/SCADA standards to improve operator effectiveness.
• Diagnose and repair PLC logic, I/O, networks, sensors, and motor control issues.
• Design and implement new PLC/control architectures with modular code.
• Install, configure and tune motor drives and servo systems for safe operation.
• Liaise between engineering, IT, operations, maintenance and contractors.
• Lead equipment commissioning and start-up with proper operator training.
• Escalate complex failures and coordinate cross‑department responses.
• Communicate system changes and maintenance windows to leadership.
• Participate in after-hours on-call rotation.
• Foster a positive work environment and conduct performance evaluations.

Skills

PLC programming

Rockwell Automation

Automation systems

Analytical skills

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Associate degree in technical field

Journeyman Electrician license

Tools

HMI/SCADA

Job description

Come join our table! At Idahoan Foods, we bring people and families together by providing high quality, convenient food that delights and nourishes lives. As a top 20 household penetration CPG brand, when you join our table, you’re joining a team that aims high and values collaboration, continuous improvement, sustainable sourcing and innovation, active engagement in the community, and doing the right thing. We understand that it’s our team members that serve as the foundation of our ambitious future and we’re committed to knowing you, growing you, and celebrating you.

Main Responsibilities

• Develop and enforce company‑wide OT standards for PLC, HMI, SCADA, and industrial network architecture, ensuring all plants follow uniform, supportable, and secure system designs. This includes writing programming standards, template structures, and change‑management procedures.
• Coordinate and execute disaster recovery plans, performing regular validation tests to ensure system backups and failover mechanisms work during real incidents.
• Develop and maintain HMI/SCADA standards, including color conventions, alarm management, graphical symbols, navigation workflow, and historian tag standards, to improve operator effectiveness and reduce training time.
• Diagnose and repair complex automation failures, including PLC logic issues, I/O card failures, broken communication networks, failed sensors, and motor control problems, ensuring minimal production downtime.
• Design and implement new PLC or control system architectures, including writing structured, modular code for new processes, modifying existing logic, and adhering to version control practices.
• Install, configure, and tune motor control systems, including AC/DC variable‑frequency drives, soft starters, and servo systems, ensuring equipment operates safely within design limits.
• Act as the primary technical liaison between engineering, IT, operations, maintenance, and external contractors during equipment installation, controls integration, or system troubleshooting.
• Lead equipment commissioning and start‑up, ensuring automation systems meet functional design specifications and operators receive proper training before handoff.
• Serve as the escalation point for complex electrical or control system failures, leading rapid troubleshooting efforts and coordinating cross‑department responses when downtime occurs.
• Provide proactive communication to operations and plant leadership regarding system changes, risk areas, upcoming maintenance windows, and potential impacts to production.
• Participate in after‑hours on‑call rotation, responding to network outages, PLC faults, and critical equipment alarms to protect product quality and continuous operation.
• Foster a positive and productive work environment, encouraging teamwork and professional development. Conduct performance evaluations for team members, providing constructive feedback and setting goals for improvements. Address performance issues and disciplinary matters in accordance with company policies and procedures. Maintain documentation of employee development or disciplinary actions.
• Actively manage employees, which includes, but is not limited to communicating job expectations, addressing performance concerns, managing attendance, issuing disciplinary actions when needed, investigating, and resolving employee issues, reducing turnover through employee engagement, and recognizing employees.
• Follows and enforces all GMP, safety, and plant rules.

Qualifications/Required Skills

• Education and/or Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering OR Associate (2‑year) degree in a technical field with a minimum of 5 years of relevant manufacturing, electrical, or automation experience, OR Journeyman Electrician License with 5–10 years of relevant experience.
• Five or more years of experience with PLC programming, automation systems, and controls integration; Rockwell Automation experience preferred.
• Be competent in instrumentation for installation and innovation in trialing new technologies.
• Language Skills: Ability to read, comprehend, and compose instructions, correspondence, and memos. Exhibits effective speaking and written communication skills. Ability to conduct professional and compelling presentations and respond to questions from groups of equipment operators, managers, and senior executives within the Company. Effectively organizes and facilitates meetings.
• Reasoning Ability: Possesses strong analytical, quantitative, communication, problem solving, and technical skills. Can creatively apply experience, common sense, and a strategic and economical business perspective to a variety of situations, processes, and people. Demonstrates the self‑confidence and maturity to make decisions and solve problems with minimal direction. Organized and able to manage and prioritize multiple projects simultaneously.
• Interpersonal Skills: Team player, flexible and accepts changing assignments and accountabilities.

Other Details

• Work Environment: The work environment is a traditional office. Individual must be capable of carrying up to 35 lbs. on occasion. Must be flexible to occasionally work overtime during the week, weekends, and holidays. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Alignment With Core Values Of The Company

• Respect & Value Our People
• Stay in Front of Change While Reducing Costs
• Delight Our Customers
• Food Quality & Safety