Automation Engineer

Flora Food Group; Hugoton (KS); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Flora Food Group in Hugoton, Kansas is seeking a hands-on automation engineer to own and run the automation landscape at our new dairy manufacturing facility. You will program, configure, and sustain Rockwell PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems to keep production reliable and safe.

You’ll lead automation capital projects from design through commissioning, manage server virtualization and industrial networking, and collaborate with operations, maintenance, and global engineering teams to drive uptime and

Qualifications

• Experience with Rockwell PLC and HMI programming in industrial settings.
• Proven ability to lead automation projects from design to commissioning.
• Experience with server virtualization and industrial networks.

Responsibilities

• Program, configure, and maintain PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems on Rockwell platform.
• Lead automation capital projects from design through commissioning with cross-functional teams.
• Manage server virtualization and industrial network infrastructure to ensure stability and security.
• Troubleshoot automation faults in real time to minimize downtime and maintain product quality.
• Develop and maintain preventive maintenance programs and documentation for automation assets.

Tools

Rockwell Automation Studio

Job description

Location

On-Site at our facility in Hugoton, Kansas

Why this role matters

In your first year, you will establish and own the automation function at Flora Food Group’s new dairy manufacturing facility in Hugoton. Your work will ensure smooth, reliable production of processed milk, creamers, and cream cheeses by delivering robust automation systems and resolving faults quickly. This role is critical to building a foundation for operational excellence and innovation in dairy processing, directly impacting the quality and consistency of the food we bring to kitchens. Your expertise will shape how automation supports our mission to create better food, every day.

What You'll Do

• Program, configure, and maintain PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems on the Rockwell Automation platform to keep production running efficiently.
• Lead automation capital projects from design through commissioning, coordinating with suppliers and global teams to deliver on time and on budget.
• Manage server virtualization and industrial network infrastructure to ensure system stability and security.
• Troubleshoot and resolve automation faults in real time to minimize downtime and maintain product quality.
• Develop and maintain preventive maintenance programs and documentation for all automation assets.

Performance

You will own the full automation landscape at the Hugoton site, driving uptime and system reliability inch by inch. Your data-driven approach will reduce production interruptions and support continuous improvement initiatives. By delivering projects and maintaining systems with precision, you will enable the plant to meet its production targets and uphold Flora Food Group’s standards for better food.

Care

This role reports to the Plant Engineering Manager and works closely with operations, maintenance, and global engineering teams. You will foster collaboration across functions to ensure automation solutions are safe, compliant, and sustainable. Your leadership in preventive maintenance and lifecycle management will protect critical assets and support long-term plant performance.

Passion

You are a hands-on automation expert who loves solving complex challenges in food manufacturing. Your curiosity about dairy processing and commitment to food safety drive you to innovate and raise the bar. You take pride in crafting reliable systems that support the taste, nutrition, and functionality of our products, contributing to a more delicious and sustainable future.

About You

You bring strong technical skills in Rockwell Automation PLC and HMI programming, server virtualization, and industrial networking. You have experience leading automation projects and troubleshooting in food or dairy manufacturing environments. You are a self-starter who thrives in a greenfield setting, balancing daily operational demands with strategic delivery. Your communication skills help you collaborate effectively across teams and with external partners.

You are genuinely interested in food culture and curious about how consumer behaviour and future food trends shape innovation. You understand that strong brands are built by anticipating what’s next in taste, nutrition and functionality, and by translating insight into meaningful consumer experiences.

Where this could lead to

This role typically leads to senior leadership positions within plant engineering or automation management, with opportunities to influence multi-site automation strategies. Over time, you could shape broader digital transformation initiatives across Flora Food Group’s manufacturing network.

What's Next

If this opportunity sounds exciting, we'd love to hear from you.

We understand your resume might not be up to date and recommend that you apply with what you have or your LinkedIn Profile. Flora Food Group is dedicated to building an inclusive and diverse workplace, we understand that you might not meet all the requirements stated in the description, but we encourage you to apply anyway. You might be the right candidate for this role or other roles.

Diversity and inclusion

Flora Food Group is an employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and equal opportunities for all. We recruit based only on values, qualifications, performance, skills, behaviours, experience, and knowledge. We ensure job advertisements are free from unintentional bias.

No personal characteristics should be a barrier to joining Flora Food Group. We prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or other personal characteristics.