Automation Specialist

Great Lakes Cheese, Inc; Manchester (TN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Great Lakes Cheese, Inc. is seeking an Automation Specialist to manage plant automation and control systems.

Responsibilities include responding to production requests, maintaining PLC/HMI systems, updating HMIs, and supporting MES and Wonderware-based systems. The role requires a strong background in Rockwell PLC hardware/software, RSLogix, and Wonderware expertise, plus the ability to lead multiple projects and coordinate with maintenance and IT teams.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school.
• 5 years of related experience and/or training or more.
• Fundamental understanding of manufacturing processes.
• Broad depth of experience and knowledge of production machinery and equipment.
• Ability to write PLC programs and make necessary changes.
• Ability to lead/organize multiple projects and resources.
• Ability to make sound, independent decisions based on functional expertise and experience.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, troubleshoot and problem solve.

Responsibilities

• Respond to production requests for immediate attention to production issues and problems.
• Monitor, maintain and support plant-wide automation systems.
• Update HMIs and computer systems as advised by the IT department.
• Support and troubleshoot the Wonderware-based factory management and control system.
• Perform maintenance on PLC’s and HMI’s systems including backups of PLC programs.
• Assist with MES activities and coordination.
• Maintain and troubleshoot electrical/electronic systems and general production line equipment.
• Identify problem areas and address with permanent solutions.
• Provide input for helping to ensure that line layouts and implementation are efficient and timely.
• When assigned, coordinate plant and contractor activities to ensure timelines are met.
• Identify process improvement opportunities and lead approved projects within the plant to attain desired goals
• Work with the Maintenance Supervisor to utilize in house resources and coordinate outside contractors as needed for approved projects.
• Work with plant personnel to identify savings and justification for projects.
• Provide leadership in bringing approved projects to a successful completion.
• Work with Production to identify downtime issues and implement permanent solutions.
• Gather and examine basic reliability data from floor observations or data base and correlate for analysis using well defined engineering techniques, principles and procedures.
• Work with plant personnel to drive root cause and failure analysis to avoid future failures.
• Provide production coverage in times of need or when issues arise that require specific expertise.
• All GLC employees are expected to perform any assignment or job task according to the stated safety policies and procedures.
• All GLC employees are expected to produce our products in a manner that exceeds the quality and value expectation of our customers and consumers by adhering to Good Manufacturing Practices, Policies and Procedures outlined in our Safe Quality Food Program.
• Other responsibilities as assigned by the manager.

Skills

PLC programming

Project leadership

Troubleshooting

Root cause analysis

Electrical/electronic systems

Education

Associate’s degree or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field

Tools

Rockwell PLC hardware/software

Wonderware MES / InTouch development

RSLogix

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

The Automation Specialist works in activities relating to the automation and control of machinery and systems in the plant.

Job Responsibilities

• Respond to production requests for immediate attention to production issues and problems.
• Monitor, maintain and support plant-wide automation systems.
• Update HMIs and computer systems as advised by the IT department.
• Support and troubleshoot the Wonderware-based factory management and control system.
• Perform maintenance on PLC’s and HMI’s systems including backups of PLC programs.
• Assist with MES activities and coordination.
• Maintain and troubleshoot electrical/electronic systems and general production line equipment.
• Identify problem areas and address with permanent solutions.
• Provide input for helping to ensure that line layouts and implementation are efficient and timely.
• When assigned, will coordinate plant and contractor activities to ensure timelines are met.
• Identify process improvement opportunities and lead approved projects within the plant to attain desired goals
• Work with the Maintenance Supervisor to utilize in house resources and coordinate outside contractors as needed for approved projects.
• Work with plant personnel to identify savings and justification for projects.
• Provide leadership in bringing approved projects to a successful completion.
• Work with Production to identify downtime issues and implement permanent solutions.
• Gather and examine basic reliability data from floor observations or data base and correlate for analysis using well defined engineering techniques, principles and procedures.
• Work with plant personnel to drive root cause and failure analysis to avoid future failures.
• Provide production coverage in times of need or when issues arise that require specific expertise.
• All GLC employees are expected to perform any assignment or job task according to the stated safety policies and procedures.
• All GLC employees are expected to produce our products in a manner that exceeds the quality and value expectation of our customers and consumers by adhering to Good Manufacturing Practices, Policies and Procedures outlined in our Safe Quality Food Program.
• Other responsibilities as assigned by the manager.

Required Education and Experience

• Associate’s degree or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school and/or commensurate experience.
• 5 years of related experience and/or training or more.
• Fundamental understanding of manufacturing processes.
• Broad depth of experience and knowledge of production machinery and equipment.
• Rockwell PLC hardware and software (ControlLogix, CompactLogix RSLogix).
• Ability to write PLC programs and make necessary changes.
• Ability to lead/organize multiple projects and resources.
• Ability to make sound, independent decisions based on functional expertise and experience.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, trouble shoot and problem solve.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field.
• 3 years of food manufacturing experience or more
• PLC programming, Wonderware MES, InTouch development, RSLogix

Working Conditions

• Ability to constantly stand/walk; bend/flex/extend neck; frequently grip/reach/lift/pull with L/R hands.
• Ability to frequently handle material from floor-to-waist, waist-to-shoulder and pushing/pulling/carrying.
• Product weight: up to 50 lbs.
• Repetitive work in a fast-paced production environment with average temperature of 50-60 degrees F.
• Hair nets, ear plugs/muffs, hardhats, and/or safety glasses may be required.

EEOC & Disclaimer

Great Lakes Cheese is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.