Automation Supervisor

Valley Queen Cheese Factory, Inc.; Milbank (SD); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Valley Queen Cheese Factory, Inc. seeks a controls supervisor to lead the controls/maintenance team at the Milbank plant. You will drive PLC code development, SCADA architecture, and maintenance planning to ensure safe, compliant production operations.

You will interpret drawings and P&IDs, address root causes, and maintain accurate Emaint records while supporting GMP/HACCP standards. The role includes on-call rotations and minimal travel.

Qualifications

• Requires High school diploma or GED; associate degree preferred.
• Associate degree in a related technical field or equivalent controls experience.
• 3–5 years supervisory experience in a food manufacturing facility preferred.
• Knowledge of ammonia refrigeration is a plus.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead controls/maintenance staff to complete work and projects on time and to quality standards.
• Develop PLC code and SCADA control system architecture.
• Read electrical drawings, P&IDs, and manuals to perform tasks.
• Identify root causes of plant issues and implement permanent fixes.
• Oversee preventive repairs and ensure accurate Emaint data and work orders.
• Maintain plant utility systems and ensure safety, GMP and HACCP compliance.
• Participate in PSM requirements and emergency response.

Skills

Supervisory experience

PLC programming

SCADA knowledge

Root cause analysis

English/Spanish bilingual

Safety awareness

Education

Associate degree in related technical field

High school diploma/GED

Tools

Ammonia refrigeration knowledge

Job description

Position Summary

This position is responsible for all controls activities for the entire plant in a manner that supports Valley Queen’s vision, mission and values.This is a highly technical, fast-paced position which requires a high level of prioritization, planning and decision-making abilities. Provides leadership to all department employees and serves as a back up to the Maintenance Manager.

Essential Functions

• Coach, train and lead controls/maintenance staff to ensure assigned work and projects are completed in an acceptable time frame while meeting the quality requirements of the department. Utilize available work force to its full potential.
• Perform highly diversified duties to install, calibrate and maintain food processing, production controls and instrumentation equipment.
• Develop PLC code and SCADA control system architecture.
• Read and interpret equipment manuals, electrical drawings, P&IDs and work orders to perform required tasks.
• Identify root cause of plant and production equipment issues and put new programs and procedures in place to permanently address issues.
• Provide oversight to technicians doing planned, unplanned and preventive repairs of all plant equipment in a premier manner that achieves work order goals.
• Maintain equipment manuals, Emaint data and work orders so that the department has current and correct resources.
• Maintain 100 percent accuracy on all Emaint transactions.
• Ensure all controls calls are responded to in an appropriate timeframe.
• Maintain the corrective action database (CAD) to be current within 30 days.
• Maintain plant utility systems in a manner that does not cause any production downtime.
• Ensure technicians safely and properly operate plant utility systems (steam, air handling, ammonia, compressed air, electrical, water and sewer).
• Actively participate in and adhere to all PSM requirements.
• Actively participate as a member of the emergency response team.
• Comply with all company safety rules to achieve no injuries and no lost time accidents.
• Maintain standard records pertaining to daily work requirements in a manner that makes them a reliable data source for safety, quality and regulatory requirements and audits.
• Understand and adhere to all GMPs and HACCP policies and procedures and perform all work in a manner that ensures the highest standard of food safety and quality.
• Use tools, spare parts and supplies in a responsible manner yielding maximum profitability for VQC while maintaining equipment and facility to the highest possible standard.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Understand and contribute to the success of the department’s level 2 scorecard.
• Technical Capacity
• Problem Solving/Analysis
• Time Management/Initiative

Supervisory Responsibility

This position hires, provide guidance and directionand is responsible for the performance management of the controls team.

Work Environment

This job operates in an office, shop and plant environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, moving mechanical parts and vibration. Exposed to extreme temperature variations. The noise level in the work environment and job sites can be loud.

Physical Demands

Please refer to the separate functional job description for this position.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position. This position works a 9.5-hour shift following a Monday through Friday schedule which includes some weekends and holidays. This position is part of an on-call rotation.

Travel

Less than five percent travel is expected for this position.

Required Education, Experience & Certifications

High school diploma/GED. Associate degree in related technical field or equivalent number of years of controls experience. Proficiency in basic computer skills.

Preferred Education, Experience & Certifications

Prefer three to five years of supervisory experience in a food manufacturing facility. Knowledge of ammonia refrigeration. Bilingual in English/Spanish.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

Minimum age requirement is 18.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of responsibilities, duties or tasks that are required of the employee for this job. Responsibilities, duties and tasks may change at any time with or without notice.