Automation Technician

Cencora; Kansas; Remote; USD 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative company is seeking a Feed Mill Automation Technician to ensure the timely feeding of cattle through advanced automation systems. This remote role, requiring travel, involves troubleshooting, installation, and training staff on complex software and hardware systems. Join a team dedicated to improving health outcomes for both people and animals, and enjoy a supportive work culture that values your contributions. If you are a self-starter with a passion for technology and agriculture, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Benefits

Health Coverage

Wellness Programs

Professional Development

Mentorship

Employee Resource Groups

Volunteer Activities

Qualifications

• Understanding PCB software for automation and troubleshooting.
• Experience with cattle feeding or agricultural businesses is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Install, service, and support the PCB system in feed mills.
• Train staff on PCB usage and perform on-site troubleshooting.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Communication Skills

Knowledge of PLCs

Understanding of Network Concepts

Bi-lingual (Spanish)

Education

Bachelor's or Associate degree in Animal Science

Formal training in a technical field

Tools

Micro Technologies Pro Control Batching system

PCs

PLCs

AccuTrac system

Job description

Our team members are at the heart of everything we do. At Cencora, we are united in our responsibility to create healthier futures, and every person here is essential to us being able to deliver on that purpose. If you want to make a difference at the center of health, come join our innovative company and help us improve the lives of people and animals everywhere. Apply today!

Job Details

The Feed Mill Automation Technician is responsible for installing, servicing, and supporting the Micro Technologies Pro Control Batching (PCB) system. No other system at Micro has a higher liability or urgency to be fixed if anything goes wrong. Cattle must be fed in a timely manner, and mis-feeding either macro or micro ingredients has very significant negative consequences for both Micro and the customer.

*This is a remote position based out of Kansas or Texas and does require travel up to 50% of the time.

1. Having a full understanding of the PCB software that has been customized to automate over 250 unique customer configurations. This learning curve is steep.
2. Real-time troubleshooting problems that cover the gamut: software, hardware, human mistakes and misunderstandings, power outages, mill equipment failure, electrical malfunctions, etc. This learning curve is even steeper, and there is almost always a time factor that increases the pressure to do this quickly, especially in early morning hours.
3. Testing, configuration, and installation of the components that we supply that interact with the customer's equipment in the feed mill. Our hardware is very diverse: PLCs, computers, outdoor displays, flow meters, valves, scale indicators, serial port servers, network equipment, tablets, UPS, etc. This on-site process often requires long hours.
4. Testing of new or updated software configurations before they're installed in the field. This includes understanding design and development notes and asking good questions about how to best test the software.
5. Training managers, consultants, partner vendors, mill managers, and feed crew members (some of whom speak no English) in how to use PCB.
6. Consulting with managers and consultants to develop best solutions.
7. Post-installation travel to the customer site to diagnose problems, replace defective hardware, and perform special training.
8. Setting up, in conjunction with other teams, our Micro Weigh System (MWS) to discharge into each batch ensuring correct micro rations, proper micro ingredient introduction, adequate mixing time, and micro slurry integration, which is critical.
9. Updating individual PCB systems regularly for application and OS software to ensure performance and cybersecurity.
10. Performing regular checks with customers to ensure PCB is functioning optimally, including calibration checks and inventory monitoring.
11. Supporting interfaces with feed management systems, including our own AccuTrac system and partner vendors, understanding how ration/ingredient integration works, and improvising if batching responsibilities shift temporarily.
12. Understanding network concepts, working with IT to set up PCB equipment properly, and diagnosing network issues.
13. Participating in gathering information before new installations or upgrades to ensure proper configuration.
14. Participating in a weekly on-call rotation to support PCB systems outside normal hours, including Tier-1 support for MWS calls.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor or Associate degree, preferably in Animal Science, Feedlot Management, Animal Nutrition, or Electrical Engineering.
• Or two years of formal training in a technical field.

Skills & Knowledge

• Valid driver's license, with frequent travel in the U.S.
• Knowledge of PCs, PLCs, operating systems, databases, software engines, and related software is desirable.
• Experience with cattle feeding or agricultural businesses is desirable.
• Overnight travel required, up to 50% at times.
• Strong communication skills.
• Self-starter who works well in a team.
• Bi-lingual (Spanish) is a plus.
• Willing to participate in an on-call rotation every 7 weeks.

What Cencora offers

We provide competitive compensation, benefits, and resources that foster an inclusive culture and support our team members' purpose-driven work. Benefits include health coverage, wellness programs, support for families, training, professional development, mentorship, employee resource groups, volunteer activities, and more. For details, visit https://www.virtualfairhub.com/cencora.

Employment Details

Full-time position.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Cencora is committed to providing equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other protected classes. We also provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities during the employment process. To request accommodations, contact 888.692.2272 or [e-mail].

Affiliated Companies

MWI Veterinary Supply Company