Controls Specialist Automation Technician

Champion Foods LLC; New Boston (MI); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Champion Foods in New Boston region operates a high‑tech bakery environment seeking a Controls Specialist Automation Technician. You will support manufacturing automation, troubleshoot electrical and control systems, and train production staff.

The role emphasizes safety, efficiency, and reliability across multiple shifts. Ideal candidates bring six+ years of industrial maintenance or equivalent automation education, with strong experience in Wonderware, AB PLCs, PanelView, servo controls, and

Qualifications

• Six years of industrial maintenance experience or advanced automation education.
• Proficiency in automation controls and PLC programming.
• Minimum assessment level required for Maintenance Technician III.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair manufacturing equipment, utilities, and facility.
• Provide troubleshooting and repair of facility electrical equipment including single and three phase AC, and DC circuits.
• Execute position requirements with little or no supervision.
• Assist in writing and revising maintenance SOPs.
• Must have significant experience with process control and power distribution.
• Read and interpret manuals, schematics, and P&IDs.

Skills

Wonderware

AB Control Logix

AB PLC 5000

PanelView

Indramat Servco

Ethernet/DeviceNet

UNIX/Windows

Kinetix servo

Vision systems

Education

Industrial maintenance experience

Tools

PLC programming tools

Job description

Craft Your Career with Champion Foods – A Slice of Opportunity Awaits!

Champion Foods, a pizza trailblazer, is expanding, and we're looking for dynamic talents to enhance our innovative and quality-driven team. We produce products cherished by families nationwide and pride ourselves on our entrepreneurial spirit, commitment to quality, and a warm workplace culture that feels like family. If you're passionate, eager to grow, and want to work for a company that values each voice and champions personal development, your next career adventure starts here. Join us, and let's craft great things together, one delicious slice at a time.

Your Mission:

The Controls Specialist Automation Technician position provides general controls, programming, instrumentation, electrical, & mechanical support to the manufacturing facility in the areas of manufacturing automation equipment. This position requires competency in the troubleshooting, analysis, and repair of automated mechanical and electrical equipment. The Controls Specialist Automation Technician employs a positive, professional attitude at all times, and communicates effectively in a team environment that includes personnel from engineering, management, maintenance, production, sanitation, quality assurance.

What You'll Do:

• Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair manufacturing equipment, utilities, and facility. Share knowledge of applicable automation, controls, & PLC concepts/principles to other maintenance personnel.
• Provide troubleshooting and repair of facility electrical equipment that includes single phase AC circuits, three phase AC circuits and DC circuits.
• Execute position requirements with little or no supervision.
• Assist in writing and revising maintenance department standard operating procedures.
• Must have significant experience with process control and power distribution.
• Read and interpret mechanical and electrical manuals/ schematics and P&ID’S as required.
• Provide operating instructions and/or training of production line manufacturing equipment to other facility associates.
• Perform preventive maintenance tasks as scheduled and report and qualify results.
• Generate various types of reports and documents (i.e. shift summaries, test results, project write –ups, etc.)
• Complete work order tasks as assigned and report results
• Troubleshoot and resolve control system problems associated with hardware and software contained within the facilities PLC, Servo controller, operator interface, and VFD systems.
• Maintain and troubleshoot various types of field instrumentation (i.e. pressure transmitters, RTD’s, load cells, etc.) and their interfaces to the control systems.
• Provide technical assistance to reduce /eliminate issues associated with equipment, performance, quality and safety.
• Provide assistance in determining the specifications and requirements of spare parts under the department’s spare parts program.
• Perform special projects from time to time as assigned by maintenance management in a cost effective and timely manner.
• Inform the appropriate facility personnel of any necessary modifications or system malfunctions that would affect their area of operation.
• Utilize existing and future maintenance management systems effectively.
• Communicate effectively with outside vendors and equipment manufactures.
• Maintain a safe and neat working area in compliance with all OSHA, FDA and Food Plant regulations.
• Maintain a proactive attitude to ensure maximum efficiency and longer run-time of production line manufacturing equipment.
• Ensure that production line equipment is left in a functional state for subsequent shifts.
• Performs work in a safe manner and works within company policies.
• Be proficient with the standard Microsoft office software packages (Windows, Outlook, Word, Excel, etc)
• Perform non-technical assignments as requested by management.
• Maintain tools in good working condition and report damaged tools immediately.
• Perform other and incidental duties as assigned.

What You'll Bring:

• Must have strong programming skills with the following hardware and software: Wonderware; AB Control Logix, AB PLC 5000 series; AB panel views, AB & Indramat Servco Controllers; Ethernet & Device Net Communications; UNIX & Windows OS, Kinetix servo control & trouble shooting, connected components workbench software. Panelview and ME software. vision systems.
• Must possess at least six (6) years of industrial maintenance experience or advanced education in automation controls, PLC, programming, electrical, mechanical, and electronics.
• Must obtain the minimum assessment level required for a Maintenance Technician III as established by the maintenance department.

Where You'll Work:

Welcome to the heart of pizza innovation! At our 144,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art bakery, you'll be part of a dynamic and fast-paced environment where bakery innovation meets cutting-edge technology. Imagine walking into a vibrant atmosphere where the aroma of freshly baked crusts and spices fills the air, and every day is an opportunity to craft mouth-watering pizzas.

Our bakery boasts the latest in food production technology, ensuring that our pizzas are not only tasty but also consistently high in quality. You'll work alongside passionate and dedicated team members. Our collaborative atmosphere encourages idea-sharing and innovation, making it the perfect place for those eager to make an impact.

Located in Gaffney, South Carolina, our bakery has many amenities that will make your workday enjoyable and convenient. You'll find that our bakery is more than just a workplace – it's a place where your contributions genuinely matter, and you can grow your career in the food industry.

• Works in a variety of locations in the building as well as some outside work. Production areas, offices, freezers, common areas, elevators and restrooms, silos, as well as on the roof. Position may require continuous standing, squatting, lifting, sitting, bending and moving of heavy weight (over 50 pounds) material in difficult work positions.
• The ability to work in confined spaces (permit required areas) and complete all height related assignments.

Disclaimer:

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements.