E-Tech/PLC/Process Control Trainee

Lactalis American Group; Wisconsin; On-site; USD 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off from day one

Education Reimbursement

Retirement contributions

Job summary

Lactalis American Group in Belmont, WI is hiring an E-Tech/PLC/Process Control Trainee. This role is a pathway into industrial automation, offering hands-on training in PLC programming, HMI development, robotics, and process control.

You will learn from experienced maintenance and automation professionals while applying your IT skills to support and improve automated manufacturing systems. The program aims to develop you into a Controls Specialist or Automation Technician.

Qualifications

• Diploma or Degree in IT, CS, Automation Technology, or related field.
• Strong computer troubleshooting skills.
• Basic understanding of networking concepts.
• Experience supporting hardware, software, servers, or network infrastructure.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to learn new technologies quickly.
• Willingness to work in a manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot and support automated control systems.
• Develop PLC programming skills under guidance of experienced personnel.
• Support and maintain HMI systems and industrial computers.
• Gain experience with industrial networks and control system integration.
• Participate in automation projects and equipment upgrades.
• Assist with system testing, commissioning and startup activities.
• Help maintain automation documentation and program backups.
• Conduct daily reviews of system performance and identify opportunities for improvement.

Skills

IT troubleshooting

Networking basics

Industrial automation

PLC programming

Education

IT/CS/Automation degree

Tools

Databases

Networking infra

Job description

Ready for more than just a job? Build a career with purpose.
At Lactalis in the USA, we’re committed to providing meaningful opportunities for our people to learn, grow, and thrive—whether you’re just starting your journey with us or looking to take the next step in your career. From day one, we offer the tools and support to help you succeed.

As the world leader in dairy, Lactalis is a family-owned company with over 85,000 pragmatic and ambitious professionals across the globe. Each day, we’re proud to produce award-winning dairy products that bring people together.

In the US, we proudly offer an unrivaled house of beloved brands, including Galbani® Italian cheeses and ricotta, Président® specialty cheeses and butters, Kraft® natural and grated cheeses, Breakstone’s® cottage cheese, Cracker Barrel®, Black Diamond® cheddar, and Parmalat® milk. Our yogurt portfolio includes siggi’s®, Stonyfield Organic®, Brown Cow™, Oui®, Yoplait®, Go-Gurt®, :ratio®, Green Mountain Creamery®, and Mountain High®, along with a growing family of ethnic favorites like Karoun®, Gopi®, and Arz®.

At Lactalis, we live by our core values—Ambition, Engagement, and Simplicity. We foster a workplace where innovation thrives, diverse perspectives are celebrated, and everyone’s unique background and ideas are valued.

From your PASSION to ours

Lactalis American Group, part of the Lactalis family of companies, is currently hiring a E-Tech/PLC/Process Control Trainee based in Belmont, WI. This position is an excellent opportunity for an IT professional looking to transition into industrial automation, process controls, and manufacturing technology. The successful candidate will apply their existing computer, networking, troubleshooting, and technology skills while developing expertise in PLC programming, HMI development, robotics, process control, instrumentation, and industrial automation systems. Working alongside experienced maintenance and automation professionals, the candidate will receive hands‑on training and mentoring to develop the technical skills required to support and improve automated manufacturing systems. This role provides a pathway toward becoming a Controls Specialist, Automation Technician, Controls Engineer, Reliability Engineer, or Maintenance Leader.

Requirements

From your EXPERTISE to ours

Key responsibilities for this position include:

• Learn to troubleshoot and support automated control systems throughout the facility.
• Develop PLC programming skills under the guidance of experienced automation personnel.
• Learn to support and maintain HMI systems and industrial computers.
• Gain experience with industrial communication networks and control system integration.
• Participate in automation projects and equipment upgrades.
• Learn process control concepts and industrial instrumentation.
• Assist with troubleshooting automation and process control issues.
• Support maintenance and production teams in resolving equipment-related problems.
• Work with experienced programmers on PLC modifications and enhancements.
• Participate in system testing, commissioning, and startup activities.
• Help maintain automation documentation and program backups.
• Conduct daily reviews of system performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Assist with calibration and troubleshooting of sensors and instrumentation.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives throughout the facility.
• Participate in on‑call support as skills and training progress.

From your STORY to ours

Qualified applicants will contribute the following:

• Diploma or Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Computer Engineering Technology, Automation Technology, or a related technical field.
• Strong computer troubleshooting skills.
• Basic understanding of networking concepts.
• Experience supporting hardware, software, servers, workstations, or network infrastructure.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities.
• Ability to learn new technologies quickly.
• Willingness to work in a manufacturing environment.
• Exposure to programming concepts preferred.
• Experience with databases, networking, or system administration preferred.
• Interest in automation, robotics, manufacturing technology, or industrial controls preferred.
• Experience troubleshooting technical systems preferred.

At Lactalis, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Program with a variety of affordable benefits and coverage options. We support insurance costs significantly, contribute generously to retirement plans, and offer Paid Time Off from day one. We are committed to your professional growth, providing training and development opportunities, including Education Reimbursement. Join us and grow your career.

Lactalis is an equal employment opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against applicants with regard to any legally-recognized basis including, but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities. Further, any division of the Company that is an affirmative action employer will comply with all related legal obligations.