Plant Automation Specialist

Continental Dairy Facilities Southwest LLC (CDFSW); Littlefield (TX); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Select Milk Producers seeks a Plant Automation Specialist to support process control systems and projects. You will collaborate with maintenance and operations to ensure reliable control, optimize alarms, and train users on new and modified systems.

The role requires strong Allen Bradley/RSLogix experience, IEC 61131-3 programming, and hands-on troubleshooting of PLCs, HMI, and networking equipment across a dairy processing environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three (3) years maintenance experience in industrial control system development and troubleshooting.
• Must have proven experience with PLCs: Allen Bradley.
• Must have proven experience with HMI or SCADA software packages Wonderware, Rockwell, ControlNet, Device Net.
• Strong PLC skills with system administrative and maintenance activities, and hardware and software troubleshooting.
• Experience programming in IEC 61131-3 compliant languages such as RSLogix 5000.
• An associate degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering or Technology or related military service training programs. Additional professional training.
• Additional experience with machinery repair and control systems.
• Additional training as an industrial electrician.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day technical support on process control systems and related tasks.
• Improve process control systems through Advanced Process Control and Alarm Management.
• Maintain PLCs, HMIs, VFDs and related controls.
• Train end users on operations of installed systems.
• Inspect and repair instruments and controls from raw materials to finished product.
• Work with team to plan, analyze and control process quality.
• Provide technical training to lower-level personnel.
• Manage daily operations in absence of supervisor.
• Maintain and update process control servers and network systems.

Skills

PLC programming

Allen Bradley

HMI/SCADA

RSLogix 5000

IEC 61131-3

Troubleshooting

Industrial automation

Education

Associate degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering

Professional training

Industrial electrician training

Military service training programs

Tools

Wonderware

Rockwell Automation

ControlNet

DeviceNet

Job description

Select Milk Producers is one of the nation's largest and most progressive dairy cooperatives, with 32 wholly owned subsidiaries, 8 processing plants, and 8 joint ventures including Continental Dairy Facilities, Continental Dairy Facilities Southwest, Mill Haven Foods, Select Custom Solutions, GreenLink and Select Services. With over 800 employees, the Select Milk family of companies impacts all aspects of the dairy farm business and at the heart of our family of companies, is you. "We strive to go above and beyond what's expected in providing for our families, leading our employees, caring for our land and animals, serving our customers, producing quality milk, and serving one another. This commitment is more than our business, it's in our culture and our character. We believe in being accountable, in doing what's right, in performing at our best, in setting a higher standard."

Select Milk Producers and its subsidiaries offer an attractive compensation and a best-in-class benefits package that includes but is not limited medical, vision, dental, life insurance and more that can be tailored for you and your family. Other benefits for eligible employees include 401(k) up to 6% company match, life and disability insurance, and paid holidays & vacation. We are proud to promote an equal employment opportunity workplace.

SUMMARY OF FUNCTIONS:

The Plant Automation Specialist continuously evaluates the existing process control systems for reliability of control and effectiveness.

In fulfilling these roles, the Plant Automation Specialist works closely with team department members, maintenance, and operations.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide day-to-day technical support on process control systems and process control related tasks. Support implementation of new projects by configuring control modules, batch programs, and HMI graphics.
• Continually improve process control systems through Advanced Process Control, Alarm Management, and Operator Interface Optimization.
• Responsible for all computer integration of PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, and process controls.
• Responsible for training of end users on the operations of newly installed or modified process or control systems.
• Perform routine and specialized duties in the repair and maintenance of instruments and controls involved in bringing materials from a raw state to a state that is ready for our customers.
• Work as part of a team to plan, analyze and control the quality of processes.
• Provide technical training to lower-level personnel.
• Manage daily operations in absence of Maintenance Manager/supervisor.
• Inspect, repair, and adjust Programmable Logic Controls (PLC), and Human Machine Interfaces (HMI), and related equipment using electrical test equipment, circuit diagrams, schematics, and blueprints.
• Process technicians must work to arrange for repair and replacement of instruments and control systems that fail to operate. They must continuously monitor all operation processes so that a malfunction is immediately recognized and corrected.
• Responsible for the maintenance and updating of all process control servers.
• Responsible for the maintenance and updating of all network systems.
• Responsible for the maintenance and updating of all interfaces between process control, business systems, and all other network systems including Tetra Plant Master.
• Other duties as may be assigned.
• Member of the Food Safety Team and Food Quality Team.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of three (3) years maintenance experience in industrial control system development and troubleshooting.
• Must have proven experience with the following PLCs: Allen Bradley.
• Must have proven experience with the following HMI or SCADA software packages Wonderware, Rockwell, ControlNet, Device Net.
• Strong PLC skills with expertise in system administrative and maintenance activities, and hardware and software troubleshooting.
• Experience programming in multiple languages that are IEC 61131-3 compliant, such as RSLogix 5000.
• An associate degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering or Technology or related military service training programs. Additional professional training.
• Additional experience with machinery repair and control systems.
• Additional training as an industrial electrician.

As you pour milk over your cereal or add it your coffee, do you ever stop and think where does it come from? I know, silly question - cows! But have you ever thought further, like where do these cows live? How are they treated? Select Milk Producers, Inc. takes that guesswork out. You can rest assured that the more than 10 billion pounds of milk that Select Milk produces each year comes from innovative sustainable farming and extraordinary animal care and comfort. Select Milk formed in 1994 out of a desire by a group of family dairy producers to develop a national footprint for the perfect milk. Founded on honesty, trust, and quality, Select Milk believes in providing their customers with the highest quality fresh milk and doesn't settle for anything less. Select Milk believes in operating all aspects of their business with the highest standards, including its cooperative of 99 family dairy farm members.

"We strive to go above and beyond what's expected in providing for our families, leading our employees, caring for our land and animals, serving our customers, producing quality milk, and serving one another. This commitment is more than our business, it's in our culture and our character. We believe in being accountable, in doing what's right, in performing at our best, in setting a higher standard."