PLC Controls Leader - Maintenance

Hostess; Columbus (GA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Hostess is seeking a Controls Leader in Columbus, GA, responsible for optimizing power and control systems within the plant. This role involves leading technician development and system compliance, troubleshooting issues, and supporting capital initiatives.

Candidates should have a high school diploma, with preferred experience in food manufacturing and machine control hardware. The position requires effective communication skills and knowledge of Allen Bradley PLC systems.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of relevant controls experience required.
• 5 years of manufacturing experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge in machine control software and hardware.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary administrator for plant power and control systems.
• Develop power and control standards with technical leadership.
• Provide expertise in machine control applications.

Skills

Machine control hardware knowledge

Process control instrumentation

Effective communication skills

Allen Bradley PLC knowledge

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor's degree (preferred)

Tools

Rockwell FactoryTalk

Microsoft Suite applications

Proficy

Job description

Your Opportunity as the Controls Leader

The Controls Leader will provide active support with regard to power and control systems, equipment specification and maintenance, proper operation, technician development, troubleshooting and repair to achieve or exceed reliability targets within the bakery or a specific department. Throughout the plant start-up process as well as in ongoing operations, this role has responsibility for systems optimization, compliance, personnel safety and technician skill development relative to plant electrical power and process control systems.

Location

1969 Victory Dr. Columbus, GA (Hostess Manufacturing Facility)

Work Arrangements

100% on-site, Day Shift 6AM-6PM – Flexibility required. Willingness to work off shift (including nights, weekends, and/or holidays) and flow to the work as needed.

In this Role You Will

• Serve as primary administrator and troubleshooter for plant power and control systems and is a key member of plant technical leadership
• Build and maintain a sustainable system for plant E&I skill development; coach on skill assessment and development of operating and E&I technicians within the department; work with the site Technical Manager to build and maintain sustainable process and machine control onboarding and ongoing development systems for plant Process Engineers, Interns and Area Leaders
• Work with the site Technical Manager and Plant Engineer to develop power and control standards and ensure application of the standards in their area of responsibility
• Know, communicate, and ensure technician compliance to local and national regulator codes; also responsible for ensuring equipment and safe practice compliance in their area of responsibility
• Responsible for validation of the operating data from PLC into Proficy or other MES systems; support plant PEs in conditioning PLC data to accommodate effective data analysis including application development
• Own the validity and ongoing system for maintaining the site sustainability metering equipment (power monitors and usage flow meters); use the power monitoring data and developing plans to reduce overall consumption and costs
• Provide expertise in the design and implementation of machine control and process automation applications, such as control strategies, HMI design, MES applications and KPI development
• Work with site Technical Manager, other department management and technicians to identify losses, and develop plans and strategies to eliminate them, in the areas of safety, quality, reliability and cost
• Own parts or whole Key Elements for systems related to power and control system
• Work closely with engineering and operations leaders on selection and installation/start-up of new equipment; become the controls systems technical expert on new equipment and ensures the training of others
• Provide power and controls engineering support on capital initiatives in their area of responsibility
• Provide support throughout other parts of the plant on a daily basis
• Learn and apply advanced control, simulation and process modeling technologies to analyze and improve overall process and packaging operations
• Install and technical support of PLC based hardware and software
• Troubleshoot and eliminate control systems issues and handle controls projects
• Extend start up support and training for control and monitoring systems
• Execute wireless communication systems for manufacturing
• Create system map layouts, sequence of operations, drawing packages, PLC logic, and HMI screens
• Assisting in installation oversight
• Start-up and debug machines

What We are Looking For

Minimum Requirements

• A high school diploma or equivalent is required
• 2 years of relevant controls experience is required
• 5 years of manufacturing experience is required
• Strong knowledge of machine and/or process control hardware, instrumentation and software including Allen Bradley PLC and Rockwell FactoryTalk platforms
• Effective presentation, verbal, and written communication skills

Additional Skills and Experience

• A bachelor’s degree is preferred but not required
• Mechanical and electrical experience in food manufacturing is preferred
• Experience leading and influencing others is preferred
• Experience learning and integrating new technologies
• Experience leading the installation of equipment in food manufacturing environment
• Demonstrated results in manufacturing maintenance utilizing maintenance systems
• Experience with plant systems software (Proficy, Project Management, eAM, etc.)
• Understanding of technical systems and terminology
• Proficient in Microsoft Suite applications

Work Environment

This job operates in a manufacturing environment. The noise level in the work environment and manufacturing sites can be loud.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to talk and hear.
• Frequently required to stand; walk; use hands and fingers to handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
• Occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• Able to lift objects up to 50 pounds frequently.
• May push and pull heavy objects.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

We're an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, age, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status.