Lead Controls Engineer

Your Opportunity as the Lead Controls Engineer

The Lead Controls Engineer will provide active leadership 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: 2035 N Narragansett Ave, Chicago, IL 60639 (Hostess Manufacturing Facility) 

Work Arrangements: 100% on-site, Day Shift: Approximately Mon-Fri 7am-3pm (flexibility required)

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

• Builds and maintains a sustainable system for plant E&I skill development; coaches on skill assessment and development of operating and E&I technicians within the department; Works 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

• Works 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

• Knows, communicates, and ensures technician compliance to local and national regulator codes; Is 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

• Owns the validity and ongoing system for maintaining the site sustainability metering equipment (power monitors and usage flow meters); Owns using the power monitoring data and developing plans to reduce overall consumption and costs

• Provides expertise in the design and implementation of machine control and process automation applications, such as: control strategies, HMI design, MES applications and KPI development

• Works 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

• Owns parts or whole Key Elements for systems related to power and control system such as electrical safety (LOTO, Electrical PPE, Energized work permits, low voltage qualification, etc.) and Quality/CCP compliance (checkweighers, metal detectors, vision systems, ingredient flows, temperatures, etc.)

• Works closely with engineering and operations leaders on selection and installation/start-up of new equipment; Becomes the technical expert on new equipment and ensures the training of others with regard to control systems

• Serves as project manager for initiatives ranging from E&I focused projects to complete capital projects

• Provides power and controls engineering support on capital initiatives in their area of responsibility

• Provides support throughout other parts of the plant as needed on a daily basis

• Learns and applies advance control, simulation and process modeling technologies to analyze and improve overall process and packaging operations

The Right Role for You 

We are bold, kind, strive to do the right thing, we play to win, and we believe in a strong community that thrives together. Our culture is rooted in our Basic Beliefs, and we believe in supporting every employee by meeting their physical, emotional, and financial needs. 

What We are Looking For:

Minimum Requirements: 

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience, is required

• 5 years of relevant controls experience is required

• 2 years of experience leading, supervising, or managing others 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

Additional skills and experience that we think would make someone successful in this role:

• Mechanical and electrical experience in food manufacturing is preferred

• Working knowledge of NFPA and OSHA guidelines related to electrical equipment and practices

• 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

• Effective presentation, verbal, and written communication skills

• 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.

Learn More About Working at Smucker

Our Total Rewards Benefits Program 

Our Thriving Together Philosophy Supporting All Impacted by Our Business 

Our Continued Progress on Inclusion, Diversity and Equity 

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