Your Opportunity as the Senior Controls Engineer
Are you ready to accelerate your engineering career while working with cutting-edge automation and manufacturing technology?
Join our Buffalo Milk❤️Bone® team and become a key technical leader responsible for the site's controls, automation, and electrical systems. In this role, you'll lead high-impact projects, drive innovation, develop technical talent, and help shape the future of one of Smucker's flagship manufacturing facilities. If you're passionate about solving complex problems, implementing new technologies, and making a real impact from day one, this is the opportunity for you.
Location: 243 Urban St, Buffalo, NY 14211 (Milk❤️Bone® Manufacturing Plant)
Work Arrangements: 100% on-site, Day Shift – 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 the site's technical expert for controls, automation, and electrical power systems.
Lead automation, controls, and electrical infrastructure projects that improve reliability, efficiency, and plant performance.
Drive the site's controls and power systems roadmap, including modernization initiatives and technology upgrades.
Partner with Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering teams to solve complex manufacturing challenges and eliminate losses.
Develop and mentor Electrical & Instrumentation (E&I) technicians, helping build the next generation of technical talent.
Support robotics, PLCs, HMIs, MES applications, and advanced manufacturing technologies.
Leverage manufacturing data and analytics to improve operational performance and decision making.
Champion electrical safety and ensure compliance with NFPA, OSHA, and company standards.
Lead capital projects from concept through startup, gaining exposure to cross-functional leadership and strategic initiatives.
Influence the future technology strategy of the Buffalo facility through innovation and continuous improvement.
Compensation Range: $85,500 - $123,200 annually
What We are Looking For:
Minimum Requirements:
2-year diploma from an accredited technical/vocational college in a automation/controls related field or a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering
Understanding of controls or electrical engineering
Strong communication skills – both written and verbal
Additional skills and experience that we think would make someone successful in this role:
Manufacturing experience in food, pet food, consumer packaged goods, or related industries.
Understanding of machine and/or process control hardware, instrumentation and software (ex: Allen Bradley PLC, ControlLogix, Wonderware HMI, and Rockwell FactoryTalk)
Experience with robotics and automation systems, including Motoman or similar platforms.
Working knowledge of NFPA and OSHA electrical standards.
Strong troubleshooting, project management, and continuous improvement skills.
Passion for learning new technologies, solving technical challenges, and developing others.
Why Join Milk❤️Bone® Buffalo?
At Smucker, we believe great engineers are built through meaningful experiences, ownership, and continuous learning. This role provides opportunities to:
Lead projects early and make a visible impact on plant performance.
Build expertise in automation, controls, robotics, and advanced manufacturing technologies.
Work alongside experienced engineering and operations leaders.
Develop project management and leadership capabilities.
Gain exposure to cross-functional teams and strategic business initiatives.
Explore future career opportunities across Engineering, Operations, Technical Leadership, and Plant Management.
If you're looking for a role where you can learn, lead, innovate, and grow your career while working on some of the most recognized brands in the industry, we'd love to hear from you. 🐾
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.
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The Right Place 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.
Stay connected with us on LinkedIn®
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.
Skills Required
- 2-year diploma from an accredited technical or vocational college in an automation or controls-related field, or a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering
- Understanding of controls or electrical engineering
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Manufacturing experience in food, pet food, consumer packaged goods, or related industries
- Understanding of machine or process control hardware, instrumentation, and software, including Allen Bradley PLC, ControlLogix, Wonderware HMI, and Rockwell FactoryTalk
- Experience with robotics and automation systems, including Motoman or similar platforms
- Working knowledge of NFPA and OSHA electrical standards
- Strong troubleshooting, project management, and continuous improvement skills
- Ability to learn new technologies, solve technical challenges, and develop others
The J.M. Smucker Co. Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about The J.M. Smucker Co. and has not been reviewed or approved by The J.M. Smucker Co..
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Retirement Support — Retirement programs are described as strong, with a company 401(k) match, immediate vesting in some materials, and access to an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. These elements contribute to a favorable view of total compensation value.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave for all parents and on-site childcare at key locations signal a family-forward approach. Additional supports such as adoption assistance and pet-related leave reinforce this emphasis.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid time off, seasonal compressed schedules, and flexibility options are highlighted across materials. The ability to start with substantial PTO and buy additional time enhances perceived time-off breadth.
The J.M. Smucker Co. Insights
What We Do
Each generation of consumers leaves their mark on culture by establishing new expectations for food and the companies that make it. At The J.M. Smucker Co., it is our privilege to be at the heart of this dynamic with a portfolio that appeals to each generation of people and pets with products found in 90 percent of U.S. homes and countless restaurants. This includes a mix of iconic brands consumers have always loved such as Folgers®, Jif® and Milk-Bone® and new favorites like Café Bustelo®, Smucker’s® Uncrustables® and Rachael Ray® Nutrish®. By continuing to immerse ourselves in consumer and pet parent preferences for food, how it’s purchased and how the companies that make it should operate, we will maintain the important role we play in their lives. This will allow us to continue growing our business and the positive impact we have on all of those who count on us.
