Automation Engineering Supervisor

Who We Are A producer-owned pork processor, comprised of 200 dedicated Midwest family farms, focused on providing customers with quality pork products they can trust, in a culture that fosters innovation and opportunity. Summary The Automation Engineering Supervisor will manage and supervise essential maintenance activities and provide automation controls support to a highly automated fresh pork production facility. An automation engineering supervisor should understand the basics of industrial facilities and have strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills with a strong background in electrical and industrial controls. The position will require experience with the latest versions of the Allen-Bradley family of PLCs, VFDs, HMIs/OITs, and a strong understanding of electrical control systems, mechanical drives, pneumatics, hydraulics, PCs, Robotics, and control networks. Education, Licensure and Experience EE Degree, or equivalent experience. Three or more years' experience in the Automation field. A combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates competency to perform the work may be substituted. Equipment-specific knowledge may be required based on location. Strong experience with the following software packages: Rockwell Controls Software Suite (FactoryTalk). EPLAN (Preferred). Microsoft Office. Strong overall electrical knowledge and experience with electrical and industrial control systems. Excellent communication skills and effective team-building skills are a must. Experience in a food processing plant is a plus. Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be at least 18 years of age and able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following (Please note: This in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position. Other duties may be assigned as deemed necessary and appropriate.): Have experience in SLC 500 and Logix 5000 series PLC's and PanelView ME/SE Studio Programming. Knowledge of Kinetix Servo systems. Sequential Flow Chart Programming knowledge, Logix 5000. Have knowledge of Ethernet/IP Networks and fault-finding diagnosis. Familiarity with Rockwell View SE and Historian SE. Familiarity with Rockwell AssetCentre. Understanding of computer operating systems such as Windows 11, Server 2022, Thin Clients, etc. Review key plant metrics/KPIs and equipment data to identify potential areas for continuous improvement and lead a team to develop an engineered solution. Provide electrical troubleshooting and industrial controls support to the maintenance department. Provide support for the manufacturing controls networks with an understanding of IP addressing, machine network switches, VLAN topology and act as a liaison between plant personnel, corporate engineering, and IT when needed. Manage Rockwell Automation and other software/hardware programs on department computers as well as ensuring all control devices are up to date with firmware and software revisions. Maintain a library for all control device back-ups and updates. Work closely with operations management to provide effective controls support. Lead PdM (Predictive Maintenance) initiatives through conducting and training maintenance personnel on Thermography, Ultrasonic Leak Detection, and Vibration Analysis. Ensure equipment in the area is maintained, guarded, and operated in accordance with defined safety regulations and procedures. Identify potential cost savings and cost avoidance; implement continuous improvement projects to achieve results. Participate in budget planning for the facility. Visit equipment suppliers as needed to inspect new equipment and ensure compliance with electrical specifications. Ensure all new and retrofitted equipment has optimized electrical PMs. Support other WP facilities, if required, may require some minor travel. Will be responsible for Mentoring, developing, Training, and validating the knowledge of electrical troubleshooting and control systems with all Technicians. Industrial Automation and Control Systems (IACS) design and implementation into an enterprise network utilizing the Converged Plantwide Ethernet (CPwE) architecture, and their operation. Maintain calibration records of electrical testing equipment. Approve all Electrical CAD drawings. Ensure electrical and controls documentation is kept up to date and accurate. Maintain operational standards for the Automation Department. Assist in training new Automation Technicians and Engineering team members to the expected quality standard of the position. Planning of controls in conjunction with Project Engineer. Coordinate contracts for the repair of electrical devices with the Electric Shop Supervisor. Conduct cost and time estimations for Controls programming and installation. Oversee Controls project workflows. Create custom documentation, including user manuals, programming diagrams, network diagrams, and electrical drawings. Stay up to date on changes in UL, IEC, NFPA, and ISA standards. Ensure compliance with all UL, IEC, NFPA, and ISA standards relevant to a project. Analyze plant processes, design, and implement improvements. Maintain best-practice guidelines that adhere to evolving standards and knowledge in the electrical and controls programming fields, including proper bonding/grounding methodology and noise suppression (harmonic reduction). Plan preventative maintenance of electrical systems in coordination with the Electrical Shop Supervisor. Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Supervises personnel to ensure quality service in accordance with the Personnel Manual and applicable laws. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Determining staffing requirements is necessary to meet the department's needs. Training employees in the performance of duties in compliance with all state and federal standards and laws, as well as company requirements. Planning and directing work schedules to assign and coordinate the work of office employees to promote efficiency of operations, and in accordance with budgeted hours, ensuring that all duties are performed, and work assignments to assist staff in completing and performing such tasks. Delegating responsibility and accountability to staff as deemed necessary. Language Skills Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the language of the majority cultural group in order to communicate effectively. Must be able to hear enough to understand those individuals as well. Ability to read, interpret, and comprehend documents such as grafts/flow sheets, financials, general professional articles and publications, governmental regulations, safety rules, assignment sheets, and procedure manuals. Must be able to write reports, business correspondence, policies and procedures, and other administrative forms as outlined above. Must be able to effectively communicate in both individual and group settings. Must be able to present information and respond to questions from individuals and/or groups. Mathematical Skills In order to perform duties, one must be able to: Add, subtract, multiply, and divide all units of measure, including whole numbers, fractions, and percentages. Compute rate, discounts, ratios, and percent, and Make, read, and interpret financials, graphs, rates, ratios, and percentages. Reasoning Ability Ability to apply common sense and judgment in solving problems and interpreting and understanding instructions furnished in written or oral form. Must be able to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action, yet reason when to involve a supervisor. Other Skills and Abilities Display strong organizational skills with ability to prioritize multiple tasks and deal with frequent interruptions. Basic office skills such as phone skills, voice mail, copying, faxing, typing, and directing visitors. Ability to function independently given assigned duties. Ability to communicate, work, and interact with a variety of individuals. Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those required of an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use hands and/or fingers to feel, manipulate small objects, write, and type. The employee is frequently required to bend, squat/kneel, twist/turn, sit, talk, hear, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to push/pull; climb; walk; stand; and balance. The employee is rarely required to smell and/or taste. The employee must frequently lift/carry/move up to 15 pounds and occasionally up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. We offer a competitive benefits package which includes: Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance Company matching Retirement Plan Paid time off Short term and long term disability Referral program Flexible Spending and Health Savings Plans Wholestone Farms is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, gender, gender orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.