Dairy Farmers of America

Automation Controls Engineer

Dairy Farmers of America$75K — $95K *
Food & Beverages
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • High School Diploma or GED and 10 years of food manufacturing experience, including 4 years in a supervisory role or 5 years of technical training with 4 years' experience including 2 years in a supervisory role
  • Bachelor's degree with 4 years food manufacturing experience, including 2 years in supervisory position
  • Experience in capital project management and budgeting
  • Proficient in control network design and maintenance, including management of network, server, and security
  • Relevant certifications may be required during employment

Responsibilities

  • Manage and enhance facility automation and electrical systems
  • Develop a support structure for operational technology, including automation and communication systems
  • Provide technical guidance to improve dairy process control, utility operations, and energy management
  • Inform management on control network design and maintenance issues with actionable recommendations
  • Implement a maintenance program for all production machinery and utility systems
  • Coordinate and oversee capital projects to minimize downtime and adhere to budgets
  • Ensure compliance with good manufacturing practices and maintain operational safety standards

Benefits

  • Health and wellness programs
  • Ongoing training and professional development
  • Opportunities for career advancement
  • Safety-focused working environment
  • Supportive company culture emphasizing ethics and values
Full Job Description
General Purpose:

Supervise and support day-to-day technical services of the facility. Provide technical support and maintenance as directed in respect to process control management systems, related networks, and related technologies. Support the corporate automation network and to maintain communications, network, and software that is required for day-to-day manufacturing operations.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Manage, maintain and improve the facility automation, instrumentation, and electrical systems
  • Develop and manage support structure for operational technology (OT), including production line automation, controls, control networks, and other communication systems
  • Provide technical expertise to assist the facility with continuously improving the dairy process control, utility, operations, and energy management; reduce usage; improve quality; and reduce their overall cost of operation
  • Provide management with information and guidance on all aspects of controls network design/server and maintenance matters. Investigate and report on problems and recommend solutions
  • Maintain effective maintenance programs for facility, electrical distribution, plant utility systems, architecture, process instrumentation, and all production machinery and equipment through assigned staff and outside contractors to support sustained plant operations and efficiency
  • Implement annual capital plan in specific area of responsibility. Coordinate projects working with cross-functional teams to minimize plant downtime while completing projects on time and within budget Design and support 3-5 years long-term plan (road map) for control network system and server upgrade
  • Develop, organize, and maintain plant control network specifications/standards to ensure process stability while maximizing manufacturing process efficiencies
  • Stay abreast of engineering trends and developments for application. Recommend changes in policies and procedures as appropriate
  • Coordinate and manage resources, both personnel (e.g., control specialist, technicians, contractors) and funding to ensure the project or mission fulfills and meets the set objectives defined within the approved scope
  • Organize control network/server related technical training to improve plant operative technical skills
  • Promote company culture; oversee assigned DFA and contract staff. Develop appropriate training programs to address developmental needs
  • Verify adherence to DFA good manufacturing practices (GMP) and work in a manner consistent with all corporate, regulatory, food safety, quality and sanitation requirements
  • Ensure safe working conditions for employees and compliance with all state and federal regulations regarding health and safety issues
  • Exhibit the values and ethics of Dairy Farmers of America through honesty, discretion, and sound judgment
  • Attend required training, including but not limited to Safety, GMP, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP), and Safe Quality Foods (SQF)
  • The requirements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employee, but is not a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Other duties may be assigned as required


Travel:

5-15% (1-3 times per year)

Education and Experience:
  • High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED) and 10 years of experience in food manufacturing environment, including 4 years of direct supervisory experience
    • (OR)
  • High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED), 5 years of technical training in related mechanical and/or electrical studies, and 4 years of experience in food manufacturing environment, including 2 years of direct supervisory experience
  • Bachelor's degree and 4 years of experience in food manufacturing environment, including 2 years of direct supervisory experience
  • Capital project and capital project budget management experience
  • Experience with control network design and maintenance plans (including design, deployment, and management); OT infrastructure (network, server, security) management, server and network switch configuration, VPN setup and management, and IP address management
  • Certification and/or License - may be required during course of employment


Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
  • Advanced knowledge of control network design and maintenance plans, OT infrastructure (network, server, security) management, server and network switch configuration, VPN setup and management, and IP address management
  • Knowledge on process control and control network, electrical schematics, HMI programming (FT View), advanced PLC programming, Rockwell automation systems, electrical equipment including pump/VSD maintenance, legacy automation, VFD, SLIC500, and instrumentation
  • Knowledge of Federal Drug Administration (FDA), GMP, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) policies and regulations
  • Knowledge of regulatory codes and translating into blueprints and schematics
  • Knowledge of project management processes, techniques, and tools
  • Skill in planning, organization, and analysis
  • Skill in contractor and vendor management
  • Must be able to read, write and speak English


About Dairy Farmers of America

Dairy Farmers of America Inc. is a national milk marketing cooperative in the United States. DFA markets members' raw milk and sells milk and derivative products to wholesale buyers both domestically and abroad. Net sales in 2016 were $13.5 billion, representing about 22 percent of raw milk production in the United States.
Learn more about Dairy Farmers of America
Industry
Founded
1967

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