Automation and Controls Maintenance Supervisor

The Cheesecake Factory•Battleboro, NC

19d•Onsite

About The Position

The Automation and Controls Maintenance Supervisor provides hands-on leadership to the maintenance team supporting a complex, food manufacturing operation. This role ensures safe, reliable, and efficient performance of production and utility systems, including spiral coolers, ovens, depositing equipment, conveyors, boilers, ammonia refrigeration, compressed air, and PLC-controlled systems. This person is accountable for executing preventive and predictive maintenance programs, troubleshooting equipment failures, and driving continuous improvement initiatives to maximize equipment uptime and overall plant performance.

Requirements

Associate or bachelor’s degree in industrial maintenance, Engineering, or related field preferred.
A Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Computer, or Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
Minimum of 10 years of maintenance experience in an industrial food or bakery environment, with at least 2 years in a supervisory or lead role.
Strong background with PLCs, VFDs, and automated control systems.
Familiarity with ammonia refrigeration, boiler systems, and compressed air utilities.
Experience with MS Office Software, CMMS systems, and maintenance planning and scheduling processes.
NFPA 70 trained.
Strong proficiency in PLC/HMI programming (e.g., Siemens, Allen-Bradley), industrial networks, and data acquisition/historian systems.
Advanced knowledge of HMI systems focused on Rockwell Factory Talk View ME/SE and Ignition.
Advanced knowledge of industrial process historians.
Advanced knowledge of Ethernet networks.
Advanced electrical control design capabilities.
Knowledge and experience in Industrial Robot Programming is a plus.
RSLogix500
RSLogix5000
Studio5000
FactoryTalk View ME/SE
Ignition
CCW
VFD Troubleshooting/Programming/Commissioning
Servo Troubleshooting/Programming/CIP Motion
Networking (Ethernet IP)
Proven leadership ability to motivate, develop, and guide technical teams toward high performance.
Strong mechanical and electrical troubleshooting expertise, with hands-on problem-solving skills.
Working knowledge of three-phase power and machine control, ensuring safe and efficient operations.
Comprehensive understanding of food safety, sanitation, and PSM programs, supporting compliance and reliability.
Effective communicator with cross-functional partners and hourly associates, fostering collaboration.
Excellent verbal and written English skills, essential for clear documentation and team alignment.
Highly organized and detail-oriented, adept at managing competing priorities in a fast-paced, 24/7 environment.
Subject Matter Expert in packaging machinery, electrical systems, control systems, refrigeration, steam systems, and conveyors.
Strong leadership and managerial courage, consistently making principled decisions even when unpopular.
Positive attitude and high energy level, contributing to team morale and productivity.
Flexible and responsive, available for shifts, weekends, and emergencies as needed.
Customer-focused mindset, viewing maintenance as a critical service provider to the business.
Ability to stand and walk for prolonged periods (8–12 hours per shift).
Frequent bending, kneeling, squatting, and stooping to access equipment and confined spaces.
Regular reaching overhead, at shoulder height, and below waist level to service machinery.
Climbing ladders or platforms (up to 20 feet) as needed to access equipment.
Work in confined spaces may be required, such as under conveyors or inside equipment housings.
Frequent lifting of parts and tools up to 25 pounds.
Occasional lifting of equipment components up to 50 pounds.
Occasional team lifting or use of mechanical aids for items over 75 pounds.
Ability to carry materials and tools across plant areas or upstairs.
Hand-eye coordination required for precision work such as wiring, calibrating instruments, or using hand tools.
Sufficient grip strength to use wrenches, drills, and other manual tools.
Fine motor skills to handle small parts, fasteners, and electrical connectors safely.
Ability to identify signs of mechanical or electrical issues, including odors, smoke, or abnormal sounds.
Work performed in hot, cold, humid, refrigerated, and frozen spaces.
Regular exposure to moderate to high industrial noise levels (hearing protection may be required).
Occasional exposure to dust, lubricants, and cleaning chemicals, with proper PPE provided.
Exposure to vibration from power tools or running machinery.
Ability to perform physically demanding tasks throughout a full shift.
Must maintain balance while working on elevated platforms or uneven surfaces.
Ability to respond promptly and safely to alarms or hazardous conditions.

Nice To Haves

Industrial Robot Programming is a plus.

Responsibilities

Supervise a team of maintenance technicians and mechanics across production, utilities, and packaging areas.
Assign daily work orders, PMs, and project tasks using the CMMS.
Write daily shift reports that accurately detail activities that took place during the shift.
Provide technical guidance, coaching, and support to enhance troubleshooting skills and mechanical depth.
Enforce maintenance standard work, safety practices, and GMP compliance.
Ensure compliance with HR/ Safety policies and procedures including verifying timecard activity, overseeing the disciplinary action process, and ensure safety and certification training is completed on time.
Foster a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Act as the management representative on site when the Plant Engineer is not available.
Lead troubleshooting and repair of mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems across all bakery process areas.
Support operation of spiral coolers, ovens, depositors, conveyors, and associated control systems.
Ensure timely and thorough completion of preventive maintenance tasks, lubrication routes, and inspection-based PMs.
Oversee maintenance of critical utilities including ammonia refrigeration, steam/boiler systems, and compressed air.
Partner with Production to minimize downtime and proactively address recurring issues.
Manage parts requisitions, ensure proper use of spare inventory, and maintain work order documentation in the CMMS.
Produce reliable automation solutions to meet business needs including electrical panel design, device selection, flow charts, project schedules, scope of work, and cost estimates.
Maintain all Automation related programs and documentation including PLC programs, HMI programs, electrical diagrams, P&IDs, pin charts, sequence of operations, etc.
Maintain all automation programming software for the facility such as Rockwell Software, Wonderware, ICIS, Network Management, etc.
Analyze downtime and equipment history to identify root causes and develop corrective actions.
Collaborate with Engineering and Production on process improvements and equipment upgrades.
Support capital projects, installations, and equipment commissioning.
Promote reliability-centered maintenance practices to extend asset life and reduce reactive work.
Ensure all maintenance activities comply with OSHA, PSM, and food safety standards.
Enforce lockout/tagout, confined space, and hot work procedures.
Maintain equipment and documentation readiness for internal and external audits.
Partner with Quality, Sanitation, and Operations to ensure all work supports food safety and GMP compliance.
Oversee the installation, repair, and proactive maintenance of PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), robotic systems, and electrical hardware.
Diagnose complex electrical, mechanical, and software failures to minimize production downtime.
Lead system upgrades, continuous improvement projects, and equipment commissioning.