Automation Supervisor

GAF • Michigan City, IN

1d • $88,000 - $121,000

About The Position

The Automation Supervisor will help provide leadership and technical expertise in the support of the safe and reliable operation of the manufacturing plant. Manage the repair, alteration and preventative maintenance of the plant to improve the productivity of the operation. They will supervise automation technicians in order to get both planned and unplanned maintenance needs completed in an efficient and effective manner. In conjunction with the Maintenance Planner they are responsible for balancing priorities, manpower, material, and equipment availability to develop department and individual work schedules. They are also responsible for safety, quality of work, and productivity of the maintenance team through direct leadership and coordination with the production departments in a highly involved workplace.

Requirements

• H.S. Diploma or General Education Degree (GED) Required
• 5+ years practical experience as an automation or electrical technician in a high volume manufacturing operation is required (preferably in a continuous process)
• 3+ years recent supervisory experience is required.
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills
• Intermediate presentation skills
• Advanced interpersonal skills
• Advanced conflict resolution skills
• Advanced organizational skills
• Advanced problem-solving skills
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to prioritize
• Ability to manage and direct the work of others
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Advanced proficiency using root cause analysis to troubleshoot and solve problems
• Intermediate proficiency in electrical distribution systems and instrumentation
• Intermediate proficiency in PLC programming, debugging, and troubleshooting
• Advanced proficiency in maintaining electronic, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems
• Advanced proficiency using variable frequency drives and AC & DC drives
• Knowledge of rotating equipment, machine design, bearings, and lubricationn
• Ability to read blueprints, schematics, shop drawings, and sketches
• Familiar with standard maintenance concepts, practices, and procedures

Nice To Haves

• Technical school training/diploma/certification is preferred

Responsibilities

• Supervise automation technicians and work performed by contractors.
• Manage planned and unplanned maintenance work and jobs for both daily work and maintenance outages.
• Provide equipment-related expertise and technical guidance.
• Enhance communication and coordination between maintenance and other departments, especially the production department.
• Provide input and feedback to the planners and storeroom personnel to refine/finalize labor, parts, priorities and methods.
• Manage work distribution ensuring each employee has a full day’s work each day and that the assigned work is within each employee’s knowledge and skill level.
• Ensure safety, quality, timeliness, cost and thoroughness of work performed.
• Supervise on-the-job performance of automation technicians.
• Responds as first call-in contact for automation and electrical emergencies.
• Investigate and analyze electrical and controls related problems associated with the manufacturing operation.
• Assist in the design and installation of electrical/electronic equipment including PLCs, electrical power distribution systems, instrumentation, servo motors and drives, and variable speed aC/DC drives.
• Effectively manages the utilization of planned maintenance hours to maximize machine line efficiency and production volumes.
• Actively participate in the planning, coordination, and implementation of maintenance activities to ensure they are consistently successfully completed in the allotted time frame while ensuring the work completed allows for excellent machine reliability.
• Follow up on issues that did not go as planned during shutdowns and implement methods to prevent future occurrences.
• Assist and train automation technicians and other employees as needed with technical and troubleshooting related matters.
• Provide a safe workplace through adherence to company safety policy, housekeeping and defined standards of training.
• Lead maintenance department safety meetings.
• Monitor compliance to safety policies and procedures, conduct inspections of plant areas, and ensure deficiencies found are resolved or appropriately communicated.
• Ensure maintenance technicians are well trained, involved, and committed to meeting department expectations including following all safety requirements.
• Provide leadership in department and administrative support required to be an effective supervisor.
• Observe employee work skills and provide on-the-job training, tutoring and coaching.
• Suggest ways to improve methods, procedures and work practices.
• Address performance issues promptly and in a fair and consistent manner and provide effective and timely feedback using the performance evaluation process.
• Schedule work days and off days of maintenance techs and track vacation as well as floating holidays based on work requirements.
• Provide direct input in the hiring of maintenance technicians.
• Support department expense target goals by minimizing maintenance costs without negatively impacting operating results.
• Support efforts to minimize cost for major repair items and efforts to minimize purchased maintenance costs by utilizing company personnel for maintenance and capital projects versus using outside contractors whenever possible.
• Evaluate alternative parts or new suppliers to improve costs.
• Identify shop and fabrication work opportunities that can be performed in house versus being completed by outside resources.
• Support efforts for the large capital projects within the plant.
• Participate in maintenance efforts to review equipment design, layout, and safety related aspects of new equipment.
• Communicate project plans and progress to the maintenance department and be a conduit for maintenance employee suggestions and concerns.
• Ensure maintenance technicians understand changes that will result from new equipment.
• Create, modify, and review any maintenance policies and procedures associated with this project.
• Manage contractors and support activities.
• Develop scopes of work for contractors.
• Ensure that contractors are following all safety and environmental policies.

Benefits

• We offer a wide range of health insurance options that include medical, dental, and vision for you and your family.
• Our Family-Building benefits support the many different journeys to fertility and parenthood.
• Our robust 401K plan includes an employer match contribution with your pre-tax and/or Roth contributions.
• Other exciting programs and perks are available to help employees achieve work-life balance, including (but not limited to) a wellness program, free financial coaching, a referral program, and product rebates when purchased for an employee’s primary residence.
• Professional growth and development are very important to us! We offer internal training programs and courses, as well as a generous tuition reimbursement program.
• We're committed to fostering a culture that reflects our values to connect, empower, evolve, and inspire. We offer many opportunities for employees to connect with one another, including through our Employee Resource Groups who focus on education and allyship for all of our employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 51-100 employees