Controls Specialist Automation Tech (Nights)

Champion Foods•Gaffney, SC

11d•Onsite

About The Position

The Controls Specialist Automation Technician provides general controls, programming, instrumentation, electrical, and mechanical support for manufacturing automation equipment at Champion Foods’ bakery facility in Gaffney, South Carolina. The role requires troubleshooting, analyzing, and repairing automated mechanical and electrical equipment and working effectively with engineering, management, maintenance, production, sanitation, and quality assurance personnel. The position works in a 144,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art bakery and may involve a variety of indoor and outdoor locations, including production areas, offices, freezers, common areas, elevators, restrooms, silos, and the roof. The work environment is dynamic and fast-paced, with food production technology and bakery operations. The position may involve continuous standing, squatting, lifting, sitting, bending, moving materials weighing over 50 pounds in difficult positions, working in permit-required confined spaces, and completing assignments at heights.

Requirements

At least six years of industrial maintenance experience, or advanced education in automation controls, PLC programming, electrical, mechanical, and electronics.
Strong programming skills with Wonderware; Allen-Bradley ControlLogix and PLC 5000 series; Allen-Bradley PanelViews; Allen-Bradley and Indramat servo controllers; Ethernet and DeviceNet communications; UNIX and Windows operating systems; Kinetix servo control and troubleshooting; Connected Components Workbench software; PanelView and ME software; and vision systems.
Must obtain the minimum assessment level required for a Maintenance Technician III as established by the maintenance department.
Significant experience with process control and power distribution.
Ability to troubleshoot, analyze, and repair automated mechanical and electrical equipment.
Ability to work with little or no supervision and communicate effectively in a team environment.
Ability to work in permit-required confined spaces and complete height-related assignments.
Ability to perform the stated physical demands, including moving materials weighing over 50 pounds.

Responsibilities

Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair manufacturing equipment, utilities, and facility systems.
Share applicable automation, controls, and PLC knowledge with other maintenance personnel.
Troubleshoot and repair facility electrical equipment, including single-phase AC, three-phase AC, and DC circuits.
Carry out position requirements with little or no supervision.
Assist in writing and revising maintenance department standard operating procedures.
Read and interpret mechanical and electrical manuals, schematics, and P&IDs as required.
Provide operating instructions and training on production line manufacturing equipment to facility associates.
Perform scheduled preventive maintenance and report and qualify results.
Generate reports and documents, such as shift summaries, test results, and project write-ups.
Complete assigned work orders and report results.
Troubleshoot and resolve control system problems involving PLC, servo controller, operator interface, and VFD hardware and software.
Maintain and troubleshoot field instrumentation, including pressure transmitters, RTDs, and load cells, and their control-system interfaces.
Provide technical assistance to reduce or eliminate equipment, performance, quality, and safety issues.
Help determine specifications and requirements for spare parts under the department’s spare parts program.
Complete special projects assigned by maintenance management in a cost-effective and timely manner.
Inform appropriate facility personnel of modifications or system malfunctions affecting their areas of operation.
Use existing and future maintenance management systems effectively.
Communicate with outside vendors and equipment manufacturers.
Maintain a safe and neat work area in compliance with OSHA, FDA, and food plant regulations.
Take a proactive approach to improve production equipment efficiency and runtime.
Leave production line equipment in functional condition for subsequent shifts.
Work safely and in accordance with company policies.
Use standard Microsoft Office software packages, including Windows, Outlook, Word, and Excel.
Perform non-technical assignments as requested by management.
Keep tools in good working condition and immediately report damaged tools.
Perform other and incidental duties as assigned.