Electrical & Automation Manager

The Wonderful Company•Del Rey, CA

1d•$110,000 - $140,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Electrical & Controls Manager is responsible for leading plant electrical, controls, automation, and OT support activities to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient manufacturing operations. This role combines people leadership, hands-on troubleshooting, automation strategy, capital project execution, and continuous improvement ownership across processing, packaging, utilities, and facility support systems. The manager leads a technical team while partnering closely with operations, maintenance, quality, IT/OT, engineering, and external integrators to improve equipment reliability, modernize legacy control systems, and deliver measurable gains in safety, quality, throughput, and OEE.

Requirements

Allen-Bradley ControlLogix, CompactLogix, MicroLogix, and legacy SLC5 systems
Siemens S7/TIA Portal platforms
Ability to troubleshoot, modify, and support PLC logic, I/O architecture, and integrated machine controls
Ethernet/IP
Profinet
DeviceNet
ControlNet
Remote I/O systems
Understanding of managed industrial switches, routers, wireless infrastructure, and plant network architecture
Allen-Bradley PanelView Plus / FactoryTalk View ME & SE
Siemens HMI platforms
Wonderware / AVEVA platforms
SCADA, Historian, MES, and data collection systems
Knowledge of visualization, alarming, trending, and operational reporting systems
Allen-Bradley PowerFlex series drives
SEW Eurodrive systems
B&R motion and drive platforms
Emerson and Yaskawa drives
VFDs
Servo systems
Motion control applications
Motor control centers (MCCs)
Soft starters and motor protection systems
Electrical control panels
Relay logic
Safety circuits
Instrumentation systems
24VAC / 24VDC / 4–20mA control systems
Level
Pressure
Flow
Temperature
Position and distance measurement devices
SQL databases
Historian systems
MES platforms
Data integration systems
Electrical schematics
Panel layouts
P&IDs
Mechanical drawings
AutoCAD
AutoCAD Electrical
Visio
Electrical design documentation
Demonstrated leadership experience managing electrical, automation, controls, or reliability teams within a manufacturing environment.
Strong ability to lead cross-functional initiatives involving Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, Safety, and external vendors or contractors.
Proven experience managing multiple priorities including production support, capital projects, continuous improvement initiatives, and emergency plant support.
Strong understanding of reliability methodologies, root cause analysis, preventive maintenance, and continuous improvement principles.
Working knowledge of electrical safety standards and safe work practices including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), Arc Flash, and machine safety systems.
Support capital planning, budgeting, and project justification activities related to controls, electrical infrastructure, reliability improvements, and automation modernization initiatives.
Ability to foster a collaborative team environment built on communication, accountability, engagement, and mutual respect.
Strong leadership, coaching, mentoring, and technical development skills.
Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills and the ability to manage electrical & controls budget.
Proactive leader who demonstrates ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement mindset across plant operations and team performance.
Self-directed leader capable of balancing strategic planning with hands-on operational support when required.
Ability to support off-shift, weekend, and emergency operational needs in a 24/7 manufacturing environment.
Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Automation, Mechatronics, Industrial Technology, or related technical discipline preferred.
Equivalent combination of technical education and relevant industrial experience will be considered.
Minimum 5–10 years of experience supporting industrial manufacturing systems in a production environment.
Prior leadership or supervisory experience in manufacturing, maintenance, automation, or controls preferred.
Food & Beverage manufacturing experience is strongly preferred.

Nice To Haves

Exposure to B&R automation systems preferred
OPC communications preferred
Exposure to: JSON, APIs, Web services, Industrial data platforms, Industry 4.0 technologies preferred
Prior experience leading capital projects, equipment upgrades, or plant modernization initiatives preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead, coach, develop, and manage the electrical and controls team through clear expectations, scheduling, training, performance management, and accountability for execution.
Own plant support for PLC, HMI, VFD, instrumentation, power distribution, safety circuits, and supervisory systems across Fresh, Arils & Beverage processes. Occasional regional travel as needed to support other facilities.
Provide direct technical leadership for advanced troubleshooting of electrical, automation, networking, and controls-related failures using schematics, software tools, and field diagnostics.
Drive control system lifecycle management, including migration plans for obsolete PLC, HMI, network, and drive platforms.
Lead integration and startup of new equipment, as well as controls upgrades for existing lines, utility systems, and facility infrastructure.
Support plant electrical infrastructure and low-voltage control systems, including troubleshooting, design review, documentation updates, and expansion planning.
Support plant data and digital initiatives through historians, MES, SQL-connected systems, reporting tools, and machine-level integration projects.
Use CMMS data, downtime trends, and failure history to prioritize reliability actions and capital improvements.
Provide on-call or escalated support for critical production issues, shutdowns, startups, and major project activities as required.
Ensure compliance with electrical safety requirements, arc flash expectations, LOTO practices, and machine safety standards; escalate material risks to plant leadership.
Manage approved controls contractors, system integrators, and vendors to ensure work is executed safely, on schedule, within budget, and to plant standards.