Automations Controls Technician I - Night Shift

SunOpta Overview: SunOpta (Nasdaq: STKL) (TSX: SOY) is a U.
S.
-based, global pioneer fueling the future of sustainable, plant-based food and beverages.
Founded nearly 50 years ago, SunOpta manufactures organic and specialty products sold through retail and foodservice channels.
SunOpta operates as a manufacturer for leading natural and private label brands, and also proudly produces its own brands, including SOWN®, Dream®and West LifeTM.
Job Summary: This position is responsible for installing and maintaining the electrical systems, control systems, and process instrumentation throughout the facility.
They will perform routine and emergency maintenance on electrical distribution systems, digital and analog control systems, PLC systems and networks, pneumatic systems, transducers, sensors, and other plant electrical devices.
This role will perform diagnostic analysis of failed or faulty electrical, electronic, mechanical, and pneumatic components and systems to determine appropriate resolution for return to service.
In addition, this position will perform periodic inspections, testing, adjustments, calibrations, and servicing activities necessary to maintain the electrical, and control systems in peak operating conditions.
Essential Functions of the Job: • Installation and terminations.
• Suggest improvements that optimize performance regarding designs, installations, hardware selection, and safety practices.
• Properly operate equipment in the application deployed by understanding the principles by which process instrumentation functions and perform set-up and calibration tasks.
• Perform root-cause fault diagnostics on live electrical systems to identify and correct electrical, mechanical, control, pneumatic, and computer system failures.
• Perform the tasks associated with the preventative maintenance program which includes cleaning, lubrication, adjustments, visual inspections, minor repairs and calibrations, necessary to maintain equipment, machinery, instruments, testing equipment, wiring, and associated hardware at required intervals.
• Maintain and calibrate a variety of transducers.
• Follow established programs, policies and practices to produce safe quality foods that meet regulatory and company requirements.
• Accountable to the SunOpta Manufacturing Food Safety and Quality Principles.
• All other duties, as assigned.
Key Accountabilities: Safety: • Adheres to all plant safety rules.
• Reports all near misses and accidents to the production supervisor and or HR representative • Serves an active role the plant safety programs, by participating in monthly safety inspections and reporting any potential safety hazards to the safety committee or Management.
Quality: • Adheres to all Quality Assurance System guidelines.
• Follows SOP’s and SSOP’s (standard operating procedures and sanitation standard operating procedures) when making processing adjustments, to ensure the manufacturing of high-quality liquid-based products.
• Responsible for compliance with GMP’s, HACCP and SQF programs • Identifies all critical control points (CCP) understanding their functions it relates to the process.
• Accurately prepares and maintains processing area documentation.
Writing legibly and completely filling out all documents.
Operators name must be signed on each document used.
Maintenance: • When Maintenance is occurring in your work area, it is the expectation to assist the Maintenance Technicians in any capacity needed to expedite the repair process.
• When equipment is in a state of disrepair these items must be reported ASAP to avoid break downs.
Housekeeping: • Maintain a clean and organized work area.
• Assists all areas of the plant with general housekeeping.
• Cooperates with other shifts and the management team in housekeeping endeavors.
Communications: • As a member of the Production team, ensures effective shift communication and teamwork with other operators occurs each scheduled shift.
• Maintains effective communication with members of the support group.
• When utilizing the Handheld radios employees are expected to be professional and respectful when communicating.
Teamwork and Training: • Promotes and contributes to the development of a strong team.
• Works well among co-workers as a team.
• Assist in coaching and training employees as requested by the management team.
Personal Development: • Continuously improve your knowledge of the Aseptic Filling process.
• Become familiar with SunOpta 360.
• Completes and adheres to the Annual Alchemy Schedule.
Supervisory Responsibilities: • None.
Minimum Qualifications: • High School diploma or GED required.
• 3 – 5 years of PLC and HMI programming experience • Familiar with Allen Bradley PanelView software and hardware Preferred Qualifications: • A BS in electrical, mechanical or computer engineering is preferred, or 2-year technical degree with emphasis in electrical circuits, automation, and PLC programing.
• Must be able to run all processors, CIPs, and monitor all surge tanks.
• Understands procedures for all allergens and how to prevent cross contamination.
• Must be able to perform maintenance on valves, surge tanks, and processors.
• Must be able to prepare and maintain accurate paperwork.
• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve moderate to complex issues associated with the processors and related equipment.
• Ability to assess a situation and make quick and accurate decisions that will aid in production.
• Must adhere to all GMP's and Safety Procedures established by Management.
• Understand terminology related to the process and surge equipment.
• Must be able to stand and work for long periods of time (12) hours and lift a minimum 30-50 pounds frequently and push/pull pallet jacks and lifts with heavy loads.
Knowledge and Skills: • Working knowledge of business, computer, and math.
• Ability to work effectively in a team-based environment, • Able to set priorities/meet deadlines, • Multi-task/meet deadlines.
• Work with minimal supervision.
• Sound working knowledge of Electrical Safe Work Practices; AC and DC Electrical Theory.
• Ability to read/create electrical prints and control schematics; motor control; computer networks; Human Machine Interface (HMI) systems; pneumatic and hydraulic valves; photo eyes; proximity sensors; limit switches; breakers; fuses.
Additional Considerations: • Location: This role is at our SunOpta Plant in Midlothian, TX.
• Shift: This position will be a 2-2-3 pattern on nights, 6 pm - 6:30 am.
Some flexibility is needed.
• Shift Differential: $2/hour differential offered for 12-hour night shift.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.
Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER EOE M/W/VET/DISABLED