What are the responsibilities and job description for the Controls Supervisor position at Leprino Foods?
Within our 300-person manufacturing facility in Tracy, Leprino is seeking a Controls Supervisor to lead plant automation and control systems, support reliable production, and enable larger levels of cheese and dairy ingredient growth. We take pride in our vision to be the world's best, which is why we invest in resilient automation, skilled teams, and continuous improvement.
At Leprino, starting compensation for this role typically ranges between $104,000 and $119,000. This position has an annual target bonus of 10%.
What You'll Do:
- Lead daily controls activities that support safe, reliable production across plant automation systems.
- Guide and develop a controls team responsible for PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, and related automation infrastructure.
- Support troubleshooting and resolution of controls-related downtime impacting production and utilities systems.
- Coordinate planned controls upgrades, modifications, and preventive improvements to reduce unplanned outages.
- Maintain working knowledge of plant processes to diagnose and resolve complex automation issues.
- Partner with maintenance, utilities, engineering, and production teams to align controls priorities with operating needs.
- Reinforce safe work practices, change management discipline, and documentation standards within the controls group.
- Review work orders, schedules, and system issues to improve response time and system stability.
- Support commissioning, testing, and startup of new or modified automation systems.
- Communicate clearly with plant leadership and the corporate controls engineering team on controls risks, priorities, and system health.
- Build a collaborative, engaged controls team through coaching, mentoring, and technical development.
- We believe strong automation leadership keeps plants running safely and consistently. This role plays a key part in protecting uptime, quality, and system reliability.
You Have At Least (Required Qualifications):
- 5 years of industrial controls experience in a manufacturing environment.
- 1 year of experience leading, mentoring, or directing the work of others.
- Associate degree in controls engineering, industrial technology, electrical, or a related technical field, or equivalent hands-on experience.
- Experience supporting PLC-based control systems and plant automation infrastructure.
- Ability to support operations in a 24/7 manufacturing environment.
- Comfortable using computer systems and learning SAP or similar maintenance platforms.
We Hope You Also Have (Preferred Qualifications):
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, controls engineering, or a related field.
- Experience with Allen-Bradley / Rockwell automation platforms, HMIs, and industrial networks.
- Prior supervisory experience supporting controls or automation teams in manufacturing.
- Experience supporting automation in food or dairy manufacturing environments.
At Leprino, we believe in equal employment opportunity and make employment decisions based on each individual's unique talents, experience, skills, and knowledge; we do not discriminate on the basis of any personal characteristics. We know we are better together and are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive culture in which all employees can thrive.
Offering You In Return:
A chance to be part of a global team of individuals passionate about producing and delivering high-quality products that help feed and nourish families around the world. Leprino could not be where it is today without our incredible employees. That is why we share in our success together by rewarding you for your hard work. Hiring great people who are in it for the long run is our goal. Through competitive salaries and bonuses, life, medical/dental/vision coverage, voluntary benefits, employee assistance programs, wellness incentives, tuition assistance, vacation, ten paid holidays, sick time, paid parental leave, annual merit increases, as well as the LFC Profit-Sharing & 401(k) plan. Your impact will be noticed and rewarded, as you seek to further our company, our customers, and one another.
Our Story:
Leprino's history dates back to the 1950s, when Jim Leprino first started making small batches of mozzarella for local markets and eateries in the Little Italy neighborhood of Denver. We've grown a bit since then. Today, Leprino is the world's largest manufacturer of mozzarella and lactose, and a leading producer of whey protein. Still owned by the Leprino family, our sights are set to be the "World's Best Dairy Food and Ingredient Company." From a small corner grocery store we have grown to over 5,500 employees throughout the globe. Will you join us on our journey?
Leprino Foods celebrates and supports diversity. We believe in equal opportunity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability. We know we are better together and are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive culture that uses the unique talents, experiences, background, and perspectives of each individual employee.