PLC Maintenance Technician

The PLC Maintenance Technician will lead efforts in programming and controls for processing equipment and systems for production in a peanut butter facility. Position is responsible for designing, programming, repairing, and maintaining programmable logic controller (PLC) systems. Inspects equipment for proper functioning and performs preventative maintenance duties per manufacturer's specifications. Position supports repairs and installations for advanced production/manufacturing equipment.

It is the expectation of each employee to perform tasks with the utmost of integrity to ensure food safety, legality, and quality requirements are always maintained within the capacity of the assigned position.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Lead in mentoring and training less experienced Maintenance Techs and Operators.

Duties:

• Must be knowledgeable in industrial maintenance, proper equipment installation, and food safety and sanitation expectation in a food plant.
• Demonstrate thorough understanding of industrial control systems and Programmable Logic Controller (PLC’s).
• Install, diagnose and repair electrical systems, apparatus, and electrical components of industrial machinery and equipment.
• Replace defective components and wiring and adjust mechanical parts.
• Effectively maintain programming, hardware networking and communication; troubleshoot, determine causes of failure and perform corrective actions; oversee full industrial control system project implementation on both hardware and software problems.
• Participate in Maintenance teams’ work during preventative maintenance, emergency repairs, parts inventory control and equipment installation.
• Champion safety as the first consideration of all employees/contractors and promotes a safe work environment through own behaviors.
• Champion food safety as the first consideration when work is performed in the facility to ensure the integrity of our product. Model food safety practices and ensure team is following good manufacturing practices (GMP’s).
• Assist coordinating work performed by outside contractors / vendors.
• Diagnose equipment failures and demonstrates exceptional troubleshooting abilities.
• Act as a training mentor in areas of expertise. Train less experienced maintenance technicians and coordinate training activities for the department as needed.
• Lead efforts to identify and define best practice maintenance standards and drive team ownership of these applications.
• Follow and promote all safety programs and requirements (hot work, confined space, fall protection, electrical safety, lockout/tag out, PIT, PPE, etc.)
• Complete routine paperwork and have a thorough understanding of our CMMS.
• Assist with audit readiness and participate in regulatory, third party, customer, and internal audits.
• Maintain knowledge of trends, best practices, regulatory changes, and new technologies in food manufacturing, food / plant safety, quality and industrial maintenance.
• Perform other duties assigned within the scope of this role.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Basic understanding of continuous improvement tools to improve safety, quality, and reduce waste.
• Strong computer skills including experience with CMMS and Microsoft Office.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to think critically and solve complex problems, as well as seek proactive solutions.
• Ability to organize, manage multiple priorities, and maintain high attention to detail.
• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.

Education and Experience:

• Highly desire a technical college diploma/degree in manufacturing, industrial/electrical systems, mechatronics, or related fields.
• PLC and HMI programming experience required.
• At least 3 years of industrial maintenance experience.
• Prefer experience in food manufacturing.
• OSHA-10 and/or OSHA-30 certifications are highly recommended.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of standing and walking on concrete floors in production environments.
• Occasional periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Work around moving parts, loud noise and vibrating equipment.
• Work with sanitizers and cleaning chemicals.
• Works on ladders, raised platforms, scaffolds and confined spaces.
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds at times.
• Must be able to access and navigate each department at the organization’s facilities.