Automation Controls Specialist

About SunOpta

SunOpta delivers customized supply chain solutions and innovation for top brands, retailers, and foodservice providers across a broad portfolio of beverages, broths, and better-for-you snacks. With over 50 years of expertise, SunOpta fuels customers’ growth with high-quality, sustainability-forward solutions distributed through retail, club, foodservice, and e-commerce channels across North America.

Job Summary:

The Automation & Controls (ANC) Specialist is responsible for supervising and coordinating the daily activities of Control Technicians while providing technical leadership and support for the facility's automation, controls, and electrical systems. Reporting directly to the ANC Engineer, this position plays a key role in ensuring equipment reliability, control system integrity, and operational performance within an aseptic manufacturing environment.

The ANC Specialist supports the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of automation and control systems through technical troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, project execution, and identification of opportunities to improve safety, quality, efficiency, and reliability. Key responsibilities include Control Technician supervision and development, maintenance and operational support, continuous improvement, capital project support, contractor coordination, and sustaining the long-term reliability and lifecycle of plant automation and control systems.

Essential Functions of the Job:

• Troubleshooting, Training, Optimization of controls related functions. Ownership of calibration program and guard challenges.
• Support the implementation, coordination, and ongoing management of the facility’s Electrical Safety Program.
• Typical maintenance functions: PM's, Corrective Maintenance, Line Support.
• Provide technical support for safety, quality, reliability and cost improvement initiatives, with an emphasis on automation, controls, and electrical systems.
• Communicate technical changes, improvement opportunities, and operational concerns to the ANC Engineer while ensuring alignment and coordination with applicable plant departments.
• Coordinate and oversee contracted services related to automation, controls, and electrical systems, ensuring compliance with established safety procedures, contractor policies, quality standards, and performance expectations.
• Participate in the evaluation and selection of contractors and technical service providers to support automation, controls, and electrical system requirements.
• Support the development, planning, and execution of capital projects related to automation, controls, and electrical systems, including identifying improvement opportunities, evaluating equipment and technologies, and providing technical recommendations to the ANC Engineer.
• Ability to read, comprehend and interpret electrical and mechanical drawings, diagrams, charts and equipment specifications.
• Understands how to read and translate the information found within all: PLC code, Schematic wiring, Ladder and P&ID process diagrams.
• Expert skills with PLC, HMI, VFD’s, Servo, Sensors, Instrumentation and industrial control systems, including advanced programming techniques and configurations.
• Troubleshooting of Industrial Networks, including Ethernet, DeviceNET, ControlNET, and others.
• Provide effective advanced troubleshooting support, following best practices for safety and fault isolation.
• Effectively communicate technical information and provide instruction, training, and guidance to Control Technicians, Maintenance personnel, equipment operators, and management on automation, controls and equipment functionality, operation, and troubleshooting.
• Assist with preparing bid sheets and contract specifications.
• Tests newly installed equipment to ensure fulfillment of contract specifications.
• Collaborates with cross-functional groups including Production, Human Resources, Quality, Supply Chain, Warehouse, and Finance to meet production targets.
• Develops, recommends, and implements measures to improve machines and plant equipment to maximize efficiency.
• Oversees installation, modifications, quality control testing, operating procedure, and inspection processes adhering to engineering principles and safety regulations.
• Models a strong sense of ownership and accountability. Shows flexibility and a “whatever it takes” attitude to get the job done right, including being on-call at nights and weekends as needed.
• Responsible for ensuring work area is clean and organized.
• Serves as a safety model, promoting a high level of safety awareness and continuous improvement in safety practices.
• Demonstrates a commitment to Quality.
• Adheres to company GMP’s (good manufacturing practices), safety procedures and all other quality processes.
• Wear PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) when required.
• All other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Hourly Control Technicians.

Qualifications:

• BS in Electrical, Mechanical or Computer Engineering or a 2-year technical degree with emphasis in electrical circuits, automation, PLC Programming. Years of experience will be taken into consideration.
• 5-10 years PLC and HMI programing experience.
• Experience with the design, implementation, commissioning and troubleshooting of industrial control systems.
• Experience in a food processing/manufacturing environment is preferred.
• Strong technical, communication, organization, and leadership skills.
• Ability to supervise, mentor, and develop Controls Technicians while supporting daily ANC operations.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Ability to interpret complex technical documentation.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, along with the ability to communicate effectively across multiple organizational levels.
• Ability to coordinate technical activities and resources.
• Sound working knowledge of Electrical Safe Work Practices, Ac and DC Electrical Theory, and reading/creating electrical prints and control schematics.
• Experience wit HMI systems, pneumatic and hydraulic valves, photo eyes, proximity sensors, limit switches, breakers, and fuses.
• Exceptional mechanical skills and aptitude.
• Knowledgeable in the use of PLC configuration and programing software.
• Experience with motor control, personal computer hardware/software and computer networks.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing practices is a plus.
• Working knowledge of MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Additional Considerations:

• Travel Expectation: Up to 15%.
• Location: This position will at our SunOpta Plant in Allentown, PA.
• Work Environment: 20% of work is performed in an office environment; approximately 80% of work may be done in a plant / manufacturing environment.

Featured Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Paid Family leave
• Paid maternity leave
• 401(k) with Match
• Voluntary Life, Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital indemnity
• Paid Holidays
• Tuition assistance
• Short-term and Long-term Disability insurance

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