Sr. Project Manager-Automation Controls Engineer

Perdue Foods is part of Perdue Farms, a family-owned company heading into its second century of growth and innovation. With a goal of becoming the most trusted name in premium proteins, we create products for consumers and for retail and foodservice customers around the globe, while changing the way animals are raised for food.

Summary

This role is responsible for leading project management activities around automation for all manufacturing lines within the Premium Prepared Division within Perdue Foods and ensure that the automation/controls engineering activities meet the company's objectives.  This includes the development and execution of the automation roadmap for the division. Manage the automation systems and help with control system design, specification, commissioning, trouble-shooting and implementing preventative maintenance measures on various building systems, production equipment, conveyers, automation equipment and robotic equipment.    The role includes developing and improving new and existing equipment used in the manufacturing process. It will also include upgrading existing equipment where the control system has become obsolete. This position is a liaison between Engineering, Operations, Finance, IT, Maintenance, Safety and Quality around design, installing, maintaining, repairing, troubleshooting, programming, and modifying controls and automation systems.

 

Principal and Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Participate in initial equipment conceptual development and carefully balance product specifications, process control requirements, layout complexity, cost, quality and lead-time limits.
• Acting as lead for the site automation project portfolio.  Ensure compliance with all technical processes. Acting as lead for the site automation project portfolio.  Ensure compliance with all technical processes.
• Directs and coordinates operation, maintenance, and repair of equipment and systems in field installations.
• Implement (ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA compliant) control reliable safety systems for safeguarding robots, conveyors, and other high-volume manufacturing equipment.
• Introduce automated processes into production, and train and Maintenance and Production Teams to support after deployment into production.
• Upgrading of existing equipment and integration of existing equipment with new automation.  Alterations to existing manuals and wiring diagrams, implementation of training packages for equipment altered.  Assist in creating Obsolescence Masterplan for all sites as is relates to controls systems.
• Create machine interactions with plant-wide Manufacturing Execution System (MES) to communicate product acceptability, machine status, and process variables
• Participate in equipment specification and standard creation, release to Vendor and quote technical evaluation.  Assist in building design review capability for all projects (for the controls architecture aspect)
• Support operations productivity agenda by providing technical expertise for automation solutions.
• Debug and optimize automated processes to maximize cycle time, improve availability and yield.

Principal and Essential Duties and Responsibilities Continued

1. Characterize and validate automated processes using a data driven approach such as simulation, Capacity and Capability statistical test (Gage Repeatability and Reproducibility test, Cpk, etc.),
2. Support and coach the site reliability teams through the development and guidelines, skills definition, maintenance execution, trouble-shooting, change management and spare parts standardization.
3. Assembly Line Development and Implementation.
4. The ideal candidate takes pride in his/her hands-on work, analytical ability, organizational skills and attention to detail. He/She appreciates an environment where superior work is encouraged, noticed and rewarded and where individuals carry tremendous responsibility.
5. Participate in continuous improvement activities and performance teams for suggesting methods to improve processes, efficiency, quality and service.
6. Manages simultaneously multiple high-visibility projects and tasks while effectively influencing, negotiating, and communicating with customers, internal and external business partners, contractors, and vendors.
7. Follow all company policies and procedures including, but not limited to GMP, HACCP, Health and Safety, Attendance.

Minimum Education

BS/MS Electrical Engineering (or equivalent – Majors in: Controls and Computer Control Systems, Mechatronic Engineering, Automation Engineering, etc.

Experience Requirements

• Minimum 5 years of experience as a hands-on Controls Engineer or Applications Engineer working on automation and/or electromechanical systems
• Minimum of 5 years executing and man