Location: Albert Lea, MN Exemption: Nonexempt Shift: OUR COMPANY: Ventura Foods is a leading global manufacturer of branded and custom food products that proudly helps food providers in the U.S., Canada and more than 60 other countries earn a special place on consumers' tables. We do this by continually crafting custom dressings, sauces, mayonnaises, and other food solutions that exceed peoples' expectations for great-tasting flavors and high-quality ingredients.
Headquartered in Brea, California, Ventura Foods operates 14 manufacturing facilities, 3 culinary centers, and numerous distribution centers across North America. When you work in our manufacturing and distribution facilities, you get a strong foundation of training, a manager who cares about you and celebrates your success, a safe environment, and challenging work. As part of our team, your future is limited only by how much you're willing to push yourself to get there. We invest in your growth, because you invest in ours. Position Summary: Create and support preventative maintenance strategies and activities for electrical and automation systems within the plant, and assist in troubleshooting electrical, instrumentation and control issues to minimize downtime due to equipment failure. Lead initiatives to increase the electrical and controls effectiveness of plant equipment and help increase efficiencies by implementing new control methodologies to improve control systems operation and reliability. Work with Engineering Manager and Maintenance Manager to implement training and develop maintenance staff in electrical and control systems to support maintenance department training strategies. Aid in executing focused improvement projects for all electrical and automation systems.
Major Duties and Responsibilities: Manage and maintain controls/PLC including instrumentation maintenance of facility equipment such as boilers, air compressors, chillers, waste water treatment plant, HVAC, dock doors, lighting, main tank farm, rail car unloading, ammonia refrigeration system. Ensure all wiring is done to NEC code. Create and support preventative maintenance strategies and activities for electrical and automation systems. Maintain all electrical/automation/plc/hmi programs with backup. Install and wire new devices as needed to stay ahead of obsolescence. Train, assist and support troubleshooting of electrical components, instrumentation and control issues to minimize downtime due to equipment failure. Replace failed devices, pull new wire as needed and install updated components as required. Develop and implement cost saving opportunities with provided resources to improve reliability of plant equipment control systems. Impart PLC and control systems technical knowledge to Mx through in house training to enhance the technical and troubleshooting skills of the personnel. Design and develop new control methodologies to increase efficiencies or production. Develop and apply PLC and HMI programming changes to plant systems during troubleshooting activities and projects to increase efficiency. Assist in planning and completion of maintenance and facility based special projects managing the complete electrical process and contractors to ensure consistency across the plant. Responsible for following all Food Safety policies, procedures and regulatory criterion including the current SQF code, Good Manufacturing Practices, and the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and associated Preventive Controls. Education and Experience: Technical Degree in Electrical / Electronics Engineering or equivalent experience. Minimum (8) years of high level experience in computer languages, basic programming, and/or instrumentation fields. Troubleshooting and working experience with AllenBradley and Siemens software. RSLogix 500, RSLogix 5000, Factory Talk, View ME/Drive Executive; Drive Monitor; Keyence Camera recognition systems for tracking product with barcode or image markings, Ink Jet Systems. Knowledge and Skills: Electro/Mechanical background coupled with general knowledge of hydraulics, pneumatics, steam and refrigeration systems. In depth knowledge of control system hardware, and processing flow. Demonstrate problem-solving and communication skills when interacting with internal/external personnel. Robotics, Human Machine Interface Touch Screens , Schematic Layouts & Fault Recovery Procedures, Programmable Logic Controllers - PLC. Drive Controllers & Motors, Facilities & Machine Wiring Physical Demands: Regularly requires intermittent sitting, standing, walking, climbing, squatting, kneeling, pushing, and pulling. Physical strength and dexterity sufficient to perform the required task(s). Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds or more with assistance. Additional demands may be required.
Work Environment: In addition to normal business hours, work schedules may include after hours and weekends as needed. May work outside and in adverse temperatures which include extreme hot, cold, and humidity. May be exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals and vibration. Must be willing and able to wear personal protective equipment as required by established Company Safety standards. May require work in confined and dark spaces, and at heights in excess of 18 feet for prolonged periods of time.
Diversity & Inclusion: Our commitment to a diverse and inclusive environment in which all employees are treated with respect is evident in our company culture and values. We believe that fostering an environment of inclusion and a focus on diversity across our organization is vital to attracting top talent, driving innovation, and meeting the high expectations of our customers in a rapidly evolving global marketplace.
Ventura Foods is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
