Sr Automation / Controls Engineer

Job Location: Hershey, PA

Summary:

The Hershey Company Reese plant is a Non-Union plant producing products such as Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups & Kit Kat, in a high-speed complex environment.

• Ensures that control and networking systems are fully operational and reliable, as required to support the manufacturing processes, meeting all safety and quality requirements.
• With a continuous improvement mindset, leads the identification and execution of process improvement efforts in manufacturing processes.
• Supports development of digitalized manufacturing capabilities.
• Supports controls training and development of facility technical resources.
• Provides controls solutions for and support capital projects.
• Demonstrates the ability to identify proven, state-of-the-art control solutions that meet existing and new business requirements.

Responsibilities:

• Provide technical leadership and support to operational and maintenance staff in problem resolution and optimization of existing electrical control and automation systems.
• Support continuous improvement efforts, through the development and implementation of equipment capability and performance data improvements, resulting in increased operational capability, reliability, and efficiency.
• Lead and support the development of controls and instrumentation expertise for technical resources.
• Manage and support capital projects of limited scope; provide technical assistance to project teams; support development of future facility capital requirements.
• Develops and executes controls and automation strategies for process and packaging equipment optimization, including waste reduction, change-over improvement, reliability, efficiency, etc.
• Ensures process and packaging controls capabilities align with operational requirements (Lean, TPM).
• Coordinates and leads execution of controls upgrades and change requests through collaboration across Reese´s Campus.
• Effectively collaborates with corporate resources as needed.
• Supports the development of existing equipment autonomous maintenance activities (centerline, change-over).
• Provides technical leadership and support to operational and maintenance staff in training, troubleshooting and root cause analysis.
• Develops and manages controls capital projects for the facility.
• Assists in the development of 5-year capital plan.
• Collaborates with Maintenance to ensure proper asset reliability plans in place.
• Develops and manages external supplier relationships.

Minimum knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform major duties/responsibilities:

• Collaborative, hands-on approach to problem identification, resolution development and implementation; proven ability to work across multi-functional teams, utilizing data to support actions.
• Demonstrates understanding of required business objectives, including safety and quality requirements, when developing technical solutions.
• Demonstrates ability to develop, mentor, and train technical and operational personnel, to improve controls process knowledge and improvement capability.
• Proactively identifies opportunities to leverage new technologies for process improvement solutions.

• Knowledge, experience, and proficiency with control systems for manufacturing processes (food and beverage experience a plus), including:
• An advanced knowledge and experience with PLC, HMI, and motion control systems commonly used within industrial manufacturing processes:
  • Rockwell, Siemens, and Schneider Electric control systems.
  • A-B Factory Talk ME and SE, Ignition, Siemens, and Schneider Electric Vijeo machine interface systems.
  • GE Fanuc, Motoman and ABB robotic systems are a plus and may be added in the future.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements: 

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering or Engineering Technology OR Associate Degree with equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in manufacturing controls systems.

Additional Skills / Attributes:

• Familiarity and experience with manufacturing lean processes.
• Experience with reliability based preventative maintenance plans.
• Manufacturing digital information systems, specifically OSI PI.
• Experience using industrial instrumentation and process control systems, industrial computer systems, motor control, distributed control systems, electrical power, and other automation systems.

• Strong communication, Leadership, Coaching, and change management skills.
• Self-motivated and ability to prioritize multiple activities and manage volatile/changing conditions.
• Ability to work well in a team environment

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