Automations Controls Technician I

SunOpta Overview:

SunOpta Inc. is a leader in the plant-based foods and beverages, fruit-based foods and beverages, and organic ingredient sourcing industries. SunOpta is focused on sustainability and specializes in the sourcing, processing, and packaging of organic, conventional, non-GMO food products.

SunOpta is looking for talented individuals that demonstrate our most valued behaviors: Passion, Dedication, Speed, Entrepreneurship, Customer-Centricity, and Problem-Solver, to help create a brighter, healthier, and sustainable future of food!

Job Summary:
This position is responsible for installing and maintaining the electrical systems, control systems, and process instrumentation throughout the facility. They will perform routine and emergency maintenance on electrical distribution systems, digital and analog control systems, PLC systems and networks, pneumatic systems, transducers, sensors, and other plant electrical devices. This role will perform diagnostic analysis of failed or faulty electrical, electronic, mechanical, and pneumatic components and systems to determine appropriate resolution for return to service. In addition, this position will perform periodic inspections, testing, adjustments, calibrations, and servicing activities necessary to maintain the electrical, and control systems in peak operating conditions.

Essential Functions of the Job:

• Installation and terminations.
• Suggest improvements that optimize performance regarding designs, installations, hardware selection, and safety practices.
• Properly operate equipment in the application deployed by understanding the principles by which process instrumentation functions and perform set-up and calibration tasks.
• Perform root-cause fault diagnostics on live electrical systems to identify and correct electrical, mechanical, control, pneumatic, and computer system failures.
• Perform the tasks associated with the preventative maintenance program which includes cleaning, lubrication, adjustments, visual inspections, minor repairs and calibrations, necessary to maintain equipment, machinery, instruments, testing equipment, wiring, and associated hardware at required intervals.
• Maintain and calibrate a variety of transducers
• Follow established programs, policies and practices to produce safe quality foods that meet regulatory and company requirements.
• Accountable to the SunOpta Manufacturing Food Safety and Quality Principles.
• All other duties, as assigned.

Key Accountabilities:

Safety

• Adheres to all plant safety rules
• Reports all near misses and accidents to the production supervisor and or HR representative
• Serves an active role the plant safety programs, by participating in monthly safety inspections and reporting any potential safety hazards to the safety committee or Management

Quality:

• Adheres to all Quality Assurance System guidelines
• Follows SOP’s and SSOP’s (standard operating procedures and sanitation standard operating procedures) when making processing adjustments, to ensure the manufacturing of high-quality liquid-based products.
• Responsible for compliance with GMP’s, HACCP and SQF programs
• Identifies all critical control points (CCP) understanding their functions it relates to the process.
• Accurately prepares and maintains processing area documentation.Writing legibly and completely filling out all documents. Operators name must be signed on each document used.

Maintenance

• When Maintenance is occurring in your work area, it is the expectation to assist the Maintenance Technicians in any capacity needed to expedite the repair process.
• When equipment is in a state of disrepair these items must be reported ASAP to avoid break downs.

Housekeeping

• Maintain a clean and organized work area
• Assists all areas of the plant with general housekeeping
• Cooperates with other shifts and the management team in housekeeping endeavors

Communications

• As a member of the Production team, ensures effective shift communication and teamwork with other operators occurs each scheduled shift.
• Maintains effective communication with members of the support group.
• When utilizing the Handheld radios employees are expected to be professional and respectful when communicating.

Teamwork and Training

• Promotes and contributes to the development of a strong team.
• Works well among co-workers as a team.
• Assist in coaching and training employees as requested by the management team.

Personal Development

• Continuously improve your knowledge of the Aseptic Filling process.
• Become familiar with SunOpta 360.
• Completes and adheres to the Annual Alchemy Schedule.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School diploma or GED required.
• A BS in electrical, mechanical or computer engineering is preferred, or 2-year technical degree with emphasis in electrical circuits, automation, and PLC programing.
• 3 – 5 years of PLC and HMI programming experience
• Familiar with Allen Bradley PanelView software and hardware

Preferred Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Must be able to run all processors, CIPs, and monitor all surge tanks.
• Understands procedures for all allergens and how to prevent cross contamination
• Must be able to perform maintenance on valves, surge tanks, and processors.
• Must be able to prepare and maintain accurate paperwork.
• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve moderate to complex issues associated with the processors and related equipment.
• Ability to assess a situation and make quick and accurate decisions that will aid in production
• Must adhere to all GMP's and Safety Procedures established by Management
• Understand terminology related to the process and surge equipment
• Must be able to stand and work for long periods of time (12) hours and lift a minimum 30-50 pounds frequently and push/pull pallet jacks and lifts with heavy loads

Knowledge and Skills:

Working knowledge of business, computer, and math, preferred. The candidate must be able to work effectively in a team-based environment, set priorities to meet deadlines, handle multiple tasks, and make decisions under pressure being able to work with minimal or no supervision.

Sound working knowledge of Electrical Safe Work Practices; AC and DC Electrical Theory; reading/creating electrical prints and control schematics; motor control; computer networks; Human Machine Interface (HMI) systems; pneumatic and hydraulic valves; photo eyes; proximity sensors; limit switches; breakers; fuses.

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

The work environment characteristics/physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Exposure to loud manufacturing environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, talk or hear and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

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.