Controls Engineer
- Lawrence, KS
- Permanent
- Full-time
BrandAt Post Consumer Brands, we’ve spent generations showing up for families, starting with breakfast, the most important meal of the day. Our cereals have become a trusted part of daily routines, helping spark conversations, fuel busy mornings, and create everyday moments that bring families closer together, including their furry four-legged family members, who have recently become a part of our story. As families have evolved, so have we. What began at the breakfast table has expanded into snacks, peanut butter, and, more recently, pet food, because caring for a family means feeding every part of it. With the addition of several iconic pet brands, we’ve extended our purpose: to make high-quality, accessible food for everyone under the same roof.This phase is still new, and that’s what makes it exciting. As we continue to grow across grocery and pet, we’re looking for people who care about good food, thoughtful work, and the kind of impact that stretches from store shelves to kitchen tables, and food bowls, across the country.
Location DescriptionThe Lawrence, Kansas facility is 236,000 square feet and home to about 155 hard working team members who are proud to produce iconic pet food brands like Kibbles 'n Bits®. Lawrence is a college town and the home to both the University of Kansas and Haskell Indian Nations University with Kansas State University about 85 miles away. The city is known for a thriving music and art scene and is also the home of the University of Kansas athletic teams.
ResponsibilitiesThe Controls Engineer will provide key leadership with regard to power and control systems, equipment specification and maintenance, proper operation, technician development, troubleshooting and repair to achieve or exceed the reliability targets of the plant. This role has responsibility for systems optimization, compliance, personnel safety and technician skill development relative to plant electrical power and process control systems.KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Serves as primary administrator and troubleshooter for plant power and control systems and is a key member of plant technical leadership.
- Works with the Project Engineers to develop and manage power and control standards and ensure application of the standards on all projects and upgrades.
- Owns and leads the execution of the site masterplan for power and controls systems to include understanding of the installed base, and replacement plan for obsolete equipment/technologies. Updates this plan annually.
- Builds and maintains a sustainable system for plant Electrical & Instrumentation (E&I) technicians skill development. Coaches the Maintenance Supervisor on skill assessment and development of E&I technicians within the department. Works with plant leadership to build and maintain sustainable process and machine control onboarding and ongoing development systems for plant Engineers, Interns and Supervisors.
- Knows, communicates, and ensures technician compliance to local and national regulator codes (NFPA 70, NFPA 70e, NFPA 79 and OSHA 1910). Is also responsible for ensuring equipment and safe practice compliance in their area of responsibility.
- Responsible for validation of the MES data from PLCs. Support plant Process Engineers in conditioning PLC data to accommodate effective data analysis including application development.
- Owns the validity and ongoing system for maintaining the site sustainability metering equipment (power monitors and usage flow meters). Owns using the power monitoring data and developing plans to reduce overall consumption and costs.
- Provides expertise in the design and implementation of machine control and process automation applications, such as: control strategies, HMI design, MES applications and KPI development.
- Works with Project Engineers, department management and technicians to identify losses, and develop plans and strategies to eliminate them, in the areas of safety, quality, reliability and cost.
- Owns systems related to power and control system such as electrical safety (LOTO, Electrical PPE, Energized work permits, low voltage qualification, etc.) and Quality/CCP compliance (checkweighers, metal detectors, vision systems, ingredient flows, temperatures, etc.).
- Works closely with engineering and operations leaders on selection and installation/start-up of new equipment. Becomes the technical expert on new equipment and ensures the training of others regarding control systems.
- Serves as project manager for initiatives ranging from E&I focused projects to complete capital projects.
- Provides power and controls engineering support on capital initiatives.
- Provides support throughout other parts of the plant as needed on a daily basis.
- Learns and applies advance control, simulation and process modeling technologies to analyze and improve overall process and packaging operations.
QualificationsEDUCATION
Bachelor's Degree in Engineering is required; Electrical engineering degree is preferredEXPERIENCE
2-5 years of relevant controls experience is required
Manufacturing experience is preferred
Mechanical and electrical experience in food manufacturing is preferredSKILLS & ABILITIESAbility to work and manage within a team environment
Strong knowledge of machine and/or process control hardware, instrumentation and software including Allen Bradley PLC and Rockwell FactoryTalk platforms
Working knowledge of NFPA and OSHA guidelines related to electrical equipment and practices
Proficiency in plant historian
Understanding of technical systems and terminology
Experience learning and integrating new technologies
Experience leading the installation of equipment in food manufacturing environment
Demonstrated results in manufacturing maintenance utilizing maintenance systems
Experience with plant systems software
Self-motivated and able to motivate others
Strong organizational, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
Effective presentation, verbal, and written communication skills
Proficient in Microsoft Suite applications
Excellent interpersonal skills
Willingness to work off-shifts or weekends as needed, as well as to take off-shift support calls as needed
Experience leading, teaching or managing others effectively
Able to perform moderate activity including but not limited to, significant time spent on manufacturing floor and some physical work on equipmentSome travel requiredPost Holdings provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, status as a covered veteran and any other category protected under applicable federal, state, provincial and local laws.