Senior Controls/PLC Technician

Job: Senior Controls/PLC Technician

Location: Mars Petcare (Temple, Texas)

Shift: Day based: Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm; on call support 24/7

Mars Petcare is seeking a PLC Technician to join our exciting pet food business at a manufacturing plant in Temple, Texas. We focus our attention on the unique needs of cats and dogs. That obsession with detail allows us to deliver precise, effective nutrition and help them become their magnificent best.

As part of our overall total compensation package, Mars Petcare offers a competitive benefits package to all associates: Medical, Dental, Vision & Life Insurance, Short- & Long-Term Disability, and 401k match. Associates are also immediately eligible (based on hire date) for up to three weeks of vacation, 11 Paid Holidays per year, Sick Pay, Maternity & Parental Leave, and annual bonus earning potential, plus many other ancillary benefits not listed here.

The Senior Controls Technician is responsible for the efficient, safe, and reliable operating condition of the site manufacturing control and electrical systems. The Senior Controls Technician must be multi-skilled to manage, maintain, and troubleshoot site’s electrical power systems, instrumentation, motor controls, PLC, HMI, data systems, and factory control infrastructure (servers, PC’s, and networks). Additionally, the Senior Controls Technician also directs the modification and installation of control systems and facilitates the transfer of knowledge of control systems and electrical projects. The Senior Controls Technician is responsible to identify, prioritize, plan, and execute day-to-day activities with little or no supervision. Responsibilities could include the technical development of other Controls Technicians.

Key Responsibilities:

• Identify and recommend changes to improve plant performance utilizing existing or new control systems.  Make program modifications in PLC’s logic, HMI’s programs, and servo controller logic to improve equipment performance. 
• Troubleshoot machine breakdowns and malfunctions utilizing a working knowledge of control system programs and tools required to troubleshoot PLC’s, HMIs, and VFD/servo systems including electrical schematics, programming software, meters, and other electrical test equipment.
• Train and assist technicians to troubleshoot, repair, replace and commission all electrical control devices including AC drives, DC drives, Servo Controllers, contactors, motors, breakers, solenoids power supplies and indicator lights.  All PLC/HMI hardware including processors, discrete and analog I/O cards, power supplies, network adapters, I/O hardware, and operator interfaces,
• Act as technical resource to operations, maintenance on controls related issues. Assist operations and maintenance associates to meet daily priorities, coverage, and special projects.
• Execute to KPI’s related to Factory Controls & IT infrastructure, Services and Solutions to include Performance, Availability and Functionality Metrics
• Prepare job aids, user documentation, systems documentation, standard operating procedures, and training materials for plant automation systems.

Key Functional Skills/Knowledge

• Owner of the Factory Controls & IT Infrastructure in assigned area
• Accountable for Implementation of Factory Controls & IT Projects
• Supervise the work activities of outside contractors, controls technicians, and other associates with the installation of instrumentation, PLC based control systems, and PC based operator interfaces
• Interact with Maintenance Department in order to solve/define Improvements
• Engage in Regional and Global Factory Controls & IT Infrastructure related Projects if necessary
• Oversee/Execute Engineering Projects by overseeing the design of control systems utilizing standardized design methodologies

Minimum Qualifications:

• 2-year Technical Degree (Electrical/Electronic/Controls/Automation) OR equivalent experience
• 3 - 5 years Factory Controls & IT experience, including production system troubleshooting and problem resolution
• Possess or can obtain Operational Electrical Qualification Certificate (must be able to work independently on live electrical panels)
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Microsoft Excel
• Server Administration knowledge
• Virtual Infrastructure Administration knowledge
• Equipment Architecture knowledge
• Knowledge of databases such as Microsoft Access, Microsoft SQL Server, and database connectivity using ODBC and Wonderware, Rockwell, Siemens, or equivalent automation software
• Working knowledge of AutoCAD and SolidWorks PDM
• Good understanding of interfacing with PLC's, scales, display devices, and any other controls-related devices
• Understanding of networks

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electrical/Electronic/Controls/Automation)
• 6 - 10 years of Factory Controls & IT experience

About Mars, Incorporated 

Mars is a family-owned business with over a century of history, making diverse products and offering services for people and the pets people love. With almost $35 billion in sales, the company is a global business that produces some of the world’s best-loved brands: M&M’s®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, MILKY WAY®, DOVE®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, EXTRA®, ORBIT®, 5, SKITTLES®, UNCLE BEN’S®, MARS DRINKS and COCOAVIA®. Mars also provides veterinary health services that include BANFIELD® Pet Hospitals, Blue Pearl®, VCA® and Pet Partners. Headquartered in McLean, VA, Mars operates in more than 80 countries. The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom – inspire its more than 100,000 Associates to create value for all its partners and deliver growth they are proud of every day.

Mars is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.