Maintenance-Industrial Controls Technician

Manuel E. Vieira, Inc.is one of American’s leading suppliers of fresh conventional and certified organic sweet potatoes in the United States. Founded in 1960 the business has flourished due to the warm climate and sandy soil which creates ideal growing conditions. Today more than 90 percent of California’s sweet potato crop is grown in Merced County. We are a fully integrated organization who prides itself in being a field to fork operation.

As a Maintenance Industrial Controls Technician at Manuel E. Vieira, Inc., you will be an important member of our supply chain team. Our goal is to be the industry leader by meeting customer needs related to order fulfillment and quality. We have immediate openings for individuals who are wanting to join our team to operate and maintain equipment on a highly automated packaging line in a multi-faceted food plant. This position will report to the Maintenance Supervisor. Responsibilities are to include conducting preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, and maintaining the process and packaging equipment associated with this line.

Essential Duties:

Follow all safety procedures and best practices related to equipment and tools as well as maintains any associated record keeping.

Responsible for set up, limiting downtime and achieves established operating efficiencies.

Performs duties to install, test, maintain, inspect, modify, and repair all automation equipment, components and controls systems using a thorough knowledge of electronics, ethernet communication protocols, I/O verification, level controls, and pneumatic-hydraulic controls.

Coordinate with contractors and vendors to maintain plant operations as well as new project support

Trouble shoot and diagnose cause of electronic or mechanical malfunctions using knowledge, manuals, SOPs, specifications and other workplace aids. Identifies root cause and corrective actions for equipment and system alarms and jams. Communicates directly with equipment suppliers, contractors and vendors, as necessary.

Resolves and repairs all system faults and anomalies associated with installation, operation, maintenance, and connectivity problems, including changes, adjustments, and modifications to control code and standard operating parameters. Writes and debugs PLC ladder logic. Makes recommendations to/for major corrective actions.

Uses computers, precision measuring instruments, hand and/or power tools and electrical repair or modification tools.

Performs routine preventative and corrective maintenance and testing on equipment. Performs a large variety of tests on all electrical and electronic systems. Dismantles, cleans, repairs and tests electrical, electronic and mechanical components. Heavy coordination with engineers and external sources for timely repairs or replacement of parts to ensure machine downtime is minimal.

Maintains preventative maintenance logs and accurate records of all testing and repairs.

Manages and coordinates with team members to coordinate on-site installation of automation equipment. Exercising independent discretion, examining layout and anticipating difficulties and challenges. Based on technical expertise, recommends and implements improvements.

Provides guidance and maintenance training to production supervisors, manufacturing engineers, and maintenance mechanics in the operation, repair, maintenance, and logistics support of machinery and equipment.

Develops Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), technical documentation, and instruction manuals for operation, processes and maintenance of automation equipment. Maintains technical manuals, PLC/HMI backup programs and job files.

Follow and promote all health and safety rules, regulations and practices. Locks out equipment for proper and safe handling and servicing.

Troubleshoot problems dealing with plant instrumentation and automation equipment to include but not limited to the following: valves; pressure; temperature; level, flow, conductivity, speed, force instruments; motor controls; PLC’s, HMI’s, etc.;

Calibrate plant instruments to include but not limited to the following: valves; pressure, temperature, level, flow, pH, conductivity, weight, force and speed instruments;

Work closely with Maintenance Supervisor to develop and execute preventative and predictive maintenance programs and procedures to reduce mechanical downtime and to ensure that breakdown and repairs are minimized.

Inspects operating machines and equipment for conformance with operational standards.

Assists in the training of new Operator/Mechanics.

All other duties as assigned.

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.

Strong troubleshooting and electro-mechanical skills.

Allen-Bradley PLC certifications is preferred.

Calibration experience is a plus.

Must have advanced level understanding of automated control systems and integration, electronics, pneumatic-hydraulic controls, HMI touch panels, and PLC programming.

Ability to work a flexible schedule.

Good past work history and attendance.

Good communication and interpersonal skills.

Comply with all Health and Safety programs.

Must be adaptive with an aptitude for change and continued learning/improvement.

Education:

High school diploma or GED required.

Experience:

A minimum of two years of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Manufacturing environment experience preferred.

Knowledge and Skills:

Candidate must possess a strong working knowledge of processing and packaging systems. Strong communications skills, with the ability to read and write in English. Ability to multitask in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. Ability to create momentum and foster organizational change. Bilingual in Spanish is beneficial.

Travel Requirements:

Minimal travel is required to various Manuel E. Vieira locations and for meetings or other job-related functions.

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

Physical Demands. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job in a food manufacturing environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands and fingers, handle, feel, type; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, or crawl; visual acuity including close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus talk or hear and taste or smell in a wet, cold and/or humid environment. The employee must have the ability to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds unassisted.

Work Environment. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job in a food manufacturing environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to wet and / or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places and extreme heat. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Approximately; 95% of work is performed in a manufacturing environment. 5% of work may involve being in an office environment.

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.