Controls Engineering Manager

Who We Are

At Freshpet, our goal is to change the way people nourish their pets forever. We strive to strengthen the bond between people and our pets so that we both live longer, healthier, and happier lives while being kind to the planet. We believe that if we can create fresh, real foods that pets love and help them live healthier lives that their pet parents will also enjoy the many benefits of a rich life shared with a pet.

We started off with a mission to change the way pet parents feed dogs and cats, but we also wanted to be a company that had a thoughtful approach to how we operate. We wanted to do things differently, make great products but be gentle to the planet, good to the people who touch our business, and leave a positive impact with everything we do. We work hard every day to ensure that the original vision is met, starting with making the highest quality foods in our kitchens to running our business with integrity, transparency, and social and environmental responsibility. IT’S AMAZING WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN YOU START COMPLETELY FRESH!

What You Will Do

As the Controls Manager, you will lead and manage the Controls department. In partnering with Safety, Quality, Operations, R&D and Maintenance you will proactively ensure products are manufactured right the first time to meet the business objectives related to safety, quality and cost. You will provide technical guidance and expertise, assisting and coaching Maintenance, Operations and direct technical reports. Work with the Team to develop a culture of problem identification and solution, while encouraging a high level of cross functional communication. Be a technical resource to the plant leadership team and maintain the Manufacturing Execution System (MES).

How You Will Make An Impact

Optimize electrical/process control hardware and software to maintain high levels of safety, quality, efficiency, and reliability

Maintain liaisons with other departments to provide necessary support and expertise for the execution of capital projects, continuous improvement projects and daily operational KPIs

Coordinate component specification, design, qualification and documentation of equipment and control systems

Support operational performance improvement efforts. Identify opportunities to reduce labor and/or energy and improve process and equipment quality and efficiency through sound engineering and design practices

Provides technical support of automation and controls systems for a 24/7 manufacturing operation including hands-on assistance and troubleshooting

Advise and assist in start-up and troubleshooting of processes and equipment

Advise and assist in effecting design changes to facilitate installation, improve equipment efficiency and/or reduce cost of operation

Diagnoses electrical wiring, relay logic, control and safety circuits, electronic boards, PLC's, HMI’s, contactors, and motors

Works closely with the Maintenance and Operations personnel to address plant issues and to incorporate new equipment, capabilities, and controls into plant operation

Provides technical guidance and expertise to enhance troubleshooting skills and controls expertise of Maintenance technicians

Assures uniformity of component specifications, system design, and documentation

Availability on nights, weekends, and holidays to manage project work and to respond to emergencies. (On Call Rotation)

Supports safety initiatives and behavioral based safety observation program

Support operational performance improvement efforts to reduce costs, improve efficiency, reliability and quality which may require working some weekends and holidays

Ensures the highest levels of safety, quality, sanitation, and regulatory compliance with NEC, GMP, SQF and other codes and standards

What You Will Bring

BS in Engineering, Electrical or Electronics/Controls Engineering preferred or demonstrated level of training and experience comparable to a BS technical degree

8+ years of hands-on experience troubleshooting manufacturing controls systems

5 years controls engineering experience in the food, beverage or pharmaceutical industry

3 years managing technical direct reports

Proficiency with Allen Bradley equipment and systems: (ControlLogix, SLC-500, PlantPAx, Micro, Remote IO, PowerFlex Drives, SMC Soft Starters, E300/200 Electronic Overloads, Panelview Plus, PanelView 5000, Thin Client, Stratix switches, and generic field IO Devices)

Proficiency with Rockwell Software (Studio5K, FTView, Logix 500, Linx, AssetCentre, Historian, ThinManager etc.)

Proficiency with AutoCAD – Autodesk software

Electrical knowledge (National Electrical Code) and control system design to meet NEC and NFPA requirements

Good understanding of motor controls circuits

In-depth understanding of Ethernet/IP communication protocol

Hands-on experience calibrating/setting up industrial instrumentation, flowmeters, level sensors and others

Intermediate to advanced computer skills including Microsoft Office

Must be a self-starter with a high-level integrity and honesty

Ability to read, write, analyze, and interpret technical procedures & electrical diagrams

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions

Ability to work with a sense of urgency to resolve issues and to meet deadlines

Ability to work in a team environment

Ability to multi-task with accuracy

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form

What We Offer

At Freshpet, we offer a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package, including medical, dental and vision insurance, basic and optional life insurance, short- and long-term disability protection, flexible spending accounts, and a 401(k) plan with company match, paid parental leave, pet insurance, tuition assistance, a generous PTO plan and so much more!

Our Commitment to a Diverse Workforce:

At Freshpet, we embrace and encourage our employees’ differences in age, sex, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique.

Freshpet aims to foster, cultivate and preserve a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. Our employees are our most valuable assets. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, inventiveness, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities and talent that our employees invest in their work represents a significant part of not only our culture, but our reputation and company’s achievement as well. Freshpet is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Disclaimers

We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas.

Freshpet is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. Please, no phone calls or emails. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Freshpet via-email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of Freshpet. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Freshpet as a result of the referral or through other means.