Controls Technician (A Shift) (Topeka, KS, US)

Company: Mars
Location: Topeka
Posted on: June 9, 2021

Job Description:

A mutually rewarding experience.

Work. Realize your ambitions. And realize there's more to being in business than just making a profit. That's the Mars philosophy. And the opportunity we offer every one of our Associates. An opportunity to take what you do and make it mean more for you, for those around you and for the planet. What you get here is challenging, interesting work. You get the tools you need to do a great job and you get to have the best possible people on your side to help you do it. And at the same time as getting to find ways to do business better today than we did it yesterday and driving a great career, you also get to build a more enlightened business and drive sustainability.

Because it's never just about a single person, a single project or a single brand. It's about how you can grab everything that's within your reach here and use it to pursue mutual, long-term gain. It's about having ideas. And ideals. Being prepared to risk failure because the promise of success means we'll all be a little better off. It's that mix of integrity and ambition that makes Mars such a special place to work. And why working here is always about more than just a job.

About Mars, Incorporated

Mars is a family-owned business with more than 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.

Job Title: Controls Technician (A Shift)

Hours: 11pm (previous day)-7:30am; Monday (Sunday night)-Friday

Job Purpose/Overview

The Site Controls Technician primary responsibility is the day to day support of the site Instrumentation & Electrical equipment, and Factory Controls & IT systems. Additionally, they will help execute the strategy for Factory Controls & IT Asset Health Check Program.

Key Responsibilities

Delivery of Control & IT Solutions related Services

• Accountable for problem resolution for Instrumentation and Electrical equipment within assigned area
• Accountable for problem resolution for Factory Controls & IT systems within assigned area
• Interact with Maintenance department in order to solve problems and define improvements
• Supports the Automation Roadmap Strategy & Cyber Security Compliance
• Support for Ops, IE's, and Engineering Teams responsible for delivery of Factory Controls & IT Initiatives
• Support as directed, Engineering Projects by participating the design and check out of control systems
• Support 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
• Prepare job aids, user documentation, systems documentation, standard operating procedures, and training materials for plant automation systems
• Identify opportunities and recommend changes to improve plant performance
• Provide input into site engineering standards for programming and systems design
• Assist in performing programming, testing, and debugging for new systems as well as for the enhancement of existing systems
• Modify systems including, but not limited to, Wonderware, Rockwell, Siemens, Iconics, and Traksys applications to support engineering projects
• Support the plant with control technologies for Level I, Level II, Level III, and Factory IT control systems

Provide Strategy for Factory Control & IT Asset Health Check Program

• Recognize current phase of lifecycle for each Infrastructure Solution and Service and prepare appropriate action plan

Business Engagement and Communication (for assigned areas)

• Support all topics related to Factory Controls & IT Infrastructure
• Provide the communication and marketing of Factory Controls & IT Infrastructure Solution and Services to engineering, maintenance, and production
• Proficient in Factory Controls & IT, demonstrating clear understanding of the problems and opportunities for business change
• Proficient in Instrumentation and Electrical equipment
• Collaborate with shift-based production and maintenance teams to understand any breakdown or reliability issues
• Achieve and maintain a high level of technical competency
• Train and support non-technical users on the use of plant floor automation systems

Context and Scope

Responsibilities include supporting the Controls Engineer and Senior Controls Technicians on Capital projects and the development of Area Coverage Technicians. Key concepts of the role includes, but not limited to, developing control concepts, program design, coding and implementation, instrumentation selection and operator interface development.

Additionally, the Controls Technician also executes the modification and installation of control systems utilizing the Change Control process for assigned areas; transfers knowledge of control systems and electrical projects; supports and maintains controls networks for assigned areas, web servers, data historian and operator interface systems.

Job Specifications/Qualifications

Education & Professional Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• 2-year Technical Degree/Certificate (Electrical/Electronic/Controls/Automation) or equivalent experience
• Possess or can obtain Operational Electrical Qualification Certificate (must be able to work independently on live electrical panels)

Preferred Qualifications

• 2-year Technical Degree (Electrical/Electronic/Controls/Automation)
• 2 - 3 years Instrumentation & Electrical, Electronics, or Factory Controls & IT experience, including production system troubleshooting and problem resolution

Knowledge / Experience

Minimum Qualifications

• 1 -2 years Instrumentation & Electrical, Electronics, or Factory Controls & IT experience, including production system troubleshooting and problem resolution

Preferred Qualifications

• Server Administration, Virtual Infrastructure Administration, & Database Administration knowledge
• Cisco Equipment Architecture knowledge

Key Functional Competencies & Technical Skills

• In-depth contact with users must be maintained to gather information processing on problems or requirements
• Demonstrate the ability to analyze and test applications for Factory Control & IT systems
• Good understanding of Operating Systems environments including Microsoft Windows PC and Server Operating systems, Active Directory, other Microsoft technologies, and thin-client technologies
• Basic knowledge of AutoCAD and SolidWorks PDM
• Ability to work well with user departments to provide operational support in the use of HMI terminals, including thin-client, along with software applications on Control Systems
• Basic knowledge of databases such as Microsoft Access, Microsoft SQL Server, and database connectivity using ODBC and Wonderware automation software
• Basic knowledge of web application development including basic web design, web connectivity, and database access
• Understanding of networks including, but not limited to, Modbus +, Ethernet, Devicenet, and/or Profibus
• Ability to troubleshoot programs residing in, but not limited to, Modicon, Siemens, and/or Rockwell Automation PLC Control Systems in the plant
• Must have a good understanding of interfacing with PLC's, scales, display devices, and other Instrumentation & Electrical related devices

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.

Keywords: Mars, Topeka , Controls Technician (A Shift) (Topeka, KS, US), Other , Topeka, Kansas