Director of Controls Engineering

Purpose and role of job :

Responsible for managing and directing all Controls Engineering department functions across the Absorbent Hygiene division.

Provide engineering leadership in the electrical, controls, maintenance, and project functions including specifying, designing, and implementing complex controls systems and software programming on production equipment and associated machinery.

Identifying and implementing improvement programs in personnel skills, training, production equipment controls, processes, and preventative maintenance programs resulting in reduced manufacturing costs.

Principal Accountabilities / Responsibilities :

• Works closely with the engineering leaders to drive cross functional and divisional projects and initiatives for the AbHy division.
• Drives efficiency improvement and scrap reduction efforts through the application of best practices in Controls and all other engineering disciplines.
• Recruits, trains, administers, and directs all Controls Engineering and Maintenance and personnel as needed. Continually assesses personnel to ensure proper skills are developed and applied to support production requirements.

Develops and applies any training programs to ensure skills are kept current.

Applies knowledge of electrical controls, machinery controls, and components to provide technical direction for Project Engineers, OEMs, and vendors to design, install, interface, and start up new controls systems and equipment.

This may include electrical component selection, electrical and software design approval, machine acceptance testing, and start up problem solving.

• Sets standards for Controls system designs and drives these across the AbHy divisions of the company.
• Tracks production performance, and conceives, develops, tests, and implements technical solutions for controls and automation problems.

Develops and administers any annual preventative maintenance and inspection programs.

• Assists and / or leads project start up for electrical and controls projects not handled by Project Engineering. Works with various departments to develop and assist in training and start up validation processes.
• Develops proposals, budgets, CERs, and ereq recommendations as needed.
• Troubleshoots production utility equipment controls systems, components, and programs.
• Assists Production, Maintenance, and Engineers to meet daily priorities, coverage, and special projects.
• Oversees Controls support during machines installations and upgrades. Also, interfaces auxiliary equipment and identifies and corrects errors in programming and wiring.
• Assists in project planning and forecasting as part of the budgeting process.
• Ability to operate as an individual contributor and leader as needed based on business dynamics and facilitation needs.
• Supports and promotes safe practices and environmental commitments in alignment with company commitments, policies, and compliance requirements.
• Facilitates and performs Controls training workshops.
• Follows necessary GMP, FDA, and ISO regulations / guidelines.
• Additional duties as required.

Qualifications / education and experience requirements :

e.g. degrees, certificates of specific trainings)

• Bachelor's degree in Electronics, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum of 10 years' experience supervising in a high volume product environment requiring continuous support.
• Minimum of 8 years' experience with industrial controls.
• Advanced knowledge of all PLC based hardware and software.
• Knowledge of product specifications, quality specifications, goals, efficiency, scrap and production.

Skills / competencies Requirements :

e.g., analytical, teamwork, problem solving, ability to use certain equipment, etc.)

• Excellent communication skills both oral and written.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Proven ability to lead and develop high performance work teams.
• Advanced human relations and interpersonal skills.
• Advanced Computer skills including specific controls programming software and word processing and spreadsheet applications.
• Advanced analytics, decision-making, and problem -solving skills.
• Ability to operate in a fast-pace environment
• Ability to work cross-functionally.

Work Environment (if applicable) :

• This role requires 35% travel to other FQ sites and suppliers.
• Work in an environment with the potential for exposure to dust during certain tasks.
• Work under pressure of deadlines and manage moderate levels of stress.
• Walk over rough, uneven terrain, mud and gravel surfaces in construction and outdoor work areas.

Physical and Other Requirements (if appliable) :

• Occasional sitting with frequent standing / walking during workday.
• Frequent bending, climbing, kneeling, and reaching overhead throughout shift.
• Occasional pushing and pulling with arms, legs, and body throughout shift.
• Frequent lifting or carrying up to 25 pounds with occasional lifting or carrying up to 50 pounds
• Occasional repetitive use of hands.
• Occasional simple / light and firm / strong grasping with the hands.
• Occasional use of hand and / or power tools to safely complete tasks.
• Physically capable of wearing all required PPE (i.e. safety footwear, safety glasses, hearing protection, etc.)
• Ability to hear alarms at 85 decibels, with or without assistive device, through background noise
• Ability to distinguish colors - yellow, red, green, orange, brown, and blue

First Quality is committed to protecting information under the care of First Quality Enterprises commensurate with leading industry standards and applicable regulations.

As such, First Quality provides at least annual training regarding data privacy and security to employees who, as a result of their role specifications, may come in to contact with sensitive data.

First Quality is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identification, or protected Veteran status.