Manager, Controls Engineering

The J.M. Smucker Co.•McCalla, AL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Your Opportunity as the Controls Engineering Manager This role offers a rare opportunity to shape and lead the controls engineering strategy at a brand‑new, greenfield manufacturing facility, directly influencing safety, reliability, and long‑term operational success. As the technical authority for plant power and automation systems, the Manager, Controls Engineering will build scalable systems, develop talent, and set standards that impact every aspect of plant performance. What makes this role especially exciting is the combination of hands‑on technical leadership, people development, and ownership of critical startup initiatives—with the ability to leave a lasting footprint as the site grows and new products are introduced. Location: McCalla, AL Work Arrangements: 100% onsite, Monday–Friday with flexibility to support operations during occasional evenings, nights, or weekends, based on operational and business needs.

Requirements

A Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering is required
At least 7 years of relevant controls experience is required
Strong knowledge of Rockwell Automation process control hardware, instrumentation and software including PLC platforms
Experience in a manufacturing environment is strongly preferred
Mechanical and electrical experience in a GMP environment is a plus.

Nice To Haves

Experience with CMMS and BAS systems (Proficy, Project Maximo, eAM)
Strong troubleshooting skills
Working knowledge of NFPA guidelines
Understands technical systems and terminology
Excellent inter-personal skills
Experience learning and integrating new technologies
Experience leading the installation of equipment in food manufacturing environment
Strong organizational, critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Effective presentation, verbal, and written communication skills
Ability to organize and prioritize actions to help meet plant objectives and long-term vision
Self-motivated and can work independently with minimal direct supervision
Proven project management skills
Experience leading, teaching and managing others effectively
Able to perform moderate activity including but not limited to, significant time spent on manufacturing floor and some physical work on equipment

Responsibilities

Builds and maintains a sustainable system for plant Controls Engineer skill development
Owns the plant power outage recovery plan
Works closely with Engineering and Operations leaders on selection and installation/start-up of new equipment; becomes the technical expert on new equipment and insures the training of others regarding control systems
Serves as primary administrator and troubleshooter for plant control systems; is a key member of the plant technical leadership team
Works with Plant Engineering, E&I coordinators and technicians to Identify losses, and develop plans and strategies to eliminate them, in the areas of safety, quality, reliability and cost
Builds and maintains sustainable process control systems, onboarding system for plant Process Engineers, Controls Engineers, Interns and Area Leaders, as well as ongoing coaching and development of Process Engineers, Controls Engineers and Interns
Own plant Health Safety and Environmental (HSE) Key Element 3.10 Electrical Power & Safety AND 29 CFR 1910.269 compliance for the plant
Provides support throughout other parts of the plant as needed daily
Primary plant resource on corporate power and controls standards and owns technical documentation for these systems
Provides expertise in the design and implementation of process automation applications
Maintains, tests, monitors and improves electrical distribution system
Works with Engineering IS team to maintain and update plant Historical database standards and accuracy (Oracle Proficy Historian)
Serves as Project Manager for Initiatives ranging from E&I focus to complete capital projects
Achieve and improve scorecard results for plant
Role model, both technically and from a leadership perspective
Meet or exceed process reliability targets
Successfully identifies losses and leads effort to eliminate