Senior Automation & Controls Engineering (Bilingual - Mandarin) Manager

Smithfield Foods • Smithfield, VA

2d

About The Position

As part of our Continuous Improvement team, you would analyze data, draft implementation plans for production process optimization, and execute process and performance management systems & controls across a fleet of 35+ plants. Seeking out ways to maximize efficiencies by eliminating the waste of valuable resources that directly impact our overall operating costs. You are instrumental to the manufacturing of Smithfield, Eckrich, Nathan’s Famous, and our other product brands, to meet the needs of our customers and consumers. The Senior Automation and Controls Engineering Manager will be responsible for helping define and update the long-term technology roadmap of the company and leading a talented group of continuous improvement, engineer, maintenance, and operations professionals across hardware and software disciplines to develop and design automation solutions. The Senior Automation and Controls Engineering Manager will combine fundamental controls and process engineering knowledge with recent advances in automation, delivering creative solutions that solve real-world manufacturing problems.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Engineering or related field and 8+ years of relevant experience in manufacturing industries with a strong focus on automation and controls design; or equivalent combination of education and experience, required.
• Candidates with a Master's degree in Engineering, Business, or related field from an accredited four-year college or university and 6+ years of relevant experience will be considered qualified.
• 2+ years of demonstrated experience in team management/development or project leadership is required.
• Skilled at PLC/HMI programming, equipment connectivity, and SCADA system development for production floor management.
• Expert knowledge in the development within Ignition software is required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, organizational planning, teamwork, analytical reasoning and adaptability.
• Must be able to travel up to 50% of the time.
• Ability to work well with others in fast paced, dynamic environment.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual proficiency in English and Mandarin, preferred.
• Experience in development of distributed, networked control systems, especially Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) solutions
• Lean or six sigma experience (green or black belt certified preferred)
• Knowledge of engineering principles and techniques related to food processing and the meat industry, preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements the manufacturing vision, strategy/technology roadmap that supports the convergence of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)
• Collaborates across functional groups to ensure strategy and technology roadmap meets the needs of the organization and support delivering results
• Drives the right technology choices for automation and presents the technology roadmap for both immediate and long-term growth.
• Combines deep process engineering understanding and machine learning capability to create scalable controls and manufacturing solutions.
• Takes the business problems and derives to a technology solution that may encompass one or more products and services, ensuring it aligns with business objectives and fits into the technology roadmap of the organization.
• Monitors and evaluates external technology trends that could impact the company.
• Conducts research and case studies on leading edge automation technologies and makes determinations on the probability of implementation.
• Responsible for the development of the standard software and hardware architecture(s) for all automation projects and will work with multiple teams for coordinated implementation.
• Interface with IT to ensure continuity of IT/OT across the company
• Partner externally with food processing equipment vendors, universities, technical consulting individuals/companies to create and prove new systems and technologies and to leverage external resources as required.
• Provides leadership, guidance and training to Engineering professionals
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.
• Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and assisting in providing appropriate resolutions.

Benefits

• Smithfield is proud to offer robust, flexible and affordable benefit plans and programs to support our team members and their loved ones, and with out-of-pocket costs, on average, 20 percent less than plans offered by other employers.
• Beyond our medical plans, our Be Well programs offer tools and resources to enhance your quality of life, at no additional cost.
• These programs are uniquely tailored to our Smithfield team and provide support for elective surgeries, weight loss, mental health, cancer, kidney disease, diabetes, smoking cessation, asthma, maternity management and more.
• We offer comprehensive training and professional development programs designed to help you reach your full potential.
• Our partnership with GUILD supports your continuing education with tuition assistance covering English language learning and various certificate programs, while our leadership development initiatives nurture high-potential talent.
• For those looking to build specialized skills, we offer apprenticeship programs that combine hands-on experience with focused learning.
• We also offer unique benefits like our Smithfield Scholarship Program for employees’ children.
• Smithfield’s Education Reimbursement Program provides financial reimbursement to team members who want to further their formal education by obtaining a GED/High School Equivalency (HSE) Diploma or by pursuing an academic degree at an accredited college or university that is not a Guild learning partner.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level