PLC Controls Technician - Manufacturing

Looking for a job that can grow into a lifelong career?
At Lactalis USA, we believe in promoting from within and giving our employees meaningful opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. Whether you're just starting out or bringing years of experience, we'll provide the tools and support you need to succeed.

Lactalis is the world leader in dairy-a family-owned company with over 85,000 pragmatic and ambitious professionals across the globe. Every day, we're proud to produce award-winning dairy products that bring people together every day.

In the US, we offer an unrivaled house of beloved brands, including Galbani Italian cheeses and ricotta, President specialty cheeses and butters, Kraft natural and grated cheeses, Breakstone's cottage cheese, Cracker Barrel, Black Diamond cheddar, and Parmalat milk. Our yogurt portfolio includes siggi's, Stonyfield Organic, Brown Cow, Oui, Yoplait, Go-Gurt, :ratio, Green Mountain Creamery, and Mountain High, along with sour cream and a growing family of ethnic favorites like Karoun, Gopi, and Arz.

At Lactalis, we live by our core values-Ambition, Engagement, and Simplicity. We're building a workplace where innovation thrives, diverse perspectives are celebrated, and everyone's unique background and ideas are valued.

Even if you don't meet every qualification, we encourage you to apply. We want to hear about your PASSION, your STORY, and how your EXPERTISE can help us make an impact.

From your PASSION to ours

Lactalis US Yogurt, part of the Lactalis family of companies, is currently hiring a PLC Controls Technician based in Casa Grande, Arizona.

The PLC Controls Technician is responsible for installing, troubleshooting, and repairing manufacturing in processing, packaging, and distribution systems through a broad knowledge base of manufacturing skills in electrical, controls, PLC, and mechanical disciplines involving work of a varied nature with minimum supervision, resulting in efficient and reliable operation of plant facilities. This is an entry level position with an hourly rate starting at $36.50 plus shift differentials.

• 401K match up to 7% annually.
• Referral bonus programs ($750-1500)
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision
• FSA & HSA programs
• Education Assistance Program
• Paid time off includes 7 core holidays, 2 floating holidays, 2 volunteer days, and prorated vacation time up to 15 days
• Premium pay (overtime) when working on Sundays and core holidays
• And much more

From your EXPERTISE to ours

Key responsibilities for this position include:

• Responsible for all aspects of food safety and quality as defined in plant and department procedures.
• Responsible for their own safety and the safety of others around them.
• Troubleshoot control system circuitry and hardware including PLCs, IO modules and Variable Frequency Drives to return to as-built state.
• Troubleshoot, diagnose, and resolve communications issues on various control system IO networks including DeviceNet, ControlNet, Ethernet /IP and AS-i systems.
• Basic HMI modifications.
• Identify root cause & resolution to basic program logic sequencing issues.
• Identify missing permissive conditions and alarms within logic programming and provide meaningful information towards resolution.
• Demonstrated ability to work with high voltage equipment. This will include troubleshooting and understanding electrical prints.
• Complete routine paperwork such as filling out PM work orders, recording inspection results, logging emergency work orders, recording parts used from inventory and recording necessary readings on log sheets in an accurate and timely manner.
• Demonstrate a professional proactive approach to work by identifying areas for improvement and initiating actions to strengthen efficiencies and overall production operations.
• Regular attendance of in-house and external training to keep skills and knowledge up-to-date.
• Work in a safe and professional manner demonstrating positive attitude and professional demeanor in the performance of daily work.
• Demonstrate a professional proactive approach to work by identifying areas for improvement and initiating actions to strengthen efficiency and overall production operations.
• Flexibility in an ever-changing environment.
• Daily troubleshooting of automation, electrical, and mechanical calls on the production floor while juggling daily scheduled workload.
• Perform routine inspections of operating equipment and initiate preventative maintenance programs to ensure the reliable and safe operation of equipment is sustained.
• Daily recording operating parameters, monitoring equipment, logging findings, creating work orders as necessary, monitoring daily, weekly, and monthly operating trends.
• Routinely dismantle, repair, and reassemble complex equipment as needed to maintain optimum run efficiency.

From your STORY to ours

Qualified applicants will contribute the following:

• Associate degree in an instrumentation related field or equivalent demonstrated field experience is required.
• Minimum 1 - 3 years' experience working in an industrial, manufacturing environment.
• Working knowledge of Allen Bradley components (VFD, PLC.)
• Familiarity with electrical troubleshoot through schematics, use of a multi-meter, safety systems, I/O debugging, AS-I devices, VFDs, Servo Motors & Devices, and various analog devices including flow meters, temperature / conductivity transmitters, optical and proximity sensors, Ethernet communication.
• Knowledge of troubleshooting and working with 24 DC, 110, 230, 460 and 600 VAC systems.
• Familiarity with function block and ladder logic PLC programming and systems integration.
• General knowledge of SAP, PowerFlex 4/40/525/70, Kinetx 5700, 600, 6500, PanelView Plus, CompactLogix, Endress+Hauser instrumentation, Stratix switches, Motor starter, fuse, and circuit breakers.
• Strong computer skills (MS-Excel, Word, Share Drives, OneDrive, etc.) required.
• Detailed oriented individual, able to manage multiple tasks with input from various individuals in the operations, maintenance, and engineering departments.
• Knowledge of software design principles.
• Detailed knowledge of PLC automation software and coding languages.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Scheduled workdays and hours may be altered depending on job demands.

Physical Demands

• Requires the ability to stand consistently.
• Requires the ability to walk consistently.
• Requires the use of hands/fingers to handle or feel is consistent.
• The ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl is consistent.
• Requires repetitive motion through computer use.
• Requires the ability to lift and/or carry weight up to _60_ pounds.
• The ability to push/pull weight up to _60_ pounds.
• The ability to work in varying temperature environments both hot and cold, inside and out.

At Lactalis, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Program with a variety of affordable benefits and coverage options. We support insurance costs significantly, contribute generously to retirement plans, and offer Paid Time Off from day one. We are committed to your professional growth, providing training and development opportunities, including Education Reimbursement. Join us and grow your career.

Lactalis is an equal employment opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against applicants with regard to any legally-recognized basis including, but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities.