Controls and Automation Leader
About the role
This position provides leadership and project support to the plant’s Engineering and Maintenance team. The Controls and Automation Leader is responsible for designing, programming, repairing, and maintaining programmable logic controller (PLC) systems within PepsiCo facilities. The role supports productivity and operating performance improvements in health and safety, quality, production, cost, service, employee engagement, and leadership objectives using continuous improvement methodologies. Recognized as the key resource expert in the Dallas Gatorade facility, this role also leads a team of Controls and Automation specialists.
Responsibilities
- Develop yourself and your team to solve and manage day-to-day operational issues and reach short-term and long-term performance and career goals.
- Lead, manage, coach, and train others (salaried and hourly) on automation, electric, and controls equipment.
- Diagnose equipment malfunctions on PLC and electrical systems and make complex repairs or adjustments as needed.
- Perform preventative maintenance duties per manufacturer's specifications.
- Support maintenance, repair, and improvement of thermal processing equipment, including heat exchangers, heat recovery systems, and CIP systems.
- Program, troubleshoot, and repair PLC systems, automation devices, controls components, and electrical equipment.
- Escalate resource conservation projects for the site to the L08 C&A Sr Leader.
- Consult on engineering capital projects, including electrical and controls aspects.
- Perform breakdown analysis and oversee or perform general housekeeping.
- Direct activities of outside contractors working on assigned lines.
- Enforce GMP, safety, and audit standards.
- Mentor and provide support to less experienced technicians.
- Work independently under limited supervision (self-management).
- Document work schedule and completed tasks.
This position requires continuous work near heat, noise, gas, and chemicals. It involves frequent lifting, climbing, standing, walking, crouching, squatting, bending, and kneeling. Weekend and/or holiday work may be required.
Requirements
- 18 years or older.
- Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent experience required; preferably in engineering, business, operations management, or a similar technical field.
- 2+ years of manufacturing experience in a consumer products manufacturing operation preferred.
- 2+ years of experience with Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and Electrical Infrastructure (e.g., starters, fuses, contacts, relays, installation, frequency drives, troubleshooting, level probes, flow meters, drives/VFDs).
- Experience with product manuals (e.g., reading and applying knowledge to make repairs).
- Experience with schematics (e.g., electrical blueprints with switches, starters, maps, relays).
- Experience with troubleshooting (e.g., diagnostics, problem-solving).
Helpful Experience
- Programmable Logic Controller (PLC)
- Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)
- Instrumentation
- Servomechanism Control Systems Design
- Microsoft Office
- People Leadership
- Troubleshooting / Debugging
Pay
The expected compensation range for this position is between $66,900 and $111,950. Location, job-related skills, experience, and education will be considered in setting the actual starting salary. A performance-based bonus with an 8% annual salary target payout is also available.
Benefits
- Paid time off, including paid parental leave, vacation, sick, and bereavement (subject to eligibility).
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
- Disability, health, and dependent care reimbursement accounts.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
- Insurance (accident, group legal, life).
- Defined contribution retirement plan.