Controls and Automation Lead

With 3.4 billion people in over 190 countries using our products every day, Unilever is a business that makes a real impact on the world. Work on brands that are loved and improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We are driven by our purpose: to make sustainable living commonplace, and it is our belief that doing business the right way drives superior performance. At the heart of what we do is our people – we believe that when our people work with purpose, we will create a better business and a better world. 

At Unilever, your career will be a unique journey, grounded in our, collaborative, and flexible working environment. Our organizational ambition centres around creating workplaces that foster equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging across all aspects of our business. We don’t believe in the ‘one size fits all’ approach and instead we will equip you with the tools you need to shape your own future.

Reporting to the Maintenance Manager, the Controls and Automation Lead will lead and develop a team of instrumentation technicians across five operation shifts. You will be responsible for several key business metrics of the department (such as breakdowns, emergency work orders (EWO), root cause analysis, repairs and maintenance conformance to schedule) and managing your team to ensure compliance with Safety, Health, Environment, and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) requirements. Directly responsible for six instrumentation technicians as well as onsite technical contractors.

JOB PURPOSE

Unilever is the place where you can bring your purpose to life with the work that you do – creating a better business and a better world.  If you are an expert in PLC troubleshooting, programming, and diagnostics  then this role is just for you!

WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE

The Controls and Automation Lead will be responsible for ensuring the smooth operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of automation systems, including Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), motor controllers, vision inspection systems, and related instrumentation.

The Controls and Automation Lead is a critical role for the department and must be prepared to lead members of the site technical community to success. You will drive performance through leadership, people and technical skills to develop and engagement your team within a changing environment.
Key activities include but are not limited the following:
• Meeting legislative requirements, providing instruction regarding safety procedures, and supporting plant SHE and Q initiatives as required (GMP, Hygiene, 5S, etc.).
• Leading by example in all areas including safety, efficiency, loss management, quality, and continuous improvement (UMS). 
• Accountable for the productivity of the site during off-shifts. This requires contacting appropriate resources for issue resolution, providing alternative duties in the event of breakdown or material shortage.
• Driving breakdown reduction using a robust root cause analysis process utilizing the UMS methodology.
• Monitoring general performance and behaviour of maintenance employees and adjusting crewing or calling in replacements, as necessary.
• Promoting preventive maintenance activities and implementing new technologies to increase asset’s reliability.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO SUCCEED

Experiences & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and proven experience in reading and interpreting electrical schematics and P&IDs.
• Expertise in PLC troubleshooting, programming, and diagnostics (Allen Bradley, Siemens or similar systems).
• Proficient in Ladder Logic, Function Block, Structured Text, and Function Chart programming.
• Strong understanding of Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) and motor controllers, including the ability to troubleshoot and address firmware issues.
• Experience in maintaining and troubleshooting communication issues between PLCs, drives, and other I/O systems.
• Ability to troubleshoot and correct basic programming issues, machine sequencing errors, and root cause analysis.
• Make modifications to HMIs for improved functionality and usability. • Hands-on experience with electrical panel maintenance, including redlining and cleaning up wiring.
• Strong knowledge of valve limits, analog instrumentation calibration, and high/low voltage systems.

Preferred Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Automation, or a related field.
• Certifications in PLC programming or electrical systems.
• 3+ years of experience in an automation and control’s role, with at least 1 years in a leadership position.

Skills

• • Excellent leadership skills with the ability to manage a team across multiple shifts and communicate effectively.
  • Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, with a focus on continuous improvement

Leadership

• You are energized by delivering fantastic results. You are an example to others – both your results and your resilience. You are constantly on the lookout for better ways to do things, engaging and collaborating with others along the way.
• As an individual you are the one responsible for your own wellbeing and delivering high standards of work. You must also focus on the Consumer and what they need. You are humble and have your head up, looking around to interpret evidence and data smartly, spot issues and opportunities to make things better.

• Critical SOL (Standards of Leadership) Behaviors
  • PASSION FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE: Takes personal responsibility and accountability for execution and results. Has an owner’s mindset, using data and insight to make decisions.
  • PERSONAL MASTERY: Sets high standards for themselves. Actively builds own wellbeing and resilience.
  • CONSUMER LOVE: Whatever their role, always looks for better ways to serve consumers. Invests time inside and outside to understand the needs of consumers.
  • PURPOSE & SERVICE: Has humility, understanding that leadership is service to others, inside and outside Unilever.
  • AGILITY: Explores the world around them, continually learning and developing their skills.

What We Can Offer You

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Pay: The pay range for this position is $84,400 to $126,600. Unilever takes into consideration a wide range of factors that are utilized in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, qualifications and education, and other business and organizational needs.

Bonus: This position is bonus eligible.
Long-Term Incentive (LTI): This position is LTI eligible.

Benefits: Unilever employees are eligible to participate in our benefits plan. Should the employee choose to participate, they can choose from a range of benefits to include, but is not limited to, health insurance (including prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage), retirement savings benefits, life insurance and disability benefits, parental leave, sick leave, paid vacation and holidays, as well as access to numerous voluntary benefits. Any coverages for health insurance and retirement benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.

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Unilever is an organization committed to diversity and inclusion to drive our business results and create a better future every day for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal law and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. 

For more information about your Federal rights, please see Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination isopens in a new windowIllegalopens in a new window and Pay Transparency Non discrimination Provisionopens in a new window.

Employment is subject to verification of pre-screening tests, which may include drug screening, background check, credit check and DMV check.

If you are an individual with a disability in need of assistance at any time during our recruitment process, please contact us at NA.Accommodations@unilever.comopens in a new window. Please note: This email is reserved for individuals with disabilities in need of assistance and is not a means of inquiry about positions or application statuses. The Protected Veterans or Individuals with Disabilities AAP narratives are available for inspection by any employee or applicant for employment Monday through Friday during normal business hours at establishment.