Controls Specialist at Little Leaf Farms in Manchester, TN

Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Controls Specialist is responsible for the performance, reliability, and continuous improvement of all automation and control systems at the site. This role supports both greenhouse and packhouse operations by maintaining, troubleshooting, and optimizing PLC, HMI, and related systems to minimize downtime and improve operational efficiency. The Controls Specialist partners with Maintenance, Facilities, and Operations to ensure systems are properly designed, documented, and sustained, while also supporting capital projects and system upgrades.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Install, maintain, and troubleshoot industrial control systems, including PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, Fanuc robots, sensors, and instrumentation.
• Diagnose electrical and automation issues using schematics, wiring diagrams, ladder logic, and other diagnostic tools.
• Program and modify PLC logic (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, etc).
• Program and teach Fanuc robots
• Own all PLC/HMI/SCADA programs and backups.
• Drive reduction in automation-related downtime.
• Perform root cause analysis on recurring failures.
• Create troubleshooting guides for technicians.
• Train maintenance technicians on basic controls troubleshooting.
• Train maintenance technicians on Fanuc robot programming and fault recovery.
• Follow and enforce change management practices for all control system modifications.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation of control systems, including program backups, revisions, and electrical drawings.
• Monitor system performance and recommend improvements to increase reliability and efficiency.
• Collaborate with maintenance and operations teams to support equipment upgrades and new installations.
• Perform system testing and calibration on sensors, instrumentation, and automated equipment.
• Respond to equipment failures and provide technical support to minimize downtime.
• Participate in on-call rotation and respond to off-hours equipment failures as needed to support operations.
• Expected to adhere to safe work practices, follow GMP and HACCP guidelines, maintain sanitary conditions and ensure that product quality is maintained. Report to management any conditions or practices that may adversely affect food safety, food quality or personnel safety.
• Maintain a positive work atmosphere by acting and communicating in a manner so that you get along with customers, clients, co-workers, and management.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.

Requirements

REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS:

• Associate’s degree or technical certification in Electrical Engineering Technology, Automation, Mechatronics, or a related field
• 3–5+ years of experience supporting industrial automation or controls systems in a manufacturing, food processing, or similar environment
• Hands-on experience troubleshooting PLC-based systems (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or similar)
• Strong Understanding of industrial electrical systems (480V 3 phase, control circuits)
• Experience with PLC programming and troubleshooting (Allen Bradley, Siemens, RSLogix/Studio 5000)
• Familiarity with VFDs, servo systems, and industrial networking (EtherNet/IP, Profibus, Modbus)
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and technical documentation.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation, or related field or significant hands-on experience in industrial automation and controls; practical troubleshooting experience is strongly valued over formal education
• Proven ability to troubleshoot, diagnose, and resolve complex control system issues beyond basic fault recovery.
• Experience integrating new equipment or systems into existing automation environments.
• Ability to distinguish between symptoms and root causes in complex automated systems.