Automation Engineering Supervisor

YOUR OPPORTUNITY

We have an exciting Automation Engineering Supervisor opportunity in our Guymon processing facility. In this highly impactful role, you will lead a team of automation specialists who are responsible for supporting all automation equipment installations, routine preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs in a fresh pork processing facility that processes over 22,000 animals per day. This position provides oversight and supervision to ensure activities and tasks are completed and improved and maximizes department efficiencies, workflow optimization, and staffing deployment. Ensures all maintenance and preventive maintenance activities conducted by the automation team adhere to all workplace and food safety protocols.

ABOUT US

At Seaboard Foods, we create the most sought-after pork. A top U.S. pork producer/processor and leading exporter to 30+ countries, we are committed to bringing excellence to the table, seeking a better way to produce wholesome pork, and connecting every step between our farms and family tables. More than 5,400 employees in five states work on our farms, feed mills, and processing plant to produce Prairie Fresh® pork, ensuring the well-being of our animals, the environment, our employees, and the communities we call home. Our commitment to sustainability is reflected in our renewable gas projects on our farms creating renewable energy. Owned by Seaboard Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, and nominated as one of the “Best Places to Work” by Kansas City’s Business Journal, we have a dynamic culture where our employees can contribute and understand why they matter.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supervise, lead, and develop a team of Automation Technicians responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, repairing, and supporting industrial automation, electrical control, and robotic systems throughout the facility.
• Provide technical leadership and hands-on troubleshooting support for complex equipment failures involving programmable logic controllers (PLCs), human-machine interfaces (HMIs), industrial robotics, variable-frequency drives (VFDs), servo systems, instrumentation, industrial communication networks, and associated electrical and electronic control systems.
• Direct, coordinate, and verify the completion of preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance activities on automated equipment and control systems to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient operation.
• Investigate recurring equipment failures, automation-related downtime, and process-performance issues. Lead root-cause analysis and coordinate the implementation of corrective actions to improve equipment reliability and reduce unplanned downtime.
• Provide technical oversight of PLC programming, HMI configurations, robotic systems, control-system modifications, and automation-related troubleshooting to ensure work is performed accurately, consistently, and in accordance with established engineering standards.
• Ensure Automation Technicians maintain accurate maintenance records, troubleshooting documentation, equipment configurations, program backups, and other technical documentation necessary to support reliable system operation and future maintenance activities.
• Ensure all automation maintenance, troubleshooting, and installation activities comply with applicable electrical codes, machine-safety requirements, established procedures, and company safety policies, including lockout/tagout and electrical safe-work practices.
• Maintain effective communication with plant operations, maintenance leadership, engineering personnel, and management regarding equipment conditions, maintenance priorities, operational disruptions, and corrective-action progress.
• Manage employee work schedules, staffing requirements, attendance, timekeeping, and overall work performance to ensure adequate technical coverage and effective utilization of departmental resources.
• Promote accountability, technical excellence, continuous reliability improvement, and a proactive maintenance culture within the Automation Department.

CORE COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESS IN ALL ROLES: instills trust, communicates effectively, action-oriented, ensures accountability, and drives results.

Technical Leadership

Demonstrates strong technical knowledge of electrical, automation, PLC, robotic, and industrial control systems. Provides effective technical guidance, supports complex troubleshooting activities, and develops the technical capabilities of team members to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient equipment operation.

Decision Quality & Problem Solving

Makes sound, timely decisions using technical knowledge, analytical thinking, and systematic troubleshooting methods. Evaluates complex equipment failures, identifies root causes, prioritizes corrective actions, and implements effective solutions to improve equipment reliability and minimize operational disruptions.

Develops Talent & Ensures Accountability

Leads, coaches, and develops technical personnel through clear expectations, effective work assignments, performance feedback, and ongoing training. Holds team members accountable for work quality, safety, productivity, and adherence to established procedures while promoting continuous improvement and technical excellence.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• Associate degree or two-year technical degree in Electrical Engineering Technology, Electronics Technology, Industrial Automation, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related technical field with a minimum of three (3) years of relevant industrial automation or electrical controls experience; or
• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in industrial automation, electrical controls, robotics, or industrial control systems in lieu of formal technical education.
• Strong technical knowledge of industrial electrical systems, motor controls, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), human-machine interfaces (HMIs), variable-frequency drives (VFDs), industrial instrumentation, and automated equipment.
• Demonstrated proficiency in PLC programming, troubleshooting, and diagnostics, including the ability to interpret, analyze, and modify control logic to identify equipment failures and implement corrective actions.
• Working knowledge of industrial communication networks, including Ethernet-based industrial protocols, networked control devices, and troubleshooting communication-related equipment failures.
• Working knowledge of industrial robotics, robotic controllers, safety systems, servo drives, motion control, and associated automation equipment.
• Ability to read, interpret, and troubleshoot electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, control-panel drawings, process and instrumentation diagrams, equipment manuals, and other engineering documentation.
• Strong understanding of electrical theory, control circuits, instrumentation, feedback devices, and industrial automation principles.
• Ability to use electrical and electronic diagnostic equipment, including digital multimeters, clamp meters, insulation-resistance testers, and other applicable troubleshooting and calibration tools.
• Demonstrated ability to independently diagnose complex electrical and automation system failures, apply structured troubleshooting methods, identify root causes, and develop effective corrective actions.
• Ability to establish maintenance priorities, assign technical work, evaluate work quality, and coordinate personnel and resources to support equipment reliability and production requirements.
• Ability to train, coach, and develop technical personnel, evaluate individual performance, and ensure accountability for assigned responsibilities.
• Working knowledge of industrial electrical safety practices, hazardous-energy control, machine safeguarding, and applicable electrical codes and safety standards.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in the English language, including the ability to communicate technical information effectively with technicians, engineers, maintenance personnel, operations, contractors, and management.

Preferred:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics, or a closely related technical discipline.
• Previous supervisory or leadership experience directing electrical, automation, instrumentation, or industrial maintenance personnel.
• Advanced experience programming, configuring, and troubleshooting Allen-Bradley/Rockwell Automation PLCs, HMIs, drives, and associated industrial control systems.
• Experience with industrial robotic systems, robotic programming, motion control, safety controllers, and automated manufacturing equipment.
• Experience with industrial networking technologies and protocols, including EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, PROFIBUS, Modbus TCP, and other industrial communication systems.
• Experience configuring, maintaining, and troubleshooting supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) and HMI systems, including platforms such as AVEVA/Wonderware, Ignition, and Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk View SE/ME, as well as industrial data acquisition, process monitoring, and control-system integration.
• Experience supporting equipment installations, system modifications, commissioning, control-system upgrades, and engineering improvement projects.
• Experience utilizing equipment performance data, downtime analysis, root-cause analysis, and preventive or predictive maintenance strategies to improve equipment reliability.

SCHEDULE

• As required by the business

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical and work demands listed here represent those an employee should possess to successfully perform the job's essential functions. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to move around the facility and primarily will be on the production floor.
• The employee must regularly lift and move up to 50 pounds, and occasionally lift and move up to 75 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• This position is primarily on the production floor and will have limited office time.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and is exposed to fumes or airborne particles and vibration.
• The noise level in the work environment requires you to always wear hearing protection on the production floor.
• The hours and days of work are established by departmental needs and at the discretion of management. After-hours, weekends, and overnight travel as requested.

WHY SEABOARD FOODS?

• Medical, vision & dental benefits upon hire
• 401K with company match
• Paid Time Off & Company Holidays
• Wellness Program
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee pork purchase program

For a complete list of our benefits please visit our career site:

Seaboard Foods is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, gender identity, protected veterans’ status, status as a disabled individual, or any other status protected by law.