Automation Engineer - Greer, SC

Alltrista Plastics LLC, is a subsidiary of Jadex Inc., and is a leading manufacturer in high-volume, precision injection molded parts. The company designs and manufactures with proprietary engineering processes and extensive manufacturing capabilities, from five (5) locations worldwide. From the first spark of an idea, through the design of the mold to the actual manufactured product, Alltrista Plastics focuses all efforts on delivering innovative plastic solutions. The company’s core markets include Consumer Products, Medical/Healthcare, Personal Care, Health & Beauty, Caps & Closures, and Packaging.

Automation Engineer - Greer, SC

Position Summary

Reports to the Plant Manager. Accountable for Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) of all automation cells, including tipping, lining, assembly, and press side automation equipment. Leads manufacturing project improvements and continuous improvement initiatives including support of new and modified manufacturing processes and automation equipment and all product material handling and secondary operations. Lead MATTEC data analysis and OEE improvement initiatives. Lead and coach the Automation Technical staff.

Primary Functions

• Accountable for the Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) of all automation equipment to include minimizing down time, ensuring quality and reducing scrap rates, maintaining equipment performance to standard, and communicating with team members daily.
• Support the maintenance & automation team members on all manufacturing and facility equipment (I.e. assembly cells) up to and including preventative maintenance and major refurbishments.
• Troubleshoots automation issues and works through the Plant Staff and support from suppliers to get equipment back on line in a timely and cost efficient manner.
• Works with the Maintenance team to address other machine related issues assisting in hydraulic and electrical repairs on non-automation equipment as directed.
• Troubleshoots and repairs mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and PLC problems on equipment and provides timely short-term and long-term solutions.
• Coordinates the purchase of the parts, equipment, and/or components, and other items of necessity as it associates with manufacturing production.
• Works with Plant Staff to determine automation needs of the facility and provide alternatives for continuous improvement in the plant operations.
• Understands and follows plant safety rules and 5S initiatives. Helps to identify and eliminate any safety hazard or concern. Assists in monitoring of quality of work output.
• Maintains compliance with company policy and procedures.
• Acquires cost and lead times for parts, custom equipment from JPS approved vendors to ensure continuity of production for 24/7 Manufacturing Operation.
• Assist, as requested by the plant manager, with technical matters related to machine maintenance and performance of automation equipment.
• Assists and coordinates with Maintenance Manager on all ongoing maintenance efforts, as it relates to retroactive and preventative Maintenance, while utilizing the Company IQS database and establish machine records for each event.
• Assures validation of secondary operations equipment.
• Assures implementation of equipment and programs for quality/productivity improvements.

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science Degree or equivalent experience of 5 years in plastics injection molding engineering experience of Associates of Science degree.

• 2-4 years of combined experience in hands-on assembly automation, injection molding engineering and secondary Automation.
• Detailed knowledge in PLC programming and electrical controls.
• Working knowledge in the mechanical and design areas of automation with general machining capabilities.
• Self-motivated to learn and perform job tasks to meet or exceed customer and company expectations.

• Demonstrates the capacity to work at an efficient rate to meet production goals and standards.
• Effectively communicates with others both verbally and in writing.
• Must be detail oriented, able to meet deadlines and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.

• Experience with installation and operation validations.

Physical Requirements

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. Please refer to the Physical Job Description, which is contained as a separate document, for more detail.

Environment: Normal manufacturing environments; work with machinery and media in or around confined spaces; exposure to chemicals, grease and oils.

Physical: Sufficient physical ability to perform heavy lifting and carrying; reaching, kneeling, crawling, climbing; standing for moderate periods of time.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

Other: Ability to work overtime or occasionally on weekends with short notice.

Specifics:

• Competitive salary
• Full benefits package
• 401K with match
• Strong vacation and corporate holiday policy