Automation Engineer in England

At Sonoco Chesterfield, we manufacture composite cans used as packaging mainly for food and powdered beverages. We aim to be one of the first fully paperboard cylindrical packing suppliers, where our packaging is durable and 100% recyclable.

Purpose of Job: Within the operations department and reporting directly to the Engineering Manager, your role is to improve the efficiency and reliability of our plant manufacturing processes.

Day to Day Responsibilities:

• Support the production and engineering team through line breakdowns, supporting fault finding of the root cause and designing the issue out in the shortest period possible.
• Be involved in projects and day-to-day activities in our sister plants.
• Provide support for 5S, SMED, Centre lining, Process Control Automation, product defect identification systems, component lifespan installation & qualifications on site.
• Assist with new product introduction: trials of new materials and new products launch support at manufacturing level.

Role within the Company and Stakeholder Interactions:

• Report to the site Engineering Manager.
• Interact with multiple stakeholders on a day-to-day basis: Manufacturing, Engineering, Warehouse, Supply Chain, sister plants (based in Europe), Suppliers.
• Be a subject matter expert and guide/mentor engineers within the business.

Key Activities:

• Provide technical support across electrical, mechanical and automation disciplines.
• Configuration and programming of controllers and visualisation systems using Siemens (Simatic Manager and TIA Portal and WinCC flexible software).
• Project planning and programming of drive technology and servo drives.
• Development, conception, design and creation of hardware/circuit diagrams.
• Automation troubleshooting following a recognisable troubleshooting process.
• Experience with bus systems and bus technology such as Profinet and Profibus.
• Project Management and Project Coordination of site automation projects.
• Utilise AutoCad/CAD systems to maintain documentation updates.
• Provide onsite services to assist in start-up or troubleshooting.
• Develop HMIs for operator use.
• Write programs for new designed automatic and semi-automatic machines and conveyor systems.
• Conduct comprehensive machine and system testing.
• Ensure the department operates with due regard to current legislation, company and statutory requirements.
• Installation of production and plant equipment, commissioning, breakdown analysis and repair.
• Identify areas for engineering improvements to increase safety, quality, efficiency, or reduce waste.
• Assist with the training of company apprentices and shift Engineers.
• Assist in risk assessment of newly designed machines with emphasis on machine safety.
• Help refine and develop programming standards and methods.
• Maintain and enhance the software and robotics solutions for the two sites.
• Specify instrumentation and control hardware for equipment upgrades and future equipment lines.
• Run testing and diagnostics on IT systems to identify potential problems.
• Liaise with outside suppliers or developers to source effective hardware or software.
• Create schematics plans of the system.
• Build robust backups that can be accessed in the event of system failure.
• Train shift Engineers and Process Improvement Engineers.
• Lead improvement activities/projects across site.

Key Measurables:

• % Unplanned Downtime on focus machinery
• % Implementation of project work
• % People trained to correct operating level on focus machinery
• $ saved by continuous improvement projects implemented

Candidate’s Experience:

• Required: HNC/Degree qualified Electrical Engineering, proven knowledge and experience in Siemens S5, S7, Allen Bradley, proven capability in Problem Solving, experience in a FMCG environment.
• Desirable: Graduate Masters/Bachelor in a Technical/Manufacturing/Sciences subject, 2 years or more of experience in a process control/engineering role, electrically biased multiskilled engineering background, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt qualified or equivalent.

Skills and Knowledge:

• Ability to analyse complex sets of data quickly.
• Prioritise activities based on daily workload and medium projects.
• Ability to train and coach people.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Excellent computer skills: mainly Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and email.

Personal Attributes:

• Must be curious and willing to learn.
• Bias for action and enthusiasm for continuous improvement.
• Must be an excellent team player with good interpersonal skills.
• Logical with a keen eye for details.
• Excellent customer focus required.
• Must be willing to travel, both UK and Europe.

Working Environment: The position is based in Chesterfield plant but may require visits to our manufacturing plants in the UK & Europe as well as visits to our Suppliers or Customers in the UK.