Controls Supervisor

The Controls Supervisor is responsible for leading and supporting a team of Controls Technicians to ensure optimal performance, uptime, and reliability of all automation and control systems in a food manufacturing environment. This hands-on leadership role combines technical expertise with team management, ensuring execution of daily controls work, preventive maintenance, and support for automation-related projects.

Working closely with Maintenance, Production, Engineering, and Quality, the Controls Supervisor ensures automation systems are operating safely, efficiently, and in compliance with regulatory and operational standards.

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership

• Supervise, train, and develop a team of Controls Technicians, including performance management, scheduling, and skills development.

• Assign and prioritize daily work orders, PMs, and support tasks for controls systems and instrumentation.

• Provide coaching and technical guidance to technicians during troubleshooting and repair activities.

Operational Support

• Ensure timely and effective resolution of control system issues to minimize production downtime.

• Collaborate with production and maintenance teams to identify and correct recurring automation issues.

• Escalate complex technical challenges to the Senior Controls Engineer or Engineering Manager when needed.

Preventive & Corrective Maintenance

• Oversee preventive maintenance activities for PLCs, HMIs, instrumentation, and related systems.

• Ensure all controls-related equipment is calibrated, tested, and maintained according to standards and schedules.

• Track and report system reliability metrics and identify improvement opportunities.

Project Execution

• Support implementation of capital or improvement projects by coordinating technician tasks, ensuring system readiness, and participating in start-ups.

• Ensure adherence to project timelines and assist with commissioning activities under the direction of the Senior Controls Engineer.

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain and enforce proper documentation of changes to PLC programs, electrical schematics, and instrumentation settings.

• Ensure compliance with safety standards, GMP, and industry regulations for all control systems and associated work.

• Support audits, inspections, and risk assessments involving control systems.

Qualifications

Required

• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation, or related field—or equivalent experience.

• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in controls/automation, including hands-on PLC/HMI troubleshooting.

• Prior experience leading a team or mentoring junior technicians in a manufacturing environment.

• Proficient with PLCs (preferably Allen-Bradley), industrial networking, and electrical troubleshooting.

• Strong understanding of instrumentation, sensors, and motor controls.

• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, control diagrams, and technical manuals.

• Excellent communication, planning, and leadership skills.

• Commitment to safety and regulatory compliance (OSHA, NEC, NFPA 70E).

Preferred

• Experience in the food or beverage manufacturing industry.

• Familiarity with SCADA systems, IO-Link devices, and Rockwell/Allen-Bradley automation platforms.

• Experience using CMMS software to track and manage maintenance tasks.

• Exposure to Lean manufacturing, root cause analysis, or continuous improvement methodologies.

**Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Meati™ we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.** 

Compensation:  

The base salary range for this role is $90,000 to $120,000 annually.  Actual compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.