Unilever is one of the world’s leading suppliers of Food, Home and Personal Care products with sales in over 190 countries and reaching 2 billion consumers a day. Unilever has more than 400 brands found in homes around the world, including Persil, Dove, Knorr, Domestos, Hellmann’s, Lipton, Wall’s, PG Tips, Ben & Jerry’s, Marmite, Magnum and Lynx. Faced with the challenge of climate change and the need for human development, we want to move towards a world where everyone can live well and within the natural limits of the planet. That’s why our purpose is ‘to make sustainable living commonplace’.

The role is based in Gloucester, home to the production of the country’s beloved ice-creams such as Magnum and Wall’s.

JOB PURPOSE

The Automation Technician is a Preventative Maintenance and Focussed Improvement specialist engaged to optimise the running and maintenance of the control systems within the factory.  Where breakdowns occur the automation technician will act to diagnose and troubleshoot faults and where necessary will recommend design improvements.  She/he is also intimately involved with setting an obsolescence upgrade / improvement Strategy for the department. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Instrumentation andControl Skills:
• Manage all PLC systems (Mainly Allen Bradley 500 / 5000 / Siemens S5 / S7 but also other older systems).
• Be able to independently create new programs / modify existing code / fault find / upgrade systems.
• Have the knowledge to program Allen Bradley Panelview / Exor Uniop / Beijer / Siemens HMI screens.
• Keep firmware and software up to date & backed up for Line Technician use.
• Have an electrical background with excellent fault finding & problem solving abilities of hardwired electrical systems.
• Have a good knowledge of servo drive systems (Allen Bradley - Kinetix / Bosch Rexroth - Ecodrive / Indradrive)
• Understand / fault diagnose / install / replace / upgrade Allen Bradley / Danfoss inverters (VSD’s)
• Safety - Utilise appropriate safety and environmental procedures for people, processes, materials, products and equipment to ensure a safe working environment for the whole team.
• Proactive in product and people safety of self and others
• Adherence to Site and Legislative safety standards (Codes of practice)
• Involvement in safety and risk assessments as appropriate
• Cost - Specify and order spares as appropriate adhering to local authorities and recording processes.
• Work closely with the Engineering Manager to ensure budgets and priorities remain a focus and deliver R&M target
• WCM
• Training and development of technical and engineering colleagues and manufacturing operators in engineering and improvement skills and techniques.
• Develop AM and PM schedule standards
• Lead and participate in Kaizen improvement projects (inc. Major/Advances Kaizen)
• Role out maintenance prevention techniques (CBM)
• Providing input into Early Equipment Management initiatives
• Use WCM tools and techniques to analyse and optimise equipment performance and condition
• Develop One Point Lessons, Standard Operating Procedures and Standard Maintenance Procedures to ensure best practice for machine operation and maintenance.
• Problem Solving - Has the ability to identify, prioritise and address problems using appropriate tools and techniques that eliminate recurrence.
• Project Management â€“ Achieve the desired outcomes of the project in line with agreed plans using appropriate project management tools and techniques to ensure the efficient use of technical, financial and human resources.

ALL ABOUT YOU

• Post Apprenticeship Skill level in at least 2 of the 3 relevant engineering disciplines (as graded by national standards) :
• Mechanical / Electrical / Instrumentation and Control
• Requires national School leaver qualifications in
• Reading and Comprehension / Writing / Mathematics. 
• Required to support report writing, data analysis, problem solving, mechanical calculations, leadership and coaching skills.

ESSENTIAL:

• Experience of working as part of an extended team within the manufacturing sector.
• Strong coaching and communication skills.
• Proven analytical skills.
• Demonstarted experience of Allen Bradley / Siemens programming.
• Proven proficiency in electrical fault finding

PREFERRED / DESIRABLE:

• Experience of working in a Fast Moving Consumer Goods Company and World Class Manufacturing.
• Experience as a team member within a project Management team with an awareness of project management tools and techniques.

Diversity at Unilever is about inclusion, embracing differences, creating possibilities and growing together for better business performance. We embrace diversity in our workforce. This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants and continuing development of all employees regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity.