Automation Engineer at The Heineken Company

Key responsibilities:

First Line Maintenance:

• Provide first line corrective action and troubleshooting for production automations system failures, to minimise downtime and losses.    
• Takes a lead role in programming, fault finding and maintenance of PLC hardware and software and in the development of SCADA systems.
• To independently intervene to adjust the software for an automation system, observing the quality standards and always informing the supplier responsible for executing the maintenance contract of the relevant system.
• To advise and support shift technicians in corrective action for production automation system failures.
• To provide management information on breakdowns and work order progress via monthly reporting of breakdowns and stoppages.
• Fully assist maintenance technicians on breakdowns, after a pre-determined escalation period has expired.
• Manage service delivery and support to the brewery by effective leadership and team performance management

Preventative Maintenance:

• Ensure implementation of an effective preventative maintenance programme for all Brewery automation systems.
• Actively uses and assists with the development of the Computerised Maintenance Management System to effectively maintain and manage assets.
• Manage the specification, installation, maintenance and development of the sites automation network, hardware architecture and automation software library.
• Specifies the maintenance standards for instrumentation and control systems and monitor compliance.
• Control and maintain automation systems up-time by continuously assessing and mitigating risks, resolving breakdowns and instituting sustainable prevention measures

Compliance:

• Ensure automation systems operate safely and meet all legislative, and Heineken standards. 
• Ensure all Sedibeng Brewery automation systems comply with legal regulations, and Heineken rules, guidelines, standards, procedures and instructions.
• Maintain automation systems in a safe operational condition.
• Maintain knowledge of latest legislative regulations and Heineken standards, and ensure application at Sedibeng Brewery.
• Define and implement standards for field based control and instrumentation equipment to support the sites automation strategy.
• Develop the current control/software hierarchy across brewing and packaging to lever productivity and cost benefits.
• Work in conjunction with the Maintenance Engineer to optimise the value from all compliance/technical support and maintenance contracts within own field.
• Manage cyber security through vulnerability risk assessments, patching and management of obsolescence

Process Improvement:

• Co-ordinate improvement actions for process deviations, resulting from in process automation or computerisation.
• Participate in TPM improvement teams - TPM Involvement, Directly as a team member and indirectly providing assistance to crafts who have been allocated with automation related tasks.
• Act as project sponsor/owners representative on all automation capital investment
• Enable process optimisation by modifying software and functional descriptions of process automation where required. 
• Set priorities for modification activities, in consultation with Departmental Managers and external executing parties.
• Perform risk analysis on obsolete and out-of-support equipment and develop a mitigation or upgrade plan.

Calibration:

• Ensure accuracy of on-line process measurement systems by maintaining effective calibration programmes.
• Ensure effective calibration programmes are in place for all on-line instrumentation.
• Actively participate in calibration of on line instrumentation.
• Maintain instrument control and calibration documentation to the standards required by the quality system.
• Ensure that all live modifications are carried out with the utmost accuracy to ensure personnel and plant safety, environmental discharge and product quality is not compromised in any way.
• Minor Modification process, Involved in the assessment of automation related modifications and carrying out modifications usually with the involvement of technicians as part of the up-skilling process.

Plant Modification:

• Ensure quality of automation modifications and automation of new construction projects
• Evaluate modification proposals to ensure compliance with legislative and Heineken standards.
• Evaluate designs for new installations to ensure compliance with legislative and Heineken standards.
• Conduct acceptance testing and evaluation of automation systems after delivery of modifications or installation of new plant.
• Assisting site based project engineers to ensure that any new projects/additions conform to the site standards and are fully integrated into existing mature control systems.
• Develop all control room/equipment SCADA and HMI’s in line with Heineken standards.

Staff Development:

• Assist Development of Sedibeng Brewery Staff in respect of automation systems;
• Conduct training, performance management and skill development of technicians and artisans
• Co-ordinate training programmes for new plant and installations in coordination with automation contract partners and external suppliers.
• Ensure work instructions and documentation for automated systems are maintained and updated.
• In conjunction with the Training and development manager, mentor and coach the engineering technicians to increase their competency in automation and control systems on site.
• Promote staff awareness and compliance with relevant legislation.

Safety, Health and Environment:

• Ensure the department operates within company SHE standards and OHS Act, through continued education and training and obtaining the co-operation and commitment of all staff to observe all safety rules, procedures and processes in order to drive zero accident mentality.

Continuous Improvement:

• Drive improvement processes and set priorities in order to develop, implement and maintain best in class standards and basic conditions.
• Collaborating with stakeholders internal & external to identify opportunities to solve problems through technological advancements and digitalisation
• Developing innovative solutions geared towards improving processes and key KPI’s
• Identifies, prioritizes and eliminates process losses

Budget responsibilities;

• Ensure all Capital & Maintenance related projects are conducted and completely within budget requirements for Packaging/Brewing/Utilities

People Management role;

• Leads a team of highly motivated, well-trained and competent staff by agreeing departmental performance standards, providing regular feedback and developing staff training programs.

Qualifications and experience;

• ND in Electrical/Process Control/Instrumentation/Automation
• Bachelor’s Degree in Enegineering
• 5 years’ experience gained in a production or technical environment.