Full-Time

PLC/HMI Technician/Automation Controls Technician

Posted on 9/23/2025

Shearers Foods

Shearers Foods

1-10 employees

Manufactures private-label salty snacks

Compensation Overview

$40/hr

Dayton, OH, USA

In Person

Category
Mechanical Engineering (1)
Requirements
  • Full familiarity with computer programs such as Auto-Cad, Microsoft Office, etc.
  • Strong Electrical troubleshooting and understanding
  • Full familiarity with Rockwell PLC software and can design, write and troubleshoot same.
  • Full familiarity with Rockwell hardware and can design, write and troubleshoot same.
  • Familiarity with high-speed manufacturing and packaging processes, operations and associated machinery.
  • Ability to read and interpret electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical prints.
  • ABB & Fanuc Robot programming (and others)
  • Five years of industrial experience in maintenance or related field
Responsibilities
  • Execute tasks in a safe manner. Embrace and help to develop a people safety first culture.
  • Perform advanced troubleshooting functions by using the PLC and HMI code to diagnose issues that are causing downtime.
  • Ownership of regular program backups and ensure that all program changes adhere to Shearer’s safety and quality standards.
  • Perform all assigned maintenance tasks such as preventative maintenance, corrective maintenance, and inspections.
  • Develop and train maintenance personnel on control systems and functions.
  • Provide recommendations for equipment upgrades to avoid obsolescence issues.
  • Continually improve knowledge base regarding advances in parts, equipment, and processes to keep abreast of changes and innovations in equipment selection.
  • Develop and execute PM’s on controls equipment and control cabinets.
  • Assist in the development of base line safe work performance expectations and work practices. Identify and correct any unsafe condition and identify and unsafe action observed.
  • Ability to make changes to existing PLC and HMI programs to improve the process.
  • Perform the above duties in a food safe manner adhering to all GMP’s (Good Manufacturing Practices.

Shearer's Foods makes and packages salty snacks, focusing on private-label and contract-pack production for other brands. Its core product line began as hand-cooked kettle chips, made in-house at its Ohio facilities, and the business now services retailers and food companies across North America. How it works: it operates as a full-scale contract manufacturer, handling cooking, processing, packaging and distribution of snacks for private-label brands, with facilities equipped for large-volume production. How it differs: it has a long-standing history of manufacturing from scratch (since 1979), a deep specialization in private-label and contract packing, and a wide geographic footprint supported by private-equity ownership that enables scale and reliability. What it aims for: to be one of the largest private-label salty-snack manufacturers in North America, delivering consistent quality and capacity to retailers and brand owners.

Company Size

1-10

Company Stage

Debt Financing

Total Funding

$53M

Headquarters

Massillon, Ohio

Founded

1974

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Expanded from 5 to 17 plants under prior ownership.
  • Grew to 5,000 employees via automation and safety.
  • $2.1 billion revenue in 2024 shows strong performance.

What critics are saying

  • Lubbock closure lays off 176 due to key customer loss.
  • Oyster cracker recall hits Walmart, Target in 24 states.
  • CD&R forces cost-cuts, disrupts in 18-36 months.

What makes Shearers Foods unique

  • Largest North American private label salty snacks manufacturer.
  • World's biggest kettle-cooked snacks producer.
  • First LEED platinum-certified food plant in Massillon.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Flexible Spending Account

401(k) Company Match

Short Term Disability

Long Term Disability

Group Critical Accident Insurance

Group Critical Illness Insurance

Employee Assistance Plan

Company News

Taste of Home
Mar 14th, 2025
Cracker Recall: Oyster Crackers Sold at Walmart, Target Recalled Over Metal Contamination

Shearer's Foods, which supplies oyster crackers that are sold as store brands, recently issued a recall in 24 states because of a possible contamination risk.

Cox Media Group
Jan 7th, 2025
Snack food company gets $12.5M in tax credits to build local factory

Shearer's Foods received $12.5 million in federal New Markets Tax Credits for their new facility in Moraine, according to a media release by CityWide Development Corporation.

Powder & Bulk Solids
May 1st, 2024
Food and Beverage Industry Projects in May 2024

Snack food manufacturer Shearer's Foods is planning to invest $106 million for the renovation and equipment upgrades on a processing facility in Moraine.

FreightWaves
Feb 8th, 2024
329 Layoffs Hit Freight-Related Firms In Texas

Shearer’s FoodsShearer’s Foods is permanently closing a production facility in Lubbock, Texas, and laying off all 176 workers, according to a filing with the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC).The Massillon, Ohio-based company is a contract manufacturer and private label supplier of salty snacks, cookies and crackers.“After an extensive period of consideration, the difficult decision has been made to shutter production at our facility in Lubbock, effective March 31,” the company said in an email to FreightWaves. “This decision came after closely analyzing our supply chain and determining how to best manufacture our products to service our customers. The decision was made largely due to a decrease in demand from the largest customer of the facility.” Shearer’s opened the 180,000-square-foot facility in Lubbock in 2007. The company and its subsidiaries currently operate 16 manufacturing facilities and a distribution center in North America. Company officials did not say if they plan to close other facilities.In December, Shearer’s Foods was acquired by New York-based private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier Rice. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.HollingsworthTransportation and logistics provider Hollingsworth is shutting down a distribution center in Fort Worth and laying off 153 workers. Company officials said the facility’s closure was related to losing a contract with security and aerospace firm Lockheed Martin

Grocery Insight Magazine
Dec 13th, 2023
CD&R to Acquire Shearer's Foods from Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board

In this time, Shearer's has also invested in its plant network to strengthen its relationships with strategic blue-chip customers, while also diversifying its geographic and product mix.

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