Sr. Controls Specialist

Founded over 35 years ago, First Quality is a family-owned company that has grown from a small business in McElhattan, Pennsylvania into a group of companies, employing over 5,000 team members, while maintaining our family values and entrepreneurial spirit. With corporate offices in New York and Pennsylvania and 8 manufacturing campuses across the U.S. and Canada, the companies within the First Quality group produce high-quality personal care and household products for large retailers and healthcare organizations. Our personal care and household product portfolio includes baby diapers, wipes, feminine pads, paper towels, bath tissue, adult incontinence products, laundry detergents, fabric finishers, and dishwash solutions. In addition, we manufacture certain raw materials and components used in the manufacturing of these products, including flexible print and packaging solutions.

Guided by our values of humility, unity, and integrity, we leverage advanced technology and innovation to drive growth and create new opportunities. At First Quality, you'll find a collaborative environment focused on continuous learning, professional development, and our mission to Make Things Better®.

We are seeking a Sr. Controls Specialist for our First Quality Home Care Products facility located in Salt Lake City, UT. This position will be responsible for day-to-day management, creation and updating of programs and graphics for new projects along with existing projects. Works with Engineering, Maintenance and Production Department throughout the process to ensure the accuracy and efficiency of all PLC/HMI/Software functions.


Primary responsibilities include:

• Design and develop control systems for manufacturing equipment and production lines
• Select and specify PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, sensors, and instrumentation
• Develop functional specifications and control narratives
• Program and troubleshoot PLCs (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, etc.)
• Implement safety control systems and interlocks
• Partner on system installation and commissioning
• Conduct factory and site acceptance testing (FAT/SAT)
• Support production start-up and process optimization
• Diagnose and resolve control system failures
• Maintain documentation and backups
• Collaborates with Engineering, Maintenance and Production Departments to create/configure the GUI, MMI and HMI graphics in accordance with the PLC programs.

• Coordinate with IS/IT to ensure components, systems, and software are compatible with FQ Standards and Cyber Security requirements

• Ensures that personnel working with programming and graphics are adequately trained, equipped, and motivated through development and coaching so that production can be accomplished in a safe, timely, and cost-effective manner.

The ideal candidate should possess the following:

• BS/BA degree or equivalent work experience.
• A background in a CPG environment is highly desirable.
• 3-7 year(s) Industrial and manufacturing maintenance experience is required.
• Must have 3-7 plus years experience with all types of PLC/HMI programming/graphics as well as the capability to program and create graphics (Inputs, Outputs and Logic). Experience preferred in the following:
  • RSLogix 5 PLC software (Allen Bradley PLC5 processors)
  • RSLogix 500 SLC 500 (AB SLC500/Micrologix processors)
  • RSLogix 5000 programming (AB ControlLogix processors)
  • RSLogix Networx for DeviceNet/ControlNet programming software
  • RSLinx V.2.52 communication software
  • Factory Talk SE
• Must be familiar with company, state and federal safety and electrical regulations.
• Good verbal and written communications abilities, analytical skills, computer literacy to include software for business performance reporting (MS Word, Excel, SAP)
• Must be able to set up and calibrate Instrumentation P.I.D loops containing load cells; LVDT's pressure transducers, and flow elements that interface with PLC's. Ability to read and draw prints. (Line to Line) and identify problems in circuitry.
• Strong technical problem solving to include troubleshooting activities relating to equipment failures, process issues, quality and/or environmental issues.
• Strong communication, presentation and coaching skills; able to provide overall vision and lead change.

What We Offer You

We believe that by continuously improving the quality of our benefits, we can help to raise the quality of life for our team members and their families. At First Quality you will receive:

• Competitive base salary and bonus opportunities
• Paid time off (three-week minimum)
• Medical, dental and vision starting day one
• 401(k) with employer match
• Paid parental leave
• Child and family care assistance (dependent care FSA with employer match up to $2500)
• Bundle of joy benefit (years' worth of free diapers to all team members with a new baby)
• Tuition assistance
• Wellness program with savings of up to $4,000 per year on insurance premiums
• ...and more!

First Quality is committed to protecting information under the care of First Quality Enterprises commensurate with leading industry standards and applicable regulations. As such, First Quality provides at least annual training regarding data privacy and security to employees who, as a result of their role specifications, may come in to contact with sensitive data.

First Quality is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identification, or protected Veteran status.

For immediate consideration, please go to the Careers section at

to complete our online application.

First Quality is committed to protecting information under the care of First Quality Enterprises commensurate with leading industry standards and applicable regulations. As such, First Quality provides at least annual training regarding data privacy and security to employees who, as a result of their role specifications, may come in to contact with sensitive data.

First Quality is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identification, or protected Veteran status.