Company Overview
Why Choose Us?
Novolex is a leading manufacturer of food, beverage, and specialty packaging that supports multiple industries including foodservice, restaurant delivery and carryout, food processing, grocery and retail, and industrial sectors. Novolex manufacturing and sourcing expertise spans a diverse range of substrates including resin, paper, molded fiber, aluminum and more. We provide customers a broad array of stock and customized solutions with 120 product categories, 250 brands and over 39,000 SKUs.
Our Sustainability Commitment
The Novolex sustainability vision is built upon three pillars: our products, our operations and our people. Each is critically important to our growth and future as a business. These pillars form the foundation of our company-wide commitment to sustainability, helping us achieve our ambitious goals through our wide-ranging initiatives.
Job Description
Position Summary
The Electrical Controls Technician serves as the facility's primary controls and automation specialist, responsible for the reliability, performance, and continuous improvement of all control systems supporting manufacturing operations. This role requires advanced technical expertise in PLC programming, industrial automation, and system integration, and functions as the technical escalation point for complex electrical and control-related issues. This position serves as a frontline technical authority and an extension of management, exercising independent judgment on operational and personnel matters to ensure reliability, efficiency, and accountability of the workforce.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Serve as the subject matter expert (SME) for all plant control systems, including PLCs, VFDs, HMIs, and industrial communication networks (e.g., Ethernet/IP).
Participate in interviewing and selecting maintenance employees; provide recommendations that carry weight in hiring decisions
Provide day-to-day directions and oversight to maintenance personnel on assigned shifts or projects.
Perform advanced troubleshooting and diagnostics on PLC-controlled equipment, integrated production systems, and electrical/automation failures.
Read, interpret, and modify PLC programs and control logic to improve equipment reliability, reduce downtime, and optimize performance.
Lead root cause analysis efforts for recurring or complex failures and implement sustainable corrective actions.
Act as the technical escalation point, providing guidance to maintenance technicians, electromechanics, and production personnel.
Support and execute capital projects and equipment upgrades, including controls integration, commissioning, and startup validation.
Develop and maintain electrical schematics, control documentation, PLC backups, and version control.
Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives related to automation, efficiency, and system reliability.
Ensure compliance with safety standards, including electrical safety and lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures.
Collaborate with Engineering, Continuous Improvement, and Operations teams.
Train, coach, and develop maintenance employees in electrical and controls competencies
Promote a culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement within the maintenance team
Perform other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
High School Diploma or GED required.
Associate or bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, Mechatronics, Industrial Technology, or related field (or equivalent experience)
3-5 years of industrial maintenance experience with a strong controls/automation focus.
Demonstrated experience with PLC troubleshooting/programming, 480V electrical systems, VFDs, and motor control systems.
Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and perform system-level diagnostics.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
Required Qualifications
PLC certification ( Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or equivalent ).
Technical degree in Electrical, Mechatronics, or related field (or equivalent experience).
Experience with industrial networks (Ethernet/IP, DeviceNet), HMI configuration, and CMMS systems (e.g., SAP).
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills.
Strong understanding of industrial automation systems.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Effective communication and collaboration skills.
High level of technical judgment and decision-making capability.
Physical Requirements
Ability to stand, walk, bend, and climb for extended periods.
Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
Ability to work in an industrial manufacturing environment (noise, heat, moving equipment).
Position Distinction
This position is a specialized technical role with responsibility for the configuration, performance, and reliability of plant automation systems. Unlike general maintenance roles, the Electrical Controls Technician exercises independent technical judgment in modifying system behavior, serves as a technical authority and escalation point, and directly influences production performance, safety systems, and operational efficiency.
Classification
Non-Bargaining Unit Position. This role is classified outside of the bargaining unit due to its advanced technical specialization in PLCs and automation, authority to modify and control production systems, independent decision-making, and functional leadership in guiding technical problem resolution.
Company Benefits
What You'll Get From Us
Benefits
With safety as our top priority and a commitment to employee well-being an important focus, we offer comprehensive and competitive benefits that include medical, dental and vision insurance as well as a variety of other well-being resources focused on mental, physical and financial health. Specific benefits and well-being programs may vary depending on where you work.
Community Engagement
At Novolex, giving back to the local communities that support us is important. Our Focused Giving Program prioritizes support for organizations whose missions promote sustainability initiatives or address food and hunger needs. We also encourage facility level support of activities in the communities where our employees live and work.
Training and Development
We offer constant opportunities for advancement. From skills development to advanced education programs, training and development programs and courses are available through MyLearning. Programs include company and industry training curricula, support for formal education through the Tuition Reimbursement Program (Non-Union), and a Learning Management System that supports and enhances employee skills at all levels of the organization.
Novolex is committed to providing equal employment opportunity in all employment practices, including but not limited to selection, hiring, promotion, transfer, and compensation to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, handicap or disability, genetics, citizenship status, service member or veteran status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law. Any individual who, because of his or her disability, needs an accommodation in connection with an aspect of the Company's application process should contact myHRservices@novolex.com .
Formerly Pactiv Evergreen
Job Locations US-VA-Grottoes
ID 2026-34421
Category Operations
Position Type Full Time
Pay Type Hourly
