Controls Technician
Howdens
Develop, troubleshoot and improve automation and control systems for manufacturing lines.
28 days ago ago
Intermediate (4-7 years), Experienced (8-12 years), Expert & Leadership (13+ years), Junior (1-3 years)
Full Time
Runcorn, England, United Kingdom
Onsite
Company Size
12,000 Employees
Service Specialisms
Joinery
Design
Manufacturing
Supply Chain Management
Distribution
Product Development
Logistics
Retail
Sector Specialisms
Residential
Commercial
Industrial
Buildings
Role
What you would be doing
process knowledge
automation skills
improvement projects
plc design
team coaching
change management
- Develop knowledge of the manufacturing process and operating sequences of the manufacturing processes and cascade with maintenance teams.
- Develop knowledge and application of automation skills and techniques to drive improvement and cascade with maintenance teams.
- Develop and implement projects to drive improvement in manufacturing availability, product quality, employee safety and process efficiency.
- Organising automation, electrical, and PLC design projects by identifying short-term, and long-range issues; preparing timetables, cost estimates, and detailed documentation on project completion
- Coach and develop the maintenance engineering team members’ knowledge of machine control and automation systems.
- Implement plant/process development opportunities that improve Safety, Quality, Cost and Delivery.
- Delivery of change management activities
What you bring
hnc
servo drives
plcs
hmi
robotics
fault finding
- Knowledge of parameterisation and commissioning of servo drives and inverters.
- Minimum of HNC in Electrical Engineering or equivalent
- Experience of designing and modifying control circuits and program logic
- Time served Electrical Engineer, Automation / Controls apprentice with a minimum of 3 years post-qualification work experience within an FMCG environment.
- 7 days of
- Ability to work alone and in a team
- Ability to fault find and implement program modifications on a range of PLCs, HMIs and Robotics
- Experience of fault-finding on industrial communication networks
- Self-motivated & Safety Oriented
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays per year & opportunity to buy extra holidays.
- Free daily meal at the on-site canteen
- Exceptional reward and recognition events
- Share save scheme.
- Competitive salary and bonus scheme
- Excellent pension scheme (company contribution of up to 12%)
Information not given or found
Interview process
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Visa SponsorshipInformation not given or found
Security clearanceInformation not given or found
Company
Overview
£2.3 Billion
Annual Revenue
The company achieves consistent financial success with its revenue reaching over £2.3 billion annually.
£328 Million
Pre-Tax Profits
Annual pre-tax profits stand near £328 million, reflecting strong financial health and growth.
900 Depots
Extensive Distribution Network
The company operates over 900 depots across the UK and internationally, providing reliable service to builders and professionals.
1995
Year Founded
Established in 1995 with 14 depots, the company has grown into a major trade-only kitchen and joinery specialist.
- Designs, manufactures, and stocks kitchen cabinets, joinery items, flooring, appliances, and hardware from UK sites for in-stock reliability.
- Supports professional builders with locally empowered service across the UK and Europe.
- Typical projects include full kitchen fits for homeowners and supplying cabinetry and hardware for builders and developers.
- Expanded by launching 11 new kitchen ranges and increasing in-house production of fronts and panels in 2024.
- Distinctive for its trade-only, in-stock model and large-scale manufacturing of components in Yorkshire and Cheshire.
- Lamona, an integrated kitchen appliance brand launched in 2007, marks expansion into appliances.
- Holds a Royal Warrant as supplier of fitted kitchens to the Queen since 2015, highlighting its reputation for quality.
- We do what we say, and we rely on each other to do exactly that, every single day.
- Everyone at Howdens is responsible for maintaining our industry‑leading reputation.
- The business should be worthwhile for all concerned – customers … suppliers … staff and their families.
- Building trust within the company and with our loyal customers and suppliers.
42% Scope Emissions
Reduction Target
Target to reduce Scope 1 & 2 emissions by 42% by 2030, moving toward a 90% reduction by 2050 (base year 2021).
£3.5M Solar Investment
PV Solar Initiative
Investment in solar panels expected to save ~1,000 t CO₂e annually, contributing ~8% of purchased energy savings.
39T Plastic Removed
Plastic Packaging Reduction
Initiative to remove 39 tonnes of plastic packaging in 2024, saving ~110 t CO₂e.
40% HVO Target
Fleet Sustainability
Target to double HVO use to 40% by end-2025, with 15 LNG vehicles and 4 electric trucks in operation.
- Net zero target date: by 2050
- Zero to landfill achieved across all UK operations in 2023 and maintained in 2024
- Sawdust-to-heat biomass boilers convert over 10,000 tonnes sawdust annually, supplying energy equivalent to 10,000 households
- Installed waste-heat recovery saving ~600 t CO₂e/year; Power Radar meters identified ~500 t CO₂e/year savings
- 100% renewable grid electricity at manufacturing sites; 96% renewable energy at depots
- Supplier engagement: Scope 3 is 95% of total emissions; engaged 100+ suppliers (covering ~40% of spend), >50% submitting emissions data and aligned to targets
- All timber products FSC or PEFC certified; Greenwich matt kitchen frontals are 100% recyclable
31 Wellbeing Representatives
Trained in 2023
Represents the number of trained wellbeing representatives supporting mental and women's health initiatives.
- Partnered in 2023 with Wellbeing for Women and ANDY’s Man Club for workplace mental-health webinars
- Plans in place to expand wellbeing rep network beyond initial 31
- No gender‑related statistics publicly disclosed
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