Plant Engineer

Reports To: Plant Manager

FLSA Status: Exempt

Pay Range: Competitive Salary, DOE, DOQ

Summary

Work closely with Operations Team to optimize product quality, production rates, yield, and plant efficiency; implement capital projects and own Process Safety Management Program. This position is located at the Novita Aurora facility, 2 miles east of Brookings, SD. job application

Responsibilities & Experience

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Facility Engineering

• Manage and coordinate contracted work to implement Capital Projects as necessary. This includes safe work, quality of installed product, adherence to engineering specifications and engineering input to design issues.

• Complete assigned pre-startup plan actions, including developing Process Safety Management Program and documentation, supporting regulatory program and commissioning / startup plan development.

• Develop and oversee Performance Test plan, including environmental documentation and testing requirements.

• Coordinate with production staff for requiring any facility outage or extra operations staffing to complete project and implement.

• Develop scope of work and budget through phase implementation project development process.

• Identify facility projects to increase efficiencies, improve safety, decrease working capital costs, and improve yields.

Plant Operations

• Perform all job duties and challenge others to perform in a safe manner, comply with all regulatory requirements and continually challenge performance to get to the next level for long term profitability of the business.

• Facility Optimization by working with the Operations Team to optimize plant operations using historical data, determining operating parameters/procedures and operator knowledge.

• Identify bottlenecking areas throughout plant, devise a solution to the bottleneck and implement.

• Focus on oil yields, shrink, energy efficiencies and product loss improvements through using a systematic means of approach method.

• Be the Subject Matter Expert on the plant process controls system - modifying control logic, tuning loops, utilizing advanced process control functions, developing reports, trends, and graphics to support operational needs.

• Recommend technology improvements and develop scope / payback for said recommendations.

• Lead Process Improvement Projects through means of Continuous Improvement Methods.

• Balance safe operations, product quality, production rates, yields and efficiencies.

• Lead site's OSHA's Process Safety Management Program.

• Support troubleshooting efforts for production issues.

• Backfill manager roles at times due to workload, absences, and vacations.

• Own Process Safety Management Program by ensuring facility is adhering to all 14 elements of the PSM program.

• Support plant shutdown planning processes and work execution assignments.

• Participate in off-hours on-call program thru scheduled rotational assignments.

All other duties as assigned.

Education and Pertinent/Proven Experience

The minimum requirements for education and experience are listed below. Consideration will be given to individuals with an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering and 3-7 years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in hexane extraction process plant required.

Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual must have expertise and proficiency with spreadsheet software and basic knowledge of word processing software plus experience both researching issues and accessing information on the Internet. Specific knowledge of grain management software and systems is desirable.

Communications: Strong written and verbal presentation capabilities, with the ability to make presentations to Board of Directors, Senior Management, investors, lenders, producers, customers, and other groups including plant tours.

Organizational Skills: Skill and experience to establish and maintain inventory tracking systems that are acceptable to management and regulatory agencies.

Certificates and Licenses: None.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Carries out supervisory responsibilities within the operations area as assigned in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Participate with interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; and addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Work Environment / Physical Requirements

This position operates in a process plant environment with strict safety, regulatory and conduct standards. The individual may be exposed to noise, heat, and other elements in outdoor and indoor environments. While performing duties of this position, the individual may be exposed to moving, mechanical parts, dusty conditions, high noise levels and chemicals. Specific physical requirements include:

• Occasionally working in confined spaces,
• Wearing proper respiratory protection,
• Occasionally lifting weight up to 50#,
• Climbing several flights of stairs and ladders,
• Bending, twisting, and turning while lifting weights up to 50#,
• Sitting at a desk for extended periods of time,
• Working at heights and temperatures from -20 to 100+ degrees,
• Standing for extended periods of time,
• Working on elevated platforms and surfaces.

Qualified candidates please fill out the job application and return to us.

Email or Phone: (605) 610-1026