Plant Engineer

POSITION PURPOSE

The Plant Engineer identifies and executes capital or continuous improvement projects that increase the profitability of the facility. The Plant Engineer assists the Production Manager in the management of the operations of the plant facility. This position will be required to go through a plant operations training program. The program will require the Plant Engineer to work rotating shifts during the training program. The training program duration is expected to last approximately six months. During this time, the Plant Engineer will be expected to learn, understand, and operate the facility. Upon completion of the training program, the Plant Engineer will transition over to working a daily schedule. The Plant Engineer will be responsible for the coordination of the Shift Leads and the shift operators to maintain consistent operations in accordance with established SOP’s. In addition, the position will assist the Production Manager in identifying and executing capital or continuous improvement projects that increase the profitability of the facility.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND BASIC DUTIES

• Identify, initiate and execute projects that improve efficiency, increase production and/or reduce operating costs.
• Manage, maintain, and improve Key Business Indicators (KBI) and associated monitoring systems.
  • Maintain adequate records on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, of key production variables such as production volume, yield, plant uptime, utility consumption, etc.
• Review the operational data to monitor production and quality, anticipate solving problems in a timely manner, and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Participate in setting objectives, plan development and performance review of plant performance.
• Assist in the development and continuous updating of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s).
• Assist in communicating regularly with all process operators, both individually and as a group, to ensure consistent operation among the shifts.
• Assist in communicating expectations and parameters to lead operators and operators for plant production.
• Acquire knowledge of the standards, procedures, methods, and leadership skills to facilitate an advancement to management.
• Coordinate Process Safety Management implementation and execution along with plant management which includes:
  • Initiating and leading the Management of Change process.
  • Initiating and leading the Pre-Safety Start Review process.
  • Maintaining the hazardous chemical inventory
  • Maintaining Labeling in accordance with PSM and OSHA requirements.
  • Involved with Incident Management and Investigation in operations.
  • Involved in Process Hazard Analysis
• Assist in the maintaining of regulatory requirements under EPA Title V, OSHA, FSMA and keeping the process areas within those associated parameters.
• Maintain updated plant P&ID drawings and block flow diagrams to ensure the plant is accurately represented.
• Coordinate special projects as directed.
• Assist in the planning, scheduling, manpower resource scheduling, and shift management for planned shutdowns.
• Ability to serve as Shift Lead as needed.
• Assist with: interviewing, hiring, and training plant employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; and addressing complaints and resolving problems.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Certification:

• Bachelor degree in Process or Chemical engineering preferred

Required Knowledge & Experience:

• 5 years experience in the operation of a dry-mill ethanol plant preferred
• Strong knowledge of chemical, food, or fuel production process and technology required
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office software required
• Capital project management experience required
• Demonstrated performance in working in a team environment along with strong influencing skills required
• Experience in modeling processes such as ASPEN or ChemCad preferred
• Familiarity with Pressure Vessels, Relief Systems, ASME, API preferred

Skills/Abilities:

• Extensive experience in building databases and analyzing data
• Work effectively with the plant’s Distributed Control System (DCS) and instruct others on its operation
• Ability to maintain courteous, professional and effective working relationships with employees at all levels of the organization
• Ability to communicate information and state problems or challenges to be resolved in a clear, concise, courteous, nondiscriminatory and professional manner and be able to provide clarification as necessary
• Capable of adapting, with minimal or no advance notice, to changes in how business is conducted and work is accomplished, with no diminishment in work performance