Process Engineer

The Process Engineer (PE) is responsible for determining operations to produce products and develop processes to ensure quality, cost, and efficiency requirements are met.  This includes coordinating, leading, implementing, and integrating continuous improvement tools and practices as well as evaluating alternative feedstock and process technologies with marketable potential.  The PE will assist Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative to achieve its mission, vision, and business needs through (1) identifying, implementing, and utilizing continuous processes aimed at broad based loss elimination; (2) researching, designing, planning, and implementing product development aimed at diversifying revenue streams while reducing waste and unnecessary overhead; and (3) utilizing communication and training techniques to apply company best practices and standards to optimize safe, efficient profitable operations.

Essential Functions:

• Evaluates, implements, and monitors processes and operating systems for the manufacture of sugar products and co-products.
• Leverages existing resources to facilitate continuous improvement tool implementation and documented high performance work system methodologies, including but not limited to:  calibrating equipment and monitoring results, evaluating instrumentation and sampling points, and collecting and interpreting data from other technical and operating personnel and systems.
• Maintains reliable and safe manufacturing systems while improving production rates, efficiencies, yields, costs, and changeovers without compromising the Company’s commitment to safety, quality, and the environment.
• Leads the rollout of continuous improvement tools and concepts to the leadership team, including the identification, evaluation, implementation, and assessment of an integrated operations software solution.
• Conducts data analysis and research to benchmark with other excellent operations and continually reapplies best practice/company standards, including performing shrinkage and strength testing; assists in implementing a preventative maintenance program aimed and reducing downtime and increasing predictive analysis.
• Establishes internal lead site efforts to test new learnings and capability to deliver breakthrough results; audits and improves performance-based procedures for operators.
• Develops and implements corporate continuous process improvement and product development teams to maintain pace and progress; provides specific coaching to leadership and executive teams.
• Create mass and energy balances.
• Develop and conduct benchtop trials and process modeling.
• Develop new testing methods to better identify and quantify processing issues and opportunities.
• Create, budget, and manage capital projects
• Supports SMBSC in its implementation of continuous improvement tools by providing coaching and direction on integration, improvement processes, site-specific scorecards, and master plans.
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• Designs and conducts research projects on topics such as thermodynamics, mixing, filtration, distillation, extraction, and separation to introduce new revenue streams.
• Analyzes data from research on water treatments or solvent extraction and recovery processes to reduce and/or eliminate waste.
• Evaluates the financial aspects of product development, such as budgets, expenditures, research and development appropriations, or return-on-investment and profit-loss projections; maximizes the Company’s profits and/or share of the market while ensuring commitment to the organization’s mission and vision as well as safe, quality, environmentally-friendly co-products.
• Proposes new products, processes, technologies, or applications based on research results.
• Provides technical and scientific guidance to operations staff to identify and conduct new and on-going research.
• Conducts research to develop innovative co-products aimed at improving bioprocessing characteristics or reducing environmental impacts.
• Evaluates energy production data; determine functional usage and possible techniques to collect unused or lost energy streams.
• Oversees product development or monitors trends that indicate the need for new products and services; consult with marketing partners to identify niche markets to utilize co-products

 Core Competencies and Skill Requirements:

• Commitment to zero lost time, uncompromising quality, and a 100% environmentally compliant work environment
• Ability to work in a responsible, safe manner by adhering to SMBSC’s policies and procedures
• Broad understanding of technical and chemical concepts
• Knowledge of mathematical concepts including algebra, geometry, statistics and calculus
• Knowledge of chemical concepts including chemical composition, structure and properties of substances and the chemical processes and transformations they undergo
•  Knowledge of the practical application of science, including applying principles, techniques, and procedures to the design, research and development of production activities
• Demonstrated critical thinking skills
• Ability to gather information by observing, receiving and obtaining information from relevant sources
• Ability to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems
• Ability to read, understand and interpret information and ideas presented through written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to develop constructive and cooperative working relationships with internal and external audiences and maintain these relationships over time to advance the overall public image of SMBSC
• Ability to document information in a logical, sequential manner
• Ability to communicate with a variety of audiences with diverse backgrounds using oral and written communication as well as individual and group formats, including presentations to train and guide technicians and professionals
•  Strong conflict management and resolution skills
•   Ability to handle complaints, settle disputes and resolve conflicts; negotiates with external audiences
•   Ability to maintain a high level of interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential situations
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Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field
• Three to five years’ experience analyzing data and providing trend analysis
•  Proficient in Microsoft Office

Other:

 Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.  Duties, responsibilities and activities may change any time with or without notice.