Lead Operator
Position Summary
Responsible for the operation of the plant to ensure maximum production, quantity, and quality by directly supervising process operators and boiler operators who work on a 12-hour rotating shift schedule while supporting the policies, goals, and objectives of the company.
Minimum Job Requirements
- Must have a State of Minnesota boilers license
- Must have operational experience in an ethanol plant
- Computer skills: expertise and proficiency with basic office software, e.g., word processing, email, and spreadsheets
- Ability to work effectively with a computerized maintenance management system and instruct others on its operation
- Effective oral and written communication skills
- Ability to train, supervise, and evaluate the performance of subordinates
- Time management skills
- Preferred minimum degree from a two-year college or Technical/vocational school, military background, or three years work experience
- The employee must be able to lift 50 lbs
Principal Duties
Supervise process operators and utility operators on a 12-hour rotating shift schedule
- Ensure that process operators are adequately trained, equipped, and motivated so that the total manufacturing objectives can be accomplished safely, timely, and cost-effectively.
- Communicate regularly with all process operators, both individually and as a group, to ensure consistent operation among the shifts.
- Help Management conduct employee performance reviews based on job descriptions to determine competency, knowledge, and contribution of the process operators.
- Maintain and update operating procedures and training manuals for process operations. Ensure that all process operators are trained on the most updated version of the operating procedures.
Monitor and control plant operations
- Provide expectations and parameters to process operators for plant production.
- Review the operation of the plant to monitor production and quality, anticipate and solve problems in a timely manner, and identify opportunities for improvement.
- Initiate and carry out projects that improve efficiency and/or reduce operating costs.
- Maintain adequate records on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis of key production variables such as volume, yield, uptime, utility consumption, etc.
- Periodically provide written reports on plant production.
- Track chemical and commodities inventories.
Maintain safety, health, and environmental policies and procedures
- Ensure city, county, state, and federal regulations relating to process operations are met at all times.
- Help, maintain, and enforce the safety program for all process operations: review and uphold maximum safety standards for all process operators.
Coordinate activities with other departments
- Communicate directly with maintenance department to coordinate maintenance and repair work in process areas.
- Communicate directly with laboratory to ensure effective participation by the process operators in the implementation of lab policies and procedures.
Other
- Maintain programs and procedures required to ensure plant cleanliness.
- Monitor use and inventories of process chemicals and supplies.
- Other duties may be assigned.
Working Environment
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to work near moving mechanical parts
- The employee is occasionally exposed to wet or humid conditions; must be able to climb ladders and to work in high, precarious places, confined spaces, and outdoor weather conditions.
- The employee may be occasionally exposed to high noise environments.