Pellet Mill Operator

Enviva; Franklin (VA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus

Equity

Relocation assistance

Medical insurance

Dental & vision

401(k)

Paid time off

12 paid holidays

Parental leave

Job summary

Enviva is seeking a Pellet Mill Operator to operate and maintain multiple pellet mills, ensuring optimal feed rates and pellet quality. You will adjust rolls and dies, perform QC testing, and troubleshoot equipment to meet company standards.

The role requires mechanical aptitude, basic math skills, and a strong commitment to safety. You will document inspections, maintain clean work areas, and contribute to consistent production quality in a demanding outdoor environment.

Qualifications

• Must demonstrate mechanical aptitude.
• Proficient in mathematics and measurements.
• Ability to read data and trends to make appropriate process adjustments.
• Proven record in upholding safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Analyze equipment performance and adjust tooling to meet throughput and quality.
• Inspect equipment and maintain it in good condition as per schedule.
• Review work orders to determine materials, procedures, and forming steps for pellet production.
• Set speeds, pressures and temperatures to control material flow and product quality.
• Monitor indicators and detect malfunctions to take corrective actions.
• Coordinate maintenance and housekeeping to keep equipment in safe condition.
• Maintain production quality and adhere to safety procedures at all times.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Mathematics & measurements

Data interpretation

Safety compliance

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

The Enviva team is driven by our shared vision for a renewable energy future. We are a fast-growing, purpose-driven, global energy company specializing in delivering sustainable wood bioenergy solutions. We are the world’s largest producer of sustainable wood pellets, which provide a low-carbon alternative to fossil fuels.

As a Pellet Mill Operator, you will operate and maintain several pellet mills, ensuring optimal feed rates, adjusting rolls/dies, and monitoring pellet quality to meet company standards; assist in conducting QC testing, troubleshoot equipment malfunctions, perform ash tests, and maintain a clean work environment.

Responsibilities

• Analyze equipment performance and make necessary tooling and equipment changes to produce desired throughput and quality results.
• Perform and document required inspections of equipment and maintain equipment in good condition.
• Review work order specifications or instructions to determine materials, ingredients, procedures, extracting, forming, pressing and compacting materials to produce pellets.
• Adjust machine components to regulate speed, pressure and temperatures of machine, amount, dimensions and flow of materials and ingredients.
• Monitor machine operations and observes indicator lights and gauges, such as thermometers, voltage meters and timers to detect malfunctions.
• Perform/coordinate maintenance on equipment per job instructions.
• Perform/coordinate housekeeping to required standard.
• Maintain consistent production quality to required standard.
• Follow all workplace and job safety procedures.
• Complete accurate reporting as required.
• Communicate operational information as required.
• Enter maintenance work requests as applicable.
• Escalate issues promptly for proper resolution.

Qualifications

• Must demonstrate mechanical aptitude.
• Proficient in mathematics and measurements
• Ability to read data and trends to make appropriate process adjustments.
• Proven record in upholding safety standards.

Preferred Qualifications - What Sets You Apart

• High School Diploma or GED.
• At least two (2) years of previous manufacturing experience.
• Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
• Operations Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Troubleshooting - Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
• Equipment Maintenance - Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

Working conditions

• Must be able to work in outdoor environments and occasionally in temperatures above 100 degrees and below 32 degrees
• Willing and able to work in a hot, humid, cold and noisy industrial environment
• Willing and able to maintain strict adherence to safety rules and regulations, to include wearing safety equipment.
• Work at elevated heights and on slippery or uneven surfaces.
• Adapt to working within a team or alone, with minimal supervision.

Physical requirements

• Must be able to perform tasks such as lifting, walking, climbing, stooping, standing, pushing and/or pulling for up to twelve (12) hours a day.
• Must be able to work around moving equipment and machinery.
• Must be able to pull and lift, up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA.
• Ability to climb a crane in excess of 100 feet high.
• Ability to work from heights (at least 20 feet off the ground).
• Able to climb a crane in excess of 100 feet high.
• Able to climb vertical ladders (fixable or portable) at unbroken lengths of up to 20 feet.
• Able to climb multiple flights of steps, angled ramps as needed.
• Able to work on computer screen format for up to twelve (12) hours a day.

Other compensation:performance bonus, equity, and relocation assistance for eligible candidates.

• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• 401(k)
• HSA employer contributions
• Paid time off.
• 12 Paid holidays.
• Parental leave

The final pay offered to a successful candidate will be dependent on several factors that may include but are not limited to the type and years of experience within the job, the type of years and experience within the industry, education, training, etc.

Salary Range

$20.93 - $22.25 USD

This position is not eligible for visa support.

EEO Statement

Enviva is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity (EEO) in any term, condition or privilege of employment. Enviva does not discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, uniform service member, genetic information or any other status protected by law. Enviva complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which we operate.