Pilot Plant Coordinator

Tate & Lyle; Hoffman Estates (IL); On-site; USD 48,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equal opportunity employer

Job summary

Tate & Lyle in Hoffman Estates, IL seeks a hands-on Process Lab Operator to safely run food processing equipment, support pilot trials and troubleshoot processes.

You will maintain equipment, perform pre-startup inspections, ensure food safety compliance, and help document sanitation and lab activities. This role offers growth into a larger position and requires engineering coursework or extensive food processing experience.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years of college in Engineering
• Previous food industrial experience in pilot plant or 5+ years in food processing
• In-depth knowledge of food processing equipment
• Familiar with food safety procedures and documentation
• Proficient with MS Office tools

Responsibilities

• Operate process and lab equipment independently and safely
• Perform pre-startup inspections and maintenance
• Support scientist pilot work and trial runs
• Maintain equipment lists and sanitation records
• Coordinate external service of equipment as needed
• Ensure food safety documentation for pilot runs
• Participate in food safety committee activities
• Assist in safety programme and incident reporting
• Keep labs clean and inventory stocked

Skills

Equipment knowledge

Organizational skills

Verbal and written communication

Team player

Creativity/innovation

Safety awareness

MS Office

Lifting 50 lbs

Education

Engineering college coursework (2 yrs)

Tools

Food processing equipment

Job description

Position Summary

The primary responsibility of this position is the independent, safe operation of equipment in the food process labs and facilitation of scientist pilot work. This person must have a strong understanding of Food GMP and good organizational and communication skills. This position will help with process troubleshooting and developing corrective action plans as needed. This position will be located in the Hoffman Estates, IL Innovation Center. Opportunity to grown into larger role in the organization.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the independent, safe operation of process and lab equipment
• Installation oversight
• Pre-startup inspections
• Job safety analyses
• Preventative maintenance
• Facilitate scientist trial work
• Support the Applications and Tech Service group by running and maintaining process equipment
• Maintain the schedule of activities in the wet process, dry process and confectionery labs in alignment with team priorities
• Participate as a member of the food safety committee to assure compliance in the food labs and ensure that our products are fit for human consumption.
• Maintain appropriate food safety documentation for all food grade pilot runs.
• Maintain up-to-date equipment list and assist in identification of new equipment
• Coordinate outside service of equipment as needed
• Properly clean and sanitize processing equipment between runs and end of day, and maintain records demonstrating sanitization effectiveness
• Clean and sanitize process lab areas
• Maintain basic food ingredient inventory
• Fully participate in the safety programme, including reporting any incidents or near misses and auditing.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years of college in Engineering and previous food industrial experience in a pilot plant OR 5+ years’ experience in food processing
• In-depth knowledge of food processing equipment
• Good organizational and time management skills
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Positive attitude capable of working as a team
• Creative / Innovative – Able to design, develop and implement new pilot processes
• Asks pertinent questions regarding the safe operation of the processes
• Knowledgeable in the MS office platform
• Able to lift 50 lbs.
• Familiar with food safety and quality procedures and processes

Tate & Lyle is an equal opportunity employer, committed to the strength of an inclusive workforce.

With 165 years of ingredient innovation, Tate & Lyle helps food and beverage brands grow by winning on taste, nutrition and performance. The company’s ingredients power products consumed by millions every day, delivering value in 120 markets. Tate & Lyle combines leading expertise in sweetening, mouthfeel and fortification to reduce sugar, calories and fat, add fibre and protein, and optimise texture and stability across beverages, dairy, bakery, snacks, soups, sauces and dressings. With approximately 5,000 experts across around 75 locations in 38 countries, Tate & Lyle partners globally to solve challenges, accelerate launches and deliver commercial advantage, guided by its brand promise: Science, Solutions, Society worldwide.

For more information, please visit www.tateandlyle.com or follow Tate & Lyle on LinkedIn, X (Twitter), Facebook or YouTube