Pilot Plant Operator

NC State University; Kannapolis (NC); On-site; USD 33,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university is seeking a Pilot Plant Operator to support production activities in the North Carolina Food Innovation Lab. Candidates should have a strong background in food science, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively. Responsibilities include managing equipment and ensuring compliance with safety and quality regulations.

Qualifications

• Two years of experience related to the area of assignment.
• Experience in Food Science, Hospitality, or related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage food equipment set-up, sanitation, and processing.
• Supervise maintenance of equipment in the Pilot Plant.
• Ensure compliance with cGMP and FDA guidelines.

Skills

Excellent written communication skills

Excellent oral communication skills

Ability to work independently

Team player

Education

High school diploma or equivalency

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Please attach a Cover Letter, resume/CV, and contact information for three (3) professional references.

Job Posting Information

Posting Number

Posting Number PG194454SP

Internal Recruitment

Internal Recruitment No

Working Title

Working Title Pilot Plant Operator

Anticipated Hiring Range

Anticipated Hiring Range $46,000

Work Schedule

Job Location

Job Location Kannapolis, NC

Department

Department North Carolina Food Innovation Lab (NCFIL)

About the Department

The North Carolina Food Innovation Lab ( NCFIL ) is a state-of-the-art facility assisting food companies and entrepreneurs in creating plant-based foods located on the NC Research Campus in Kannapolis, NC. The NC Research Campus was created to have all aspects of human health and nutrition in one place complimented by multiple state and private entities providing academic and research resources to promote human health.

This position will act as program support for NCFIL and the Innovation Lab’s activities with food companies and entrepreneurs. The successful candidate is expected to support all pilot plant production activities including equipment maintenance, warehouse management, ordering, and shipping of materials or equipment. This position will also support routine and non-routine analytical testing.

Duties include (but are not limited to):

• Management of food equipment set-up, sanitation, processing, and cleaning
• Follow all safety procedures and practices and maintain a safe work environment
• Make recommended changes in a manufacturing process to improve or produce final products
• Supervise routine maintenance of equipment in the Pilot Plant, warehouse, and lab area and familiarity with making repairs in an expedited manner
• Management of warehouse and inventorying of ingredients and packaging materials and familiarity with FIFO and disposal requirements per FDA .
• Oversee of ordering and shipping of materials
• Document all production runs and results in batch records and per protocols
• Responsible for contributing to FDA inspection or audit readiness and for participating in quality audits
• Ensure all documentation produced is in compliance with current good manufacturing practices (cGMP)

You Belong Here! At NC State, our goal is for all employees to reach their fullest potential at work. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition (https://news.hr.ncsu.edu/you-belong-here/ ) and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.

This position is located in Kannapolis, NC.

Other Responsibilities

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalency and two years of experience related to the area of assignment; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Other Required Qualifications

• Excellent written and oral communications skills
• Ability to work independently and as a team player

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in Food Science, Hospitality, or related field to FSMA /food production
• Preferred knowledge of FSMA requirements, inventory control, and market analysis

Required License or Certification

• N/A

Valid NC Driver's License required

Valid NC Driver's License required No

Commercial Driver's License Required?

Commercial Driver's License Required? No

Recruitment Dates and Special Instructions

Job Open Date

Job Open Date 02/04/2025

Earliest Close Date---- (Positions will be posted until 5:00 PM ET on this date. Positions remaining posted after this date are still accepting applications but may close at any time.)

Earliest Close Date---- (Positions will be posted until 5:00 PM ET on this date. Positions remaining posted after this date are still accepting applications but may close at any time.) 06/30/2025

Notice to Applicants

Please make sure that the work history you list on your application is identical to the work history listed on your resume. The application must be filled out completely, do not use the phrase “see resume”.

Special Instructions

Please attach a Cover Letter, resume/CV, and contact information for three (3) professional references.

Position Number

Position Number 00109976

Position Type

Position Type SHRA

Position Classification Band Title

Position Classification Band Level

Position Classification Band Level Contributing

Position Classification Salary Range

Position Classification Salary Range $ 33,540 - $ 86,240

Salary Grade Equivalency

Salary Grade Equivalency GN07

Alternate Option

If no applicants apply who meet the required competency level and training & experience requirements, then management may consider other applicants. Salary would be determined based on competencies, equity, budget, and market considerations.

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week)

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week) 1.0

Appointment

Appointment 12 Month Recurring

Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events

Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events Mandatory - Medical Emergencies

Time Limited Position

Time Limited Position Yes

Time-Limited Appointment Length (if applicable)

Time-Limited Appointment Length (if applicable) 2 years

Department Id

Department Id 110309 - NC Food Innovation Lab

EEO

NC State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-515-3148 to speak with a representative at the Office of Equal Opportunity.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at [phone] or [e-mail] .

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * How did you learn of this opportunity?
  • NCSU website
  • Craigslist
  • Indeed.com
  • Carolina Job Finder/Employment Guide
  • NC Works
  • Dress for Success
  • Technical/Trade School Program
  • Job Fair (Identify Job Fair in question #2 below)
  • Direct Contact from NSCU Representative (identify person in question #2 below)
  • Other
  • Monster.com
  • Other online job board
  • NCSU employee referral
  • Social Media (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Ohter)
• If you learned about this vacancy from "other source" or "other website", please provide the source.

  (Open Ended Question)

• * Please select the response below that best describes your experience/education for the Specialty Trades Technician position.
  • High school diploma/GED and two years of experience in the field of work related to the position's role
  • Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctorate in a related field
  • Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctorate in unrelated field and at least two years of experience in the field of work related to the position's role
  • Combination of post-high school education and experience to equal at least two years of experience in the field of work related to the position's role (ex: 1 year towards a related degree and 1 year of related experience)
  • Did not complete high school but have a combination of high school education and experience to equal at least 6 years of experience in field of work related to the position's role (ex. 1 year of high school and 5 years of related experience)
  • None of the above
• * Briefly please describe your experience in Food Science, Hospitality, or related field to FSMA/food production.

  (Open Ended Question)

Required Documents

• Cover Letter
• Resume/CV
• Contact Information for References
Optional Documents

NC STATE UNIVERSITY
RALEIGH, NC 27695
PHONE: [phone]