Plant Chemist

GCC; Rapid City (SD); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Medical

Dental

Vision

Disability insurance

401K

Job summary

GCC is a world‑class company producing cement, ready‑mixed concrete, aggregates, and related products in the United States and Mexico. The role focuses on chemical and physical analysis of cement and raw materials, instrumentation calibration, data interpretation, and supporting quality initiatives in a fast‑paced plant environment.

A Bachelor's degree in Chemistry with 2–4 years of lab experience is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry and 2‑4 years experience and/or training.
• Knowledge and ability to utilize computer software in monitoring and tracking data.
• Desired: Previous experience supervising.
• Ability to apply mathematical concepts and basic geometry to practical situations.

Responsibilities

• Performs chemical and physical analysis of cement, clinker and raw materials according to standardized procedures.
• Maintain reliability and confidence of chemical and physical equipment used for tests.
• Supervise and coordinate hourly employees in the absence of the Quality Control Manager.
• Perform microscopy clinker analysis.
• Ensure safety policies, daily housekeeping, and plant policies are followed.
• Calibrate and maintain lab equipment and assist with data tracking.
• Support process optimization and product quality initiatives.

Skills

Data analysis

Quality control

Mathematical aptitude

Communication with operations

Safety compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry

Tools

XRD analysis

Microscopy

Equipment calibration

X-ray analyzers

Job description

The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented and analytical professional with a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry and 2 to 4 years of laboratory experience, preferably in a cement, manufacturing, or heavy industrial environment. They have hands‑on experience performing chemical and physical testing, interpreting laboratory data, and supporting process optimization and product quality initiatives.

The successful candidate is skilled in laboratory instrumentation, equipment calibration, data analysis, and quality control procedures. They possess strong mathematical aptitude, can effectively communicate recommendations to operations teams, and are comfortable working with computerized data tracking systems. Previous supervisory experience is a plus.

A strong commitment to safety, continuous improvement, and operational excellence is essential. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast‑paced plant environment, demonstrates sound judgment and problem‑solving abilities, and is dedicated to maintaining high standards of quality, accuracy, and regulatory compliance.

What you will do:

Performs chemical and physical analysis of cement, clinker and raw materials compositions used in the production of cement, clinker, kiln feed and raw meal according to established and standardized procedures (ASTM, CCRL, ASSHTO, GCC, ect.).

• Performs chemical-physical analysis of cement, clinker and raw materials compositions used in the production of cement, clinker, kiln feed and raw meal (raw mix) according to established and standardized procedures (ASTM – CCRL – ASSHTO – GCC, etc.).
• Maintain the reliability and confidence of the chemical and physical equipment used for the corresponding tests.
• Supervise and coordinate hourly employees in the absence of the Quality Control Manager.
• Perform microscopy clinker analysis
• Will maintain and enforce a safe working environment, adhere to safety policies and practices, daily housekeeping, and adhere to plant policies and proper use of plant radios.
• Be familiar with MSHA safety rules, safety procedures for plant mobile equipment, lockout/tag‑out policy, confined space permit policy, hot work policy, emergency response plan, arc flash/shock and burn protection, proper containment and disposal process (via Waste Management Plan) for lubricants, paints/solvents and other environmentally sensitive materials.
• Performs wet and/or instrumental analyses of the material through each plant section to establish the correct dosing/proportions accordingly.
• Issues instructions to plant personnel to adjust components of raw feed to effect correct composition.
• Analyzes finish mill on‑stream product to determine the proper proportion of gypsum and/or additional materials.
• Analyzes cement, clinker and other materials by microscopic methods.
• Makes all the required determinations of coal samples either, being fired in the kilns or raw.
• Tests for the level of chlorides in "Stage 4" of the dry process kiln pre‑heater.
• Makes chemical and/or physical analysis (according, but not limited, to the Raw Materials program) of raw material components of cement clinker and calculates their correct proportions necessary to produce cement that will meet specifications concomitant with fuel economy, kiln brick life, etc.
• Analyzes Cement Reference Laboratory cement samples to check against plant laboratory performance.
• Standardize a group of test solutions used in routine control testing.
• Cleans and checks the calibration of balances.
• Makes chemical analysis of raw materials, kiln feed and clinker to develop and provide standards necessary for the calibration of the x-ray analyzers.
• Make all the XRD analysis needed to improve the kiln(s) operation and to find reasons for materials changes (cement, clinker, raw meal, raw materials, etc.)
• Performs assigned tests on new products to determine the feasibility of production within pre‑determined limits.
• Ensure quality of work performed, support, promote and utilize continuous improvement system,
• Observe and promote best practices,
• Calibrate all the needed equipment personally or by hiring a service
• Support the QC Manager to do the yearly department budget
• Learn how works and maintenance of the Automatic Lab Equipment

Experience and abilities you will need:

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry and 2 - 4 years experience and/or training
• Knowledge and ability to utilize computer software in monitoring and tracking data.
• Desired: Previous experience supervising
• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Who we are:

GCC is a world‑class company that produces, distributes and markets cement, ready‑mixed concrete, aggregates, and innovative products related to the construction industries in Mexico and the United States. We take pride in being a market leader with a culture of innovation, high performance and safety. GCC offers a very competitive benefits program including paid time off, medical, dental, vision, short and long‑term disability insurance plans, and a 401K.

You will love working here because:

At GCC, employees are our most important resource. As a part of the GCC family, you'll be welcomed into a culture that promotes the company vision and internal career growth. Our company vision is to have our customers recognize us as a business partner that generates the most value for their construction projects. We're a sustainable growing company, a great place to work, and a solid investment for our shareholders. GCC is an enterprise with a global and sustainable approach. Our production is mainly devoted to the manufacture and sale of gray Portland cement, mortar, premixed concrete, concrete blocks, plaster, aggregates, and other construction materials. Join the family!

An Equal Opportunity Employer

GCC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by law or regulation. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions are based on job‑related factors.