Process Engineer

Socket.dev; Scottsbluff (NE); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Western Sugar Cooperative in Scottsbluff, NE seeks a Process Engineer to support all technical processes in the factory, including the molasses de-sugarization facility. The role focuses on safety, process improvements, and collaboration with shift teams to optimize performance.

Bachelor’s degree in engineering and 3–5 years industrial process experience are preferred. Proficiency in SPC, Lean Sigma, and data analysis will help drive improvements and meet production targets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering required; Mechanical or Chemical Engineering preferred.
• 3–5 years of industrial process experience preferred but not required.
• Demonstrated improvements in safety, productivity, and quality.
• Excellent communication skills with all levels of staff, including hourly workforce and management.
• Willingness to learn Lean Sigma and Root Cause Analysis.
• Proficiency with Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel.

Responsibilities

• Be a safety leader with strong safety behaviors and leadership.
• Lead efforts with others to maintain a clean and safe production environment.
• Assist with technical problems requiring engineering expertise.
• Perform root cause analysis and implement preventive and corrective actions for process issues.
• Plan and direct shift processing personnel to optimize performance in sugar beet processing.
• Collaborate with shift supervisors to communicate process changes across shifts.
• Ensure staff are trained in process controls and assist operators with SPC.
• Compile data, trends, and reports to improve process, quality and throughput.
• Stay current on industry practices and technologies to improve processing.
• Operate with KPIs and continuous improvement to meet targets.
• Administer the collective bargaining agreement when needed and address grievances promptly.

Skills

Safety leadership

Root cause analysis

Process optimization

Statistical process control

Leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Mechanical or Chemical Engineering preferred

Tools

Excel

SPC tools

Job description

Title: Process Engineer

Location: Scottsbluff, NE

Position Overview

The Western Sugar Cooperative has an opportunity for a Process Engineer. This position will support all technical processes withing the factory including the molasses de-sugarization facility in Scottsbluff, NE.

Essential Functions

• Be a safety leader with solid safety behaviors and demonstrated leadership.


• Lead the effort with others to maintain a clean and safe production environment.


• Help and assist with all technical problems that require engineering.


• Help and assist with root cause analysis, preventive and corrective actions of all process related issues such as throughput limitations, mechanical downtime, quality variances etc. Use root cause analysis to permanently solve problems.


• Plan, organize and direct shift processing personnel in sugar beet processing to optimize performance.


• Work closely with shift supervisors in communicating process changes from shift to shift.


• Ensure employees are trained in process controls. Help and assist operators with statistical process control.


• Compile data, trends, and reports to help improve process, quality and throughput.


• Stay current on leading industry practices and technology for implementing new ways to improve processing.


• Operate processing at a high level of efficiency using Key Performance Indicators and a continuous improvement approach to hold yourself and your team accountable for achieving performance targets.


• When needed, hold people accountable by administering the collective bargaining agreement. Ensure employee grievances are addressed in a timely manner.

• Lead people effectively while modeling the Core Values of Safety, Integrity, Openness & Trust, Teamwork, Entrepreneurship, and Social Responsibility.

• This position requires you to spend time out in the different work areas engaging with employees to listen, troubleshoot and provide support for improving performance.

Skill & Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering required. Mechanical or Chemical Engineering preferred.


• 3-5 years of industrial process experience preferred but not required.


• Demonstrated experience with improvements in safety, productivity, and quality.


• Great communication skills working with all levels of staff, including hourly workforce and senior management.


• Willing to learn continuous improvement processes like Lean Sigma and Root Cause Analysis.


• Excellent computer competence (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel).


• Strong customer focus mind-set.


• Solid leadership skills, independent thinking, strong organizational and planning abilities and excellent analytical and problem-solving skills are essential.


• Friendly, results oriented, high level of energy and collaborative.

Travel Requirements

Less than 5%

It is the policy of The Western Sugar Cooperative not to discriminate against any employee or any applicant for employment because of age, race, religion, color, handicap, sex, physical condition, developmental disability, sexual orientation or national origin. This policy shall include, but not be limited to, the following: recruitment and employment, promotion, demotion, transfer, compensation, selection for training, layoff and termination.