Senior Progess Engineer

AgCertain; Ames (IA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

AgCertain in Ames, IA is seeking a Senior Process Engineer to provide operational leadership and ensure safe, GMP-compliant production. You will lead continuous improvement across glycerin and oil refining, manage training, scheduling, equipment reliability, and collaborate with design and maintenance teams to optimize throughput and product quality.

Your responsibilities include leading safety initiatives, analyzing production data, developing reporting tools, and driving cost reductions while

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering required.
• MBA preferred for advancement or leadership roles.

Responsibilities

• Lead safety committee and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Analyze downtime, cycle times, and process data to identify trends and bottlenecks.
• Design and maintain reporting tools for throughput, quality, safety, and cost.
• Lead plant-wide continuous improvement initiatives.
• Coordinate with design, engineering, and manufacturing to meet product design requirements.
• Develop and implement training and SOPs for production processes.
• Support commissioning and qualification activities (IQ/OQ/PQ).
• Draft and revise controlled documents (SOPs, work instructions).

Skills

Leadership

Safety leadership

GMP knowledge

Training & development

Process improvement

Data analysis

Project management

Written procedures

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

MBA preferred

Job description

The Senior Process Engineer is responsible for providing operational leadership to ensure commercial execution. This role is accountable for the safe fulfillment of production needs in accordance to GMP policies and plant SOPs. Additionally, they are responsible for the leadership, training and development, scheduling, inventory management, process system and equipment reliability within production areas.Responsibilities and Duties:Operate safely and appropriately in all AgCertain situations and environmentsLead safety committee to ensure all operations comply with applicable safety regulations consistentlyGain and utilize complete understanding of glycerin, oil refining process, water recovery and reuse system in order to lead continuous improvement activitiesBe a qualified trainer of employees for proper performance of production processes based on SOPsAnalyze production equipment downtown, cycle time, and process data across AgCertain manufacturing facilities to identify trends, bottlenecks, and root causesDesign, build, and maintain reporting tools that give visibility into throughput, quality, safety, and cost performanceLead critical company initiatives that have high visibility with leadership; provide direction and structured accountability to teams on various projectsBe involved in the complete design and execution of processes and construction projects used in the manufacturing processAct as a liaison between design, engineering, and manufacturingCoordinate manufacturing abilities with engineering specifications, requests, and product design requirementsHave a thorough understanding of and be able to apply Occupational Safety and Good Manufacturing Practices to procedures within the plant/understand how they affect the production processFollow all written procedures (SOPs) and work instructions that pertain to the respective area, including the production of glycerin, and reusable water, maintenance of equipment, and sanitation of equipment/production areasComplete all required documentation accurately and in a timely mannerAssist with writing and revising controlled documents such as SOPs, work instructions, and associated formsIdentify and lead continuous improvement initiatives while implementing new solutions and streamlining workflows to boost efficiency and reduce costsApply engineering principles to troubleshoot deficiencies, reduce waste, improve production efficiency, and improve product qualityManage and coordinate Management of Change projects for the plant including completion and delegation of process information updates, SOP creation or updates, operator training, process control updates, equipment design updates, etc.Support commissioning efforts through Installation Qualification, Operational Qualification, and Process Qualification stagesDevelop an in-depth understanding of assigned utility system(s) to create a system overview training document, perform as built changes to drawings, create LOTO procedure(s) and create preventative maintenance and reliability strategy documents or proceduresBe an active member of the Crisis Management Team, Recall Team, and Food Safety Team with a working understanding of the food safety and quality systems (HACCP, GMP, and SQF) to ensure product qualityParticipate in all company trainingsPerform additional duties as assignedA Bachelor’s degree in an Engineering field; Master of Business Administration (MBA) preferredMinimum five (5) years industry experience within a technical rolePrior experience in a biodiesel, ethanol, food processing plant or manufacturing facility preferredPhysical abilities to include the ability to lift 50 lbs (23 Kg), able to climb several flights of stairs and not affected by heightsProven leadership skills and experience managing a teamPossess a mechanical aptitude for operation and maintaining pumps, motors, valves, heat exchangers, heaters and other processing equipmentMust be able to operate heavy equipment (electric forklift, diesel telehandler forklift, etc.) once trainedExcellent communication, organizational, management, and computer skillsAbility to interact professionally and effectively with internal and external customersAct with humility, honesty, integrity, and a commitment to safetyAbide by Good Manufacturing Practices in all areas of the facility