Shift Supervisor

POET; Jewell Junction (IA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive BONUS opportunities

40 hours PTO on Day 1

Health, dental & vision insurance

401K with company match

Paid Parental Leave

Tuition reimbursement

Relocation assistance

Safety gear reimbursements

Wellness program

Family-first culture

Onsite fitness centers

Job summary

POET in Jewell, IA is seeking a Shift Supervisor to oversee Plant Technicians and drive safe, efficient bioprocessing operations on a 12‑hour rotating shift schedule. The role emphasizes problem solving, data-driven decisions, and cross‑department collaboration to sustain high-quality end products.

The ideal candidate has supervisory experience in production, strong teamwork, and a commitment to safety and continuous improvement within a 24/7 facility.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Production or operational experience is required; leadership experience preferred.
• 3 years of supervisory/leadership experience preferred.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and ability to learn new programs.

Responsibilities

• Supervise plant operations on shift.
• Coordinate with maintenance and other departments to solve process problems.
• Ensure accurate daily documentation and data collection.
• Make decisions to shut down plant when necessary.
• Lead, coach, and develop team members for performance and safety.

Skills

High integrity

Interpersonal skills

Problem solving

Adaptability

Innovative mindset

Objectivity

Self-awareness

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Secondary education preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

ABOUT POET

At POET, it is our mission to be good stewards of the Earth by converting renewable resources to energy and other valuable goods as effectively as humanly possible. For over thirty years our drive and passion to change the world has enabled us to become the largest producer and marketer of bioethanol and a leader in sustainable products in the world.

BENEFITS & PERKS

• Eligible Team Members may receive $$ Competitive BONUS opportunities - up to SIX bonuses per year (Quarterly Profit Sharing & Value Share)
• Paid time off and paid holidays - 40 hours of PTO available on Day 1, on top of a biweekly PTO accrual program!
• Comprehensive benefits package; Individual and family plans for health, dental, & vision insurance, including a generous employer Health Savings Account contribution
• Competitive pay, including shift premium pay for qualifying positions
• 401K with company match
• Paid Parental Leave
• Tuition reimbursement
• Attractive Relocation Assistance and Bonus Programs for qualifying positions and/or locations
• Safety and cold weather gear reimbursements
• Discounted home and auto insurance
• All POET Team Members enjoy A multifaceted wellness program encompassing the whole person – mentally, physically, and spiritually
• 'Family-first' culture
• Onsite fitness centers or fitness reimbursements

JOB SUMMARY & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Shift Supervisor is responsible for the supervision of the Plant Technicians and for creating a positive work environment. Team members in this position strive for maximum efficiency in plant operations and support operations through problem solving, adaptation, and working with other departments to correct process problems. The Shift Supervisor plans, directs, and coordinates the operations of the bioprocessing facility by implementing changes as necessary. Team members in this position are also responsible for optimizing plant runtime as well as downtime while ensuring a quality end product. POET bioprocessing facilities operate on a 24-hour continuous schedule which requires Shift Supervisors to work a 12-hour shift schedule (including, nights, weekends, and holidays) alongside their assigned team. Team member must be available as needed. Schedule: Days 7:00 AM-7:00 PM & Nights 7:00 PM-7:00 AM (rotation every 6 weeks) - Includes weekends & holidays This is an on-site role located in Jewell, IA. Responsibilities include: Supervise plant operations on shift. Influence and support execution of plant maintenance as developed by the Maintenance Manager. Assure all daily documentation and required process information is completed in a timely and accurate manner. Make process decisions including shutting plant down if necessary. Contact the appropriate department manager with problems/concerns; call in additional team members if needed. Maintain and operate all processes associated with the plant including boilers, cooling towers, and water chemistry. Develop an understanding of repair and maintenance of plant equipment and may need to ensure documentation of all maintenance activities. Understand basic electrical troubleshooting. Strive for maximum efficiency in plant operations, trouble shoot and work with all departments to correct process problems. Learn and operate the DCS (computer control system) and other processes associated with the plant operations. Update SOP’s and train personnel for procedure changes and plant modifications. Respond to collected data and make adjustments to optimize plant operation. Do quality controls tests on product streams and make necessary adjustments. Perform or supervise the removal, installation, rebuilding, lubrication, and cleaning of all equipment associated with plant processes. Perform or supervise preventative and proactive maintenance tasks in a safe and efficient manner. Coordinate effective communication during shift exchange to ensure safe, efficient and continuous plant operation. Operate forklift as necessary. Monitor safe forklift operations on a regular basis. Assure all products manufactured meet established specifications. Assure compliance with all company, State and Federal regulatory agencies policies and rules; assist in implementing approved changes. Effectively lead the team by recruiting, selecting, orienting and training team members. Leadership responsibilities also include delegating, coaching, managing performance and career development to effectively execute departmental strategies and support company objectives. Foster a culture of safe behavior and environmental compliance at all times. Maintain a team environment at all times and champion POET in the community. Maintain and advance the food safety and quality of POET’s products and processes to deliver a best-in‑class culture of quality. Since we’re all about teamwork and getting the job done, your skills may be put to a lot of other uses!

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

High school diploma or equivalent required; secondary education preferred. Production or operational experience is required; operational background in ethanol production is preferred. 3 years of previous supervisory or leadership experience preferred. Knowledge of the basics of Microsoft Office Suite and the ability of learning new programs.

• High level of personal integrity
• Interpersonal skills – ability to effectively interact with individuals at all levels within/outside the organization
• Demonstrated problem-solving and critical thinking skills
• Ability to embrace and promote change
• Innovative mindset
• Ability to think objectively
• Self-awareness in the face of uncertainty
• Ability to work in a team environment

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORK ENVIRONMENT This role has some physical requirements that our team members will need to be able to perform, such as: Wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as hard hats, gloves, safety glasses, steel‑toed boots, self‑contained breathing system, hazardous material suit, hearing protection, and harness. Working at extreme heights (approximately 150 ft), in confined spaces, and in extreme temperatures from -20 to +100 degrees Fahrenheit, both indoors and outdoors. Be able to use the following equipment/tools, with training provided (not all encompassing): various hand tools, skid loader, scoop shovels, pipe wrenches, impact wrench, air hose, and shuttle wagon. Must also be able to operate machinery such as a payloader and Trackmobile for long periods of time Frequently: Be in awkward back, shoulder, wrists, and hand positions Bend forward while standing Reach overhead Pull up to 40lbs Kneel and crouch for up to 15 minutes at a time Occasionally: Pull up to 95lbs, with or without assistance Lift and carry up to 50lbs, with or without assistance Grip with a force of up to 80lbs Sit for 15 minutes on a stool, sometimes rotation sitting Pinch with a force of 20lbs Push up to 20lbs Since we are all about team work, you may be asked to help other roles that have their own unique set of physical requirements. Due to the physical and safety‑sensitive nature of this job, you will be subject to a physical and expected to pass a drug screen during the pre‑screen process. During employment, you’ll be subject to random drug and alcohol testing.

CULTURE IS KING AT POET

We’re all on the same team. We always communicate. And we park our egos at the door. These aren’t just slogans on our walls. It’s the way we do things at POET. We provide an environment for team members to maintain a healthy work‑life balance. It’s the best way to optimize health, wellness, and productivity in a sustainable way. We work hard. We play hard. We have frequent team events, volunteer efforts, and we know how to celebrate wins!

GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

At POET we encourage internal development and growth by allowing team members to carve their own path to success. Leaders support team members with the necessary resources to develop their skills, achieve goals, and create the most value. We believe in developing our team members to their highest potential and recognizing contributions that add value to the organization. Each new team member’s position and compensation are carefully determined by considering their unique qualifications and skillset. POET is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to maintaining a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, abilities, merit, and other legitimate business factors, without regard to any legally protected characteristic. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits, working conditions, promotion, and termination. Over the past 30 years of bioprocessing leadership, we've assembled the industry's strongest team of engineers, scientists, financial analysts and more. Along the way, we've carefully selected team members who share our core values and pride in everything we do. That's common sense—and it's led to some of the most creative bioprocessing work in the world. The people of POET make working here a challenging, exhilarating place to advance a career. They accomplish great things for millions of Americans and find great satisfaction in helping our country in so many ways.