Production Area Manager (Helm, CA)

The J.R. Simplot Company is a diverse, privately held global food and agriculture company headquartered in Boise, Idaho. We are a true farm-to-table company with an integrated portfolio including food processing and food brands, phosphate mining, fertilizer manufacturing, farming, ranching and cattle production, and other enterprises related to agriculture.

Summary

The Production Area Manager directs the activities of assigned hourly Production employees to ensure quality manufacturing practices, production efficiency, product quality, and consistency.  This individual manages projects and performs engineering duties to research, analyze, plan, design, install and/or implement production process and equipment improvements. This position has the responsibility to ensure process and mechanical solutions, project personnel, and Production hourly employees are fully compliant with applicable EHS&S Regulations. The Production Area Manager drives the continuous improvement process and provides leadership in the following plants/areas on a rotational basis: Nitric Acid, Liquid Ammonium Phosphate (10-34-0), Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN-17), Loading, Security, and additional areas as assigned.

Key Responsibilities

• Applies effective methods of directing, coaching, training, and mentoring hourly employees to ensure that production goals and objectives are achieved.  Responsible for scheduling staff, maintaining attendance and production records.  Holds all staff accountable for adhering to Departmental and Company standards.
• Interfaces with hourly employees on a regular basis and addresses performance issues of assigned employees in collaboration with the Plant Manager.
• Collaborates with management to determine process and equipment needs, evaluates and implements projects; researches and analyzes design proposals, specifications, vendor manuals and other data to evaluate the process feasibility, cost, and maintenance requirements of equipment.
• Specifies system components or directs modification of equipment to ensure conformance with sound engineering design practices and performance specifications.  Designs, develops, and tests mechanical components, equipment, and machinery.
• Applies engineering principles for process and mechanical projects to research, specify, oversee procurement of, troubleshoot, repair, and install equipment including, but not limited to pumps, compressors, tanks, heat/process exchangers, pressure vessels, pressure relief systems, piping/valves, instruments, controls, software, etc.
• Oversees and directs the development and production of project/process drawings utilizing electronic systems and maintains current hard copies at the plant site. Distributes drawings as appropriate for project bid packages and operational requirements. Ensures drawings are updated to reflect current process and equipment information and produces final ‘as built’ drawings at the conclusion of projects.
• Responsible for critical components of compliance with Process Safety Management (PSM) and Risk Management Planning (RMP) including but not limited to: Process Safety Information, Process Hazard Analysis, Operating Procedures, Employee Training related to equipment and process changes, Contractor vendors, Pre-Start Up Safety Reviews (PSSR), Management of Change (MOC), Mechanical Integrity of process equipment, Incident Investigations, Emergency Response and Compliance Audit participation.
• Conducts root-cause analysis of equipment failures. Investigates equipment failures and difficulties to diagnose faulty operation, and to recommend design modifications to eliminate machine or system malfunctions.
• Researches new technologies to determine if viable for plant operations.  Develops and tests models of alternate designs and processing methods to assess feasibility, operating condition effects, possible new applications, and necessity of modification.

Typical Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering from a four-year college or university; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license a plus.

Relevant Experience

• 5+ years related experience and / or training in a manufacturing or chemical plant environment required.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership skills; Exhibits confidence in self and others; Inspir