Plant Production Engineer

Roquette is a family-owned global leader in plant-based ingredients, a pioneer of plant proteins and a leading provider of pharmaceutical excipients.

What makes us proud?

Using plant-based resources, we collaborate with our customers and partners to imagine and offer ingredients to better feed people and treat patients.

Each of our ingredients responds to unique and essential needs, and they enable healthier lifestyles.

Location: Keokuk, IA

Schedule: Monday – Friday (7/8am – 4/5pm) with occasional minimal nights and weekends 7AM– 4PM is also acceptable. There is a rotating on-call list, but they would not be on it until fully trained in the position.

Position Overview
The Production Engineer acts as a resource to Operations by applying technical skills, such as optimizing plant processes, troubleshooting department chemical and mechanical complications, and facilitating the safe and efficient production of low cost, quality products with environmental impacts in mind. This role assists daily with department operations and process optimization, as well as occasionally working with other intercompany groups on larger scale items.

Essential Functions

• Accountable to all Roquette & site policies and procedures relating to HSE, Quality, GMP etc.

• Responsible for compliance and participation in all HSE programs

• Lead and/or participate in project initiatives to improve the safety, quality, reliability, efficiency, and continuous improvement of plant operations

• Support and align with site objectives

• Implements best practices in order to optimize operations

• Works with Production Supervisors and Process Control Engineers to ensure process control is optimized in the facility

• Coordinates and supervises project implementation, controls project costs, monitors progress and quality of projects

• Leads and/or assists with process changes through MOC development and maintenance of standard operating procedures

• Leads activities and participates in project initiatives to improve the reliability, efficiency, and continuous improvement of plant operations by applying Six Sigma Methodology and technical support to projects as needed 

• Responsible for departmental OEE tracking

• Leads and/or assists with coordination of plant shutdowns, including coordination of plant personnel tasks, hiring contractors, and ensuring all necessary materials/equipment are obtained

• Networks with other engineers on site and within the business to leverage knowledge on plant operations 

• Complete various laboratory analyses regarding enzymes, resin, and process samples

• Perform miscellaneous duties as assigned

Required Competencies, Education and Experience

• BS Biochemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering

• New graduates accepted, 3+ years of experience preferred

• Experience in Corn Wet Milling / Ethanol Production / Paper Industry / Chemical Industry / Hydrogenation / Separation / Crystallization / Ion Exchange / Evaporation experience desired

• Works with minimal supervision, self-starter

• Ability to consistently deliver top quality work and meet agreed upon timelines

• Demonstrated strong technical skills and personal drive in continuous process for improvement and cost optimization

• Demonstrated complex operational problem-solving and troubleshooting experience

• Demonstrated strong organizational skills, multi-tasking abilities, and self-motivation

• Demonstrated interpersonal skills with the ability to work directly with engineers, managers, hourly employees and cross-functional teams

• Demonstrated strong organizational skills, multi-tasking abilities, and self-motivation

• Experience with OEE & SPC recommended

• Green belt and Black belt certification not required, but preferred

• Experience with PSM element implementation, compliance and auditing preferred

If you identify yourself in this position, please apply by uploading your resume and let's start the journey together !

Roquette is proud to be a global company where you can find personal and professional growth through multiple diverse experiences. 

Roquette believes Diversity, Equity and Inclusion must be woven into everything we do, from the products we make, through the relationships we build with our partners, and most importantly within the teams we create and how we interact together.

As we continue to grow, Roquette understands that to be successful we must always be inclusive in our approac