Plant Operator

About the role

Poet is dedicated to being good stewards of the Earth by converting renewable resources into energy and other valuable goods. With over 30 years of innovation, we are the largest producer and marketer of bioethanol and a leader in sustainable products worldwide.

Responsibilities

• Operate all plant processing equipment and perform routine basic maintenance.
• Document maintenance activities and safely perform basic electrical troubleshooting.
• Follow procedures for plant start-up, shut-down, cleaning, and batching.
• Maintain accurate and timely logs.
• Collect and test quality control samples, interpret QA/QC results, and make adjustments to optimize plant operations.
• Assist in preventive and predictive maintenance on all equipment associated with plant processes.
• Help keep the plant clean by following the sanitation schedule and completing assigned tasks.
• Notify the management team of safety, environmental, quality, and production concerns, problems, and opportunities.
• Ensure the plant is safe by fostering a culture of safe behavior and environmental compliance.
• Maintain a team environment at all times and champion POET in the community.

Qualifications & Skills

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience requirements:
  • Plant Technician I: experience in a production environment preferred.
  • Plant Technician II: documented successful performance as a Plant Technician I or equivalent work experience required.
  • Plant Technician III: documented proficiency in the skills listed in the Plant Technician III Skills Checklist.
• Working knowledge in math, reading comprehension, and mechanical reasoning is required.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills are required.
• Experience with software systems, such as Maximo, is preferred.
• Excellent organizational, time management, and communication skills as well as the ability to embrace change.
• You have the ability to understand the technical and day-to-day operation of a bioprocessing facility.
• You know the basics of Microsoft Office Suite.
• You’re capable of learning new programs.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

• This position is exposed to work in multiple environments, including plant, laboratory, and office environments.
• You may be exposed to high noise levels, moving mechanical parts, dusty conditions, internal and external temperature/weather conditions, and chemicals.
• 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.
• The role has some physical requirements that our team members will need to be able to perform, such as wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), using equipment/tools like forklifts, power washers, and computers.
• Since the nature of the work involves working at extreme heights, confined spaces, and extreme temperatures, you must be able to use the mentioned equipment/tools.

Culture

Cultivating a culture where everyone works together towards common goals is at the heart of what we do at POET. We prioritize open communication, teamwork, and mutual respect. Our goal is to foster a work environment that promotes a healthy work-life balance, encourages personal and professional growth, and supports sustainability.

Growth & Development Opportunities

We believe in empowering our team members to reach their full potential. We offer a variety of internal development and growth opportunities, including career advancement paths, skill-building workshops, and mentorship programs. We also recognize and reward contributions that add value to the organization.

EEO Statement

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.