Pilot Plant Specialist
About The Position
Cargill is committed to providing food and agricultural solutions to nourish the world in a safe, responsible, and sustainable way. Sitting at the heart of the supply chain, we partner with farmers and customers to source, make and deliver products that are vital for living. Our 155,000 team members innovate with purpose, providing customers with life’s essentials so businesses can grow, communities prosper, and consumers live well. With over 160 years of experience as a family company, we look ahead while remaining true to our values. We put people first. We reach higher. We do the right thing—today and for generations to come. Job Purpose and Impact The Pilot Plant Specialist will support operations within the Crop Innovation Center oil processing pilot lab. In this role, you will execute pilot-scale projects supporting research discovery, process development, and product innovation in oil seed processing and oil manufacturing. You will collaborate with engineering, process development, and product teams to optimize equipment performance, process safety, product quality, and scalability to commercial operations.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent hands-on manufacturing experience
Nice To Haves
- Experience in oil seed processing, edible oil manufacturing, or related food/industrial operations
- Mechanical aptitude with industrial or pilot-scale equipment
- Forklift Driver Certification
- Familiarity with LOTO, GMPs, HACCP concepts, and food safety practices
- Experience in pilot plant or process development environments
- One or more years of related work experience
- Strong communication and documentation skills
Responsibilities
- Operate and maintain pilot-scale oil seed processing equipment, including seed handling, preparation, pressing/crushing, solvent extraction, and refining systems.
- Support safe operation of mechanical, electrical, and process control systems, including troubleshooting routine equipment and process issues.
- Assist with bulk material handling, including receiving, staging, loading, and disposal of raw materials and byproducts.
- Monitor and operate process instrumentation (e.g., temperature, pressure, flow, mass) and document process data, samples, and operating conditions.
- Follow and promote food manufacturing standards, including GMPs, sanitation practices, and food safety programs.
- Adhere to occupational, process, and environmental safety requirements (e.g., lockout/tagout, chemical handling, hazard communication).
- Handle basic issues and problems under direct supervision, while escalating more complex issues to appropriate staff.
- Other duties as assigned
Benefits
- medical and/or other benefits dependent on the position offered and hours worked
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
