Process Engineer

Quikrete Heavy Construction Materials•Buffalo, IA

21d•Onsite

About The Position

Quikrete Heavy Construction Materials is seeking a Process Engineer in Buffalo, Iowa. The role leads plant discussions and investigations to improve throughput, efficiency, quality, and environmental performance through data analysis, field measurements, and employee conversations. The Process Engineer diagnoses operational issues, develops solutions, supports sustainable operations and community standing, and upholds company policies, safety standards, and applicable regulations. The position provides technical support to production, quality, and environmental functions; supports plant safety activities; evaluates operations through audits and systematic approaches; and helps implement equipment and procedural changes, including training plant personnel. It coordinates process improvements and promotes technical capability across plant operations, while monitoring KPIs and collaborating with quality, production, maintenance, operators, supervisors, managers, and corporate engineers. The Process Engineer analyzes process records and prepares daily reports using IP21 and other process tools; audits raw-mill, pyro-processing, and finish-grinding operations; investigates process incidents and quality results; and recommends and validates corrective actions. The role also supports capital projects, equipment specifications, process and manufacturing improvement proposals, standard operating procedures, equipment capability records, and the adoption of new process ideas and technologies. The role identifies environmental constraints and permit impacts from process, fuel, or raw-material changes; maintains compliance with MSHA and environmental requirements; and assists the Environmental Manager with plant matters such as PSD, SWPPP, and MACT through record keeping, instrument maintenance, and testing. This is described as a developmental position providing broad exposure to cement plant operations, with potential advancement opportunities into managerial positions for successful incumbents. Other duties may be assigned as necessary.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in chemical, electrical, or mechanical engineering.
High integrity and commitment to complying with applicable federal, state, and industry requirements, regulations, and standards.
Self-starter with strategic thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills, and ability to work in a fast-paced, evolving business.
Excellent communication and presentation skills, including ability to convey complex financial information to non-finance stakeholders.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate verbally and in writing, build rapport across functions and operating units, and influence at all organizational levels.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suites and accurate data-entry skills.
Must be available to report to the designated work site or office and begin work as scheduled in a 24/7 operation.
Must pass pre-employment screening, which may include a physical, background check, and drug screen.

Responsibilities

Contribute positively to plant safety activities and initiatives.
Provide technical support to production, quality, and environmental functions.
Help the plant meet company and plant objectives by applying strategies, priorities, and optimization techniques.
Evaluate operations, processes, and trends using audits and systematic approaches.
Support implementation of equipment and procedures, including training plant personnel as required.
Coach and mentor other departments and help improve the plant’s technical capabilities.
Monitor KPIs and highlight trends and opportunities for improvement.
Initiate process optimization with quality, production, and maintenance to improve equipment utilization and elevate technical knowledge and practices across plant operations.
Ensure compliance with internal controls and communicate operational problems, deviations from standards, and policy or legal violations.
Review equipment operating set points and practices in raw mix preparation, kiln operation, and finish grinding; monitor quality results and diagnose process incidents and root causes.
Analyze process records and create daily reports using IP21 and other process tools.
Organize and conduct audits of raw mill, pyro processing, and finish grinding; identify deviations and propose or validate corrective actions.
Coordinate with vendors, contractors, and engineering firms on capital project engineering and technical support; help determine equipment specifications for improvement and expansion projects.
Develop process and manufacturing improvement proposals.
Establish, monitor, and maintain standard operating procedures to address typical process and system problems.
Identify environmental constraints and impacts on operating permits associated with process, fuel, or raw-material changes.
Maintain a database of baseline capabilities for current equipment and processes.
Promote new process ideas and technologies and coordinate process-related plant activities.
Maintain compliance with MSHA and environmental laws and regulations.
Assist the Environmental Manager with plant issues such as PSD, SWPPP, and MACT through record keeping, instrument maintenance, and testing.
Collaborate with control room operators, shift supervisors, managers, and corporate engineers to analyze problems and improve operations.
Perform other duties as assigned.