Stevia Plant Operator-3

Tate & Lyle•Decatur, IL

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Stevia Plant Operator sets up, operates, and troubleshoots Stevia processes and maintains manufacturing equipment at the Decatur Stevia Plant. The role operates process equipment and performs tasks needed to produce natural high-intensity sweetener products from natural ingredients. The operator learns unit operations involving material handling, reactions, filtration systems, spray drying, and packaging. Safety, food safety, environmental, quality, and security expectations are central to the role. The operator follows applicable EHSQS policies, procedures, regulations, site rules, and food-safety requirements; reports incidents, defects, hazards, and near misses; and intervenes when unsafe conditions arise. The role also supports production, reliability, and plant goals through sanitation, production documentation, sampling and testing, monitoring process runs, troubleshooting equipment, and participation in audits and reviews of operating and safety procedures. The position requires physical activity including climbing stairs and ladders, bending, lifting, pushing, pulling, sitting, and standing for 12-hour shifts. The operator reports to the Stevia Plant Manager and works closely with the EHSQ Manager, Operations Specialist, Process Engineer, Electrical and Instrumentation Technician, and contractors. The stated starting wage is $27.50 per hour.

Requirements

Be self-motivated and a team player.
Have verbal and written communication skills.
Carry out the physical activities required for the position, including climbing stairs and ladders, bending, lifting, pushing, pulling, sitting, and standing during 12-hour shifts.
Comply with applicable EHSQS procedures, policies, regulations, site rules, and food-safety requirements.

Nice To Haves

Practical hands-on equipment experience.
Manufacturing experience.
Demonstrated mechanical aptitude.
Ability to learn and identify needed improvements.

Responsibilities

Place safety and food safety as the highest priority in the workplace.
Set up, operate, and troubleshoot Stevia processes and maintain manufacturing equipment.
Operate process equipment and perform tasks necessary to produce natural high-intensity sweetener products from natural ingredients.
Learn unit operations in material handling, reactions, filtration systems, spray drying, and packaging.
Complete sanitation tasks according to master sanitation programs.
Participate in EHSQS audits, OSHA-style compliance audits, and EHSQS safety communications.
Maintain production-run records, including runsheets, HACCP forms, and sanitation forms.
Take samples and perform analytical tests when needed.
Monitor and observe production runs, reporting deviations or trends.
Troubleshoot operating equipment problems and relay relevant information to appropriate personnel.
Participate in reviews of safety and operating standard operating procedures, Job Risk Analyses, Pre-Startup Inspections, and work permits.
Follow food-safety, legal, quality, environmental, and health and safety requirements; report incidents, defects, hazards, inadequacies in procedures, and near misses.
Support the safety program, including participating in audits and preventing unsafe conditions.