Pilot Plant Technician

We're hiring! Kemin is seeking a Pilot Plant Operator to join our team in Des Moines. This position operates equipment to produce Kemin Nutrisurance products while meeting performance and quality standards. Duties include preparing ingredients, blending materials, running manufacturing equipment, packaging products, and handling shipping and receiving. Employees must follow procedures carefully to ensure product quality and workplace safety. Located at the Des Moines Campus, hours are Monday–Friday, 8:00am–4:15PM.

Join the Kemin Team and Transform Lives!

We are a privately held, family-owned-and-operated global biotechnology company driven by curiosity and committed to transforming the quality of life for people, pets, and the planet. 

We create solutions that strengthen health and wellbeing, provide nutrition and immune support for pets and production animals, safeguard the planet’s natural resources, and protect the global food supply chain for generations to come.

We supply over 500 specialty ingredients for various industries, including human and animal health and nutrition, pet food, aquaculture, nutraceutical, food technologies, crop technologies, textiles, biofuels, and animal vaccines.

We employ 3,500 global employees and operations in 90 countries, including manufacturing facilities in Belgium, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Italy, San Marino, Singapore, South Africa, and the United States.

As a valued member of our team, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your financial, physical, and professional well-being:

• Competitive Financial Package: Enjoy a rewarding salary, uncapped bonus opportunities, a 401k match program, and generous paid vacation and holidays.
• Health and Wellness Support: Stay fit and healthy with our fitness reimbursement for the whole family, access to an on-site fitness center, a restaurant offering seasonal fresh food options, and free fresh fruit in break areas.
• Career Development and Advancement: Unlock your potential with opportunities for growth and development throughout your entire career.
• Continued Learning Opportunities: Grow your skills with our in-house learning platforms, offering thousands of training resources both live and online, and take advantage of tuition reimbursement for external post-secondary pursuits.
• Service Opportunities: Make a positive impact with paid time off for service, partnerships with The World Food Programme and Habitat for Humanity, and local community initiatives.

• Responsible for being the subject matter expert in process area.  
• Operate equipment and processes in multiple areas/departments. 
• Demonstrate job tasks and provide feedback as needed. 

• Assemble and process raw materials for production of finished product per manufacturing order. 
• May package and label finished products.  
• Assist in preparation for shipping, as applicable. 
• Operate and monitor assigned equipment by following established written operations and safety procedures.  
• Follow manufacturing orders and entering data for batch records and inventory control via computer system. 

• Responsible for routine area/equipment, cleaning/sanitation, and notifying maintenance of equipment issues. 
• Pull and send incoming raw material samples to Quality. 
• Visually inspect raw material for obvious damage or defect.   
• Assure order meets receiving order documentation.   
• Complete in-process and finished product sampling per SOP’s 

• Follow all GMP required procedures and practices. 
• Follow Master Sanitation schedule, per instructed.  
• Assist Supervisor with on the job training and provide feedback. 
• Assist with providing proactive recommendations for equipment maintenance and process improvements. 
• Follows and maintains an environment of food and feed safety in compliance with rules and regulations, as applicable. 

• Education and Experience:
  • High School diploma, or equivalent, with 0-3 years of applicable experience
• Work with other departments such as Quality, Auditing, Maintenance, Inventory, and Research and Development. 
• Perform rework when needed.
• Time management and prioritizing skills are needed. 
• Good math skills and ability to accurately measure/weigh. 
• Must be able to learn and use PC/PLC equipment. 
• Ability to key/enter data into computer system. 
• Detailed-oriented. 
• Excellent communication skills. 
• Mechanical aptitude. 
• Must be reliable and have good attendance. 
• Ability to read and follow Standard Operating Procedures, solves basic problems, and utilize cognitive reasoning and ability to use formulas to calculate proper mixtures. 
• Ability to use hand tools for normal preventative equipment maintenance and cleaning. 
• Must be able to see, read and write.  

A post-offer background check and drug screen is required.  Additional pre-employment requirements may be necessary based on position.

Kemin is an equal opportunity employer, and all reasonable accommodations will be considered.

Kemin is a drug-free and tobacco-free campus. 

#LI-MN1