Plant Process Engineer

A leader in the Biostimulant industry, Horizon Ag Products began manufacturing soluble humus products for Agriculture in 1983. Based in Lakewood, CO, we are a recognized leader in our industry. With 140 employees, we operate seven manufacturing plants in seven states and several surface mines. We strongly believe our products are of significant benefit to mankind and we make them better than anyone else in the world. We support a lifestyle of balanced priorities where everyone works hard and enjoys themselves and each other. We look out for one another and cherish the caring attitude and respect we have for one another in the workplace and beyond. Above all else, we conduct ourselves with integrity and follow the guiding principles outlined on our website, www.horizonag.com.

This position is responsible for providing plant process engineering support to all production plants. This position’s primary responsibilities are to support business growth and improve plant productivity through processes such as asset preservation, growth, expansion, cost reduction, introduction of new products and processes, and safety initiatives for both near-term and long-term planning. The position will utilize technical skills in troubleshooting efforts and general plant support of production processes and delivery systems. The operations include but are not limited to the following processes: liquid and solid unit operations, crushing, screening, material handling, pneumatic conveying, pumping, drying, separating, dust collecting, and packaging. Overall responsibilities include project management related to equipment and process engineering, continual process improvement and preventive maintenance of equipment, troubleshooting of equipment and processes, and ensuring operations at all assigned sites meet production, safety, and quality goals in a cost-effective manner, on a monthly and yearly basis.

• Planning, designing, commissioning and startup of new processes defined by the executive team.
  
• Managing expense and capital-based projects at the site, from conceptual design through basic engineering. This includes estimating project costs including construction costs by providing detailed scopes of work containing equipment sizing and specifications, piping design, pump and tank sizing, materials of construction, control strategies, interlock development, P&ID�s, procedures, commissioning, and startup to include providing technical direction.
  
• Understanding plant capacity constraints and identifying projects to streamline and remove bottlenecks to increase productivity.
  
• Providing day-to-day process engineering and technical support to plant operations including troubleshooting and providing technical direction to operators and maintenance technicians as well as others, as necessary.
  
• Managing all interactions with internal and external stakeholders including but not limited to other engineers (Automation Engineers, Engineering Manager, Project Engineers, corporate and site leadership, operations, contractors)
  
• Understanding KPI�s, Scorecards and Visual Management Processes and using that information to upgrade plants and procedures to better meet our customers� needs.
  
• Overseeing Continuous Improvement (CI) projects through proper change management procedures.
  
• Managing outside contractors in all construction/improvement projects.
  
• Ensuring sites are in regulatory compliance with all local, state, and federal laws including Environmental and Occupational and Mining Safety & Health Administration (OSHA & MSHA).
  
• Ensuring all projects and work are implemented and completed safely, by training others, and supporting safety policies and safe work practices.
  

• Education: BS or MS degree in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering with > 10 years of experience in a process engineering role supporting agricultural or chemical operations.
  
• Proficient in leading and executing projects including new builds and commissioning and startup (CSU) with strong project management skills.
  
• Detailed knowledge of equipment and piping design, sizing, and specifications for liquid and solid handling operations.
  
• Ability to demonstrate examples of success in process improvement and debottlenecking.
  
• Problem solver with ability to create solutions to the challenges within in a mid-sized, growing manufacturing environment.
  
• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time to other Horizon Ag-Products locations.
  
• Strong computer skills and experience with AutoCAD or similar program, Microsoft office and the ability to perform work utilizing a computer for extended periods of time.
  
• Strong planning, organizational, teamwork and interpersonal skills
  
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate to site personnel and key stakeholders clearly and effectively.
  
• Ability to apply fundamental engineering and business principles.
  
• Comfort working in a plant environment and on teams comprised of operations, maintenance, engineering, quality, safety, and planning and working directly on the plant floor.
  
• Ability to work independently with a high level of initiative and self-starting skills.
  
• Capable of managing a heavy workload, establishing, and adjusting priorities as dictated by site and business needs.
  
• Experience with automation and control systems, historian, trends, and data analysis.
  
• Continuous Improvement, Lean or Six Sigma Manufacturing experience.