TECHNICAL SERVICES MANAGER

Spreckels Sugar® Company, a subsidiary of Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative, is the producer of Spreckels Sugar products. The Spreckels Sugar® labels are primarily marketed in the western half of the United States. Spreckels Sugar operates one beet sugar factory located in Brawley, California, and a beet seed processor located in Sheridan, Wyoming. With quality and customer service a number one priority, Spreckels has been supplying sugar products to consumers and customers for over 100 years

TECHNICAL SERVICES MANAGER

POSITION SUMMARY: The purpose of the Technical Services Manager is to plan, direct, and provide technical assistance and data analysis to meet the company’s needs.  The TSM helps the company reach its mission by (1) conducting research to support operations (factory, waste water, and environmental), and (2) overseeing laboratory analysis to identify trends as well offer work procedure alternatives to maximize productivity and mitigate expenditures (3) assist with quality assurance programs.

 REPORTS TO: District Manager

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Technical Guidance and Expertise

• Explores and evaluates research and development proposals for planning and production activities as well as environmental studies, projects and permit applications; estimates project costs and potential savings; identifies alternative routes and potential pitfalls with proposals
• Assists management with scientific and technical goal setting; creates plans to evaluate and measures goals; analyzes data and reports findings
• Recommends modifications to eliminate or reduce system malfunctions and human errors
• Conducts research to test and analyze the feasibility, design, operation and performance of current and future chemical and technical processes
• Directs, reviews and approves project design and project design changes
• Develops, determines and implements policies, procedures and programs to meet company needs while meeting compliance requirements; ensures projects and proposed changes adhere to safety, quality assurance and environmental restrictions and guidelines
• Facilitates a work environment that supports a safe and healthy culture
• Provides subject matter expertise
• Contributes to the formulation of annual operating and capital budget
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Laboratory and Audit Activities

• Reviews documentation of all activities to ensure compliance to the process; writes, implements, and reviews Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), programs, and specifications; implements protocol
• Records the production output; analyzes data and constructs daily operation reports, which includes inventories on items such as: thick juice tanks, molasses, and extraction
• Coordinates, prioritizes, and plans lab tasks to meet deadlines
• Models production scenarios to forecast expected production and reach maximum optimization; suggests improvements for test procedures to achieve project objectives
• Monitors, inspects and maintains laboratory instruments to ensure proper working order
• Develops, improves, or customizes products, equipment, formulas, processes, or analytical methods
• Ensures final product and coproducts (pellets, molasses, separator molasses solubles, and raffinate) meet quality and customer specifications through data review and quality control audits
• Works with Quality Assurance Manager (QAM) to investigate customer issues and complaints; produce corrective action procedures to reduce and/or eliminate future risk
• Serves as back up to conduct new hire orientation and assist auditors as needed
• Ensures materials and chemicals are properly labeled and documented via Safety Data Sheets (SDS) to meet Global Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, and participating in professional societies; share relevant information to affected employees and customers

Employee Management

• Trains and supervises lab personnel; assigns projects
• Coaches, develops, and monitors employee progression; assists with goal setting; and sets employment expectations through employee accountability

Core Competencies and Skill Requirements:

• Broad understanding of technical and chemical concepts
  • Knowledge of mathematical concepts including algebra, geometry, statistics and calculus
  • Knowledge of chemical concepts including chemical composition, structure and properties of substances and the chemical processes and transformations they undergo
  • Knowledge of the practical application of science, including applying principles, techniques, and procedures to the design, research and development of sugar production activities
  • Knowledge of Excel and statistical analysis.
• Demonstrated critical thinking skills
  • Ability to gather information by observing, receiving and obtaining information from relevant sources
  • Ability to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems
  • Ability to read, understand and interpret information and ideas presented through written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Ability to develop constructive and cooperative working relationships with internal and external audiences and maintain these relationships over time to advance the overall public image of the Company
  • Ability to document information in a logical, sequential manner
  • Ability to communicate with a variety of audiences with diverse backgrounds using oral and written communication as well as individual and group formats, including presentations to train and guide technicians and professionals
• Commitment to safety
  • Ability to work in a responsible, safe manner by adhering to the Company’s safety and housekeeping protocol

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Statistics or related field.
• Three to five years’ experience analyzing data and providing trend analysis
• Proficient in Microsoft Office
• SQF and PCQI certifications preferred