Assistant Refinery Manager

Louis Dreyfus Company is a leading merchant and processor of agricultural goods. Our activities span the entire value chain from farm to fork, across a broad range of business lines, we leverage our global reach and extensive asset network to serve our customers and consumers around the world. Structured as a matrix organization of six geographical regions and ten platforms, Louis Dreyfus Company is active in over 100 countries and employs approximately 18,000 people globally.

Overall Purpose and Objective of Position

This position assists in the management of the refining and packaging process of a soybean crushing and refining plant.  Primary function is to ensure that the operation is completed in a safe and efficient manner in compliance with government regulations and Company standards.

Primary Responsibilities/Essential Functions

• Completes regular checks of refinery and packaging staff and equipment to ensure that standard operating procedures are followed and Company standards are met

• Maintains proper coverage by managing the refinery and packaging staffing schedule

• Manages engineering projects effectively

• Maintains inventory of supplies to ensure efficient refining and packaging operations

• Makes improvements to the refining process as necessary to maximize efficiency, increase product quality and/or lower costs

• Responds to operational issues or alarms and leads investigations and troubleshoots for resolution as necessary
• Collects, records and analyzes data to optimize efficiencies and product quality
• Serves as the liaison between the Refinery Manager and the refinery and packaging staff

• Notifies the Refinery Manager of potential safety hazards, equipment failures, operational inconsistencies and employee incidents
• Reports any equipment issues to maintenance staff
• Maintains good working knowledge of SHE policies, rules and procedures applicable to area of responsibility and ensures all applicable requirements are adhered to
• Ensures employees are provided required training for area and jobs and tasks prior to assigning work.  Ensures area of responsibility is maintained in orderly and safe manner. 
• Promptly reports unsafe working conditions to management and communicates potential hazards to affected employees. 
• Promptly reports all incidents to management and conducts incident investigation as soon as practicable; no later than 24 hours from time of incident
• Participate in preparing and managing the budget for the Refinery operation, including capital expenses
• Serves as coach of the Refinery and Packaging areas by encouraging team participation in maintaining a clean and organized workspace. Provide an injury-free work environment for employees, staff, contractors, visitors through engagement, JHAs, training programs, good maintenance practices, LDC standards/policies, and proactive elimination of exposures. Maintain and improve housekeeping in all areas. Implement and maintain 5S practices in the workplace. Conduct regular audits to ensure compliance with 5S standards
• Promote a culture of continuous learning and improvement. Establish group and individual accountabilities throughout all the employees at Refining/Packaging area for safety leadership, problem solving and cost reduction. Facilitate team meetings to brainstorm and implement improvement ideas. Monitor progress and measure the impact of improvement initiatives

Additional Responsibilities

• Serves as back-up to manage the Utilities and Packaging operations to meet facility needs and production goals
• Delivers job-related training to staff to increase efficiency and safety

• Coaches staff on the Company’s performance expectations and provides ongoing performance feedback
• Accepts/carries out/completes other duties as assigned

Company Conformance Statements

In the performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees are expected to conform to the following:

• Perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision.
• Interact professionally with co-workers, Company business associates and the general public.
• Work together in a cooperative spirit to serve the best interests of the Company.
• Operate in a fully responsible manner and comply with the law and Company policy.

Education/Professional Certifications/Licenses

Basic qualifications: 

• BS degree in Engineering or Technical Science and/or equivalent work experience

Experience

Basic qualification:

• Proven track record of successfully implementing effective production processes
• 3 years of supervisory/management experience in an industrial setting, preferably in the seed oil industry

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities (including any physical demands)

Basic qualifications:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency with spreadsheet and word processing software (e.g., Excel and MS Word).
• Ability to climb stairs, use ladders, work at heights, enter confined spaces, withstand extended periods of walking and standing, crawling, and bending. 
• Ability to move manufacturing materials and products of 50 pounds or more
• Ability to drive processes for results
• Effective Leadership skills.
• Valid driver’s license

Preferred qualifications: 

• • General knowledge of soybean or other seed processing operations
• Knowledge of Process Safety Management
• Knowledge of ISO 9000
• Knowledge of the regulatory requirements the facility operates under (e.g., OSHA, EPA, USDA, NFPA)

Equipment Used

• Typical office equipment: PC, telephone, fax machine, copy machine.
• Production machinery and operating equipment used in the refining and packaging process

Working Conditions

• Interior office work is in a typical climate-controlled office environment.  Frequent visits to industrial operations areas are necessary with exposure to variety of temperatures and prevailing weather conditions.  Regular exposure to gases, vapors, dust, odors and flammable liquids.  Occasional exposure to areas with wet floors and high volume of noise.  Some stair climbing and heaving lifting is required.  Work is sometimes above ground level.  Extensions of regular working hours are occasionally necessary to complete time-sensitive projects or to respond to emergencies.  Personal protective equipment (PPE) shall be worn as required.

Employee Supervision

• This position supervises a team of salary and hourly personnel. Has the authority to recommend hiring, firing, & discipline of employees as well as supervise, manage, & direct work.
• Approve time and monitor attendance.
• Approve PTO in Workday for direct reports.
• Maintain good order and discipline according to LDC code of conduct and all LDC policies.

Decision Making/Accountability

• Plans and controls the refining and packaging process for a soybean crushing and refining plant.  Assist Department Manager to ensure peak efficiencies and product quality while controlling costs.  Plans and allocates the work of plant operations personnel to meet facility needs and production goals.  Investigates and resolves any issues.

Safety, Health & Environmental Responsibilities

• Is an active member of the facility SHE Program.  Maintains good working knowledge of SHE policies, rules and procedures applicable to area of responsibility and ensures all applicable requirements are adhered to.  Ensures employees are provided required training for area assigned, and jobs and tasks prior to assigning work.  Ensures area of responsibility is maintained in orderly and safe manner.  Ensures unsafe working conditions are remedied as soon as practicable.   

Quality & Product Safety Responsibilities

• Maintains good working knowledge of Quality and Product Safety policies, rules and procedures applicable to area of responsibility and ensures all applicable requirements are adhered to. Ensures employees are provided required training for area assigned, and jobs and tasks prior to assigning work. Ensures area of responsibility is maintained in orderly and product safe manner. Ensure unsafe product working conditions are remedied as soon as practicable.

Louis Dreyfus Company provides equal employment opportunities to all without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other protected status.

Additional Information for the job

What We Offer

We provide a dynamic and stimulating international environment, which will stretch and develop your abilities and channel your skills and expertise with outstanding career development opportunities in one of the largest and most solid private companies in the world.

- Comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental and vision care coverage, flexible spending account plans, employee assistance program, life insurance and disability coverage
- 401k with Company Match
- Family Friendly Benefits including childbirth and parental leave, fertility and family building benefits
- Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Holidays
- Flexible work available (not applicable to all roles)

Diversity & Inclusion

LDC is driven by a set of shared values and high ethical standards, with diversity and inclusion being part of our DNA. LDC is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity, equity and inclusion.

LDC encourages diversity, supports local communities and environmental initiatives. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

Equal employment opportunity (EEO)

Louis Dreyfus Company provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Sustainability

Sustainable value is at the heart of our purpose as a company.

We are passionate about creating fair and sustainable value, both for our business and for other value chain stakeholders: our people, our business partners, the communities we touch and the environment around us