Plant Chemist - South Dakota - Cement Manufacturing

The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented and analytical professional with a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry and 2 to 4 years of laboratory experience, preferably in a cement, manufacturing, or heavy industrial environment. They have hands‑on experience performing chemical and physical testing, interpreting laboratory data, and supporting process optimization and product quality initiatives.

The successful candidate is skilled in laboratory instrumentation, equipment calibration, data analysis, and quality control procedures. They possess strong mathematical aptitude, can effectively communicate recommendations to operations teams, and are comfortable working with computerized data tracking systems. Previous supervisory experience is a plus.

A strong commitment to safety, continuous improvement, and operational excellence is essential. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced plant environment, demonstrates sound judgment and problem-solving abilities, and is dedicated to maintaining high standards of quality, accuracy, and regulatory compliance.

This position is located in Rapid City, SD. Relocation assistance available.

Performs chemical and physical analysis of cement, clinker and raw materials compositions used in the production of cement, clinker, kiln feed and raw meal according to established and standardized procedures (ASTM, CCRL, ASSHTO, GCC, ect.).

• Performs chemical-physical analysis of cement, clinker and raw materials compositions used in the production of cement, clinker, kiln feed and raw meal (raw mix) according to established and standardized procedures (ASTM – CCRL – ASSHTO – GCC, etc.).
• Maintain the reliability and confidence of the chemical and physical equipment used for the corresponding tests.
• Supervise and coordinate hourly employees in the absence of the Quality Control Manager.
• Perform microscopy clinker analysis
• Will maintain and enforce a safe working environment, adhere to safety policies and practices, daily housekeeping, and adhere to plant policies and proper use of plant radios.
• Be familiar with MSHA safety rules, safety procedures for plant mobile equipment, lockout/tag‑out policy, confined space permit policy, hot work policy, emergency response plan, arc flash/shock and burn protection, proper containment and disposal process (via Waste Management Plan) for lubricants, paints/solvents and other environmentally sensitive materials.
• Performs wet and/or instrumental analyses of the material through each plant section to establish the correct dosing/proportions accordingly.
• Issues instructions to plant personnel to adjust components of raw feed to effect correct composition.
• Analyzes finish mill on‑stream product to determine the proper proportion of gypsum and/or additional materials.
• Analyzes cement, clinker and other materials by microscopic methods.
• Makes all the required determinations of coal samples either, being fired in the kilns or raw.
• Tests for the level of chlorides in "Stage 4" of the dry process kiln pre‑heater.
• Makes chemical and/or physical analysis (according, but not limited, to the Raw Materials program) of raw material components of cement clinker and calculates their correct proportions necessary to produce cement that will meet specifications concomitant with fuel economy, kiln brick life, etc.
• Analyzes Cement Reference Laboratory cement samples to check against plant laboratory performance.
• Standardize a group of test solutions used in routine control testing.
• Cleans and checks the calibration of balances.
• Makes chemical analysis of raw materials, kiln feed and clinker to develop and provide standards necessary for the calibration of the x‑ray analyzers.
• Make all the XRD analysis needed to improve the kiln(s) operation and to…