Plant Technician

Benefits & Perks

Eligible Team Members may receive:

• Competitive bonuses – up to six bonuses per year (Quarterly Profit Sharing & Value Share)
• Paid time off and paid holidays – 40 hours of PTO available on Day1, on top of a biweekly PTO accrual program!
• Comprehensive benefits package;
  Individual and family plans for health, dental, & vision insurance, including a generous employer Health Savings Account contribution
• Competitive pay, including shift premium pay for qualifying positions
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid Parental Leave
• Tuition reimbursement
• Attractive relocation assistance and bonus programs for qualifying positions and/or locations
• Safety and cold weather gear reimbursements
• Discounted home and auto insurance
• A multifaceted wellness program encompassing the whole person – mentally, physically, and spiritually
• Family‑first culture
• Onsite fitness centers or fitness reimbursements

The Plant Technician is responsible for the operation of all plant processing equipment and performing routine basic maintenance in a highly automated chemical facility.

The position requires 12‑hour shift work, with days 7am‑7pm and nights 7pm‑7am, rotating every six weeks. Pay: $21‑$33 per hour, depending on experience. This is an on‑site role located in Preston, MN.

• Maintain and operate all processes associated with the plant where required.
• Perform maintenance and basic repairs of plant equipment and document these activities.
• Operate the DCS (Distributed Control System) for the plant.
• Safely perform basic electrical troubleshooting.
• Follow procedures for plant start‑up, shut‑down, cleaning, and batching.
• Maintain accurate and timely logs.
• Collect and test quality control samples, interpret QA/QC results, and make adjustments to optimize plant operations, then document results and enter them into the PI data collection system.
• Assist in removal, installation, rebuild, and performance of preventive and predictive maintenance on all equipment associated with plant processes.
• Help keep the plant clean by following the sanitation schedule and completing all tasks as assigned.
• Notify management of safety, environmental, quality, and production concerns, problems and opportunities.
• Maintain a team environment at all times and champion POET in the community.
• Foster a culture of safe behavior and environmental compliance at all times.
• Maintain and advance the food safety and quality of POET’s products and processes to deliver a best‑in‑class culture of quality.

High school diploma or equivalent required. Experience requirements vary by level (Plant Technician I, II, or III). Specific qualifications include:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience in a production environment preferred; documented successful performance as a Plant Technician I for Plant Technician II; documented proficiency in Plant Technician III Skills Checklist for Plant Technician III.
• Working knowledge in math, reading comprehension, and mechanical reasoning.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem‑solving skills.
• Experience with software systems such as Maximo preferred.
• Excellent organizational, time‑management, and communication skills, with the ability to embrace change.
• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.

A successful candidate will have:

• High level of personal integrity.
• Interpersonal skills – ability to effectively interact with individuals at all levels within or outside the organization.
• Ability to embrace and promote change.
• Innovative mindset.
• Ability to think objectively.
• Self‑awareness in the face of uncertainty.
• Teamwork ability.

This role requires wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as hard hats, gloves, safety glasses, steel‑toed boots, hazardous material suit, hearing protection, and harness. Working at extreme heights (≈150ft), in confined spaces, and in extreme temperatures from –20°F to +100°F, both indoors and outdoors. May be dusty at times.

Must be able to use the following equipment/tools (training provided): forklift, power washer, pallet jack, hoist systems, scissor lifts, JLG lifts, telehandlers, front‑end loaders, various hand tools, and…