Plant Operator

Company Description

Tessenderlo Kerley, Inc. is a company of diverse businesses unified by shared values and vision. We serve the agriculture, mining, industrial and water reclamation markets with a broad range of products and technologies, worldwide. Serving these customers well is a passion and a commitment-one that the people of Tessenderlo Kerley find rewarding, empowering and meaningful.

If you want the work you do to make a positive impact on the world in which we live, and work alongside innovative, quality-focused people of vision, Tessenderlo Kerley is the right place for you.

Job Description

Are you a safety-focused plant operator who takes pride in reliable operations, teamwork, and doing things the right way every time? Do you enjoy hands-on work, troubleshooting equipment and contributing to a strong safety culture in a chemical manufacturing environment?

If so, this is your opportunity to join our operations team as an Operator C at our Michaud, Idaho facility!

Why Join Us?

🦺 Safety First Culture – Be part of a team where safety, compliance and accountability are non-negotiable and fully supported.
🏭 Hands-On Operations – Work directly with equipment, processes and systems that keep the plant running safely and efficiently.
🤝 Team-Driven Environment – Collaborate closely with our Operations, Maintenance, Contractor and Leadership teams.
📈 Skill Development – Ongoing training, certification and opportunities to grow technical and operational expertise.
🌦️ Stability & Purpose – Play a critical role in daily operations, emergency response and long-term plant reliability.

What You’ll Do

✅ Operate the facility in accordance with company policies and all applicable OSHA, EPA, DOT and state/federal regulations.
✅ Load and unload trucks and railcars safely and accurately.
✅ Read, monitor and record local instrumentation and operating data.
✅ Troubleshoot equipment issues and make adjustments to prevent failures or unsafe conditions.
✅ Contain, clean up, package and label hazardous waste following HAZWOPER, RCRA and DOT requirements.
✅ Perform routine inspections of vessels and equipment to ensure safe operation.
✅ Actively participate in plant safety programs, meetings, inspections and hazard reporting.
✅ Support emergency response activities and mitigation efforts.
✅ Assist with maintenance activities, turnarounds, lockout/tagout, confined space entries and contractor oversight.
✅ Support plant projects including startups, P&ID walkdowns, hydro-testing and PSSR activities.
✅ Initiate work orders and assist with updating operating procedures.
✅ Operate plant equipment for snow and ice removal during inclement weather.
✅ Coach and train other operations team members, and help set the tone for work and safety ethic.
✅ Be available for callouts and consultation as needed, including nights, weekends, holidays and overtime.

Qualifications

What You’ll Bring

✔ High school diploma or GED
✔ HAZWOPER Technician-level certification (required)
✔ Ability to operate boilers and follow operating procedures precisely
✔ Strong mechanical and technical aptitude
✔ Working knowledge of pumps, compressors, boilers, piping systems, valves and fittings
✔ Understanding of Process Safety Management, Emergency Response Plans and Risk Management Programs
✔ Basic math, analytical and chemistry knowledge
✔ Ability to operate motorized plant equipment such as forklifts, skid steers, backhoes and track mobiles
✔ Strong communication skills and a professional, team-oriented mindset
✔ Basic computer skills

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

🔹 Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and occasionally exert up to 100 pounds using mechanical aids
🔹 Ability to climb ladders and stairs, and work at heights
🔹 Comfortable working in confined spaces and high-noise environments
🔹 Ability to wear required PPE, including respirators and SCBA when necessary
🔹 Ability to work indoors and outdoors in extreme temperatures and weather conditions

Additional Information

Why join Tessenderlo Kerley:

Working at Tessenderlo Kerley

• Work/life balance
• Fun and rewarding environment
• Learning, development and teamwork
• Community involvement/outreach
• Challenging and meaningful work

Benefits & Rewards:

• Medical-Dental-Vision-Prescription (Low employee premiums!)
• 401(k) plan with dollar-for-dollar matching up to the first 5% of employee contribution
• 401(k) company retirement contribution at year-end, equal to 4% of annual base salary
• Short-term incentive awards based on measured performance criteria
• Life Insurance (2x annual base salary)
• Paid vacation and sick time, and 10 paid holidays per year
• Tuition Reimbursement: Up to $5,000 per calendar year (non-taxable)
• Adoption Assistance: Up to $7,500 in reimbursement assistance
• Paid maternity and parental time off
• Business Travel Life & Accident Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Telemedicine program for you and your dependents
• Long-Term Disability insurance
• Company referral program

Tessenderlo Kerley is part of Tessenderlo Group, an industrial group that focuses on agriculture, valorizing bio-residuals, machinery, mechanical engineering, electronics, energy, and providing industrial solutions with a focus on water. With its headquarters in Belgium, the group is active in over 100 countries, and it has a global team of more than 7,000 employees. Its belief that “Every Molecule Counts” is at the heart of the strategy of the group: Tessenderlo Group continually strives to valorize its products and processes to the maximum and to add value to everything it does. For more information about Tessenderlo Group, its people, and its brands, please visit www.tessenderlo.com.

Tessenderlo Kerley, Inc. 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.