Job DescriptionEthanol Technology Manager - Cedar Rapids, IAThis is an exempt level position
Position SummaryThe Ethanol Technology Manager supports plant process areas related to the production and optimization of ethanol, distillers grains, corn oil, and co-products within dry and wet mill operations.
Primary process areas include:- Grain handling and preparation
- Liquefaction and saccharification
- Fermentation
- Distillation and dehydration
- Evaporation and drying systems (DDGS/Fiber/HSW/etc..)
These products and systems are produced through core unit operations such as:- Enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation
- Distillation and molecular sieve dehydration
- Evaporation and thermal drying
- Centrifugation and separation
- Heat integration and energy systems
- CIP and chemical treatment systems
This role focuses on continuous improvement, optimization, and reliability of ethanol plants, while collaborating across multiple facilities to standardize best practices and drive performance.
The technology manager will act as a resource for all plant operations leader and organizational engineers in the application of engineering principles to process design, troubleshooting, and deployment of new technologies, ensuring plant systems operate at safe, optimal, and cost-effective conditions.
This position plays a key role in achieving production targets, yield maximization, energy reduction, and carbon intensity improvements.
Essential Job Functions- Demonstrate technology leadership and promote a strong process safety culture.
- Benchmark ethanol plant performance (yield, energy, uptime) against internal and external best-in-class operations and drive improvements.
- Standardize and replicate best practices across ethanol sites, including fermentation efficiency, dryer performance, and energy usage.
- Manage and prioritize a portfolio of process improvement and capital projects across site operations.
- Collaborate with corporate and plant teams to align on technology deployment, modernization, and automation opportunities.
- Evaluate and implement new process technologies (e.g., enzyme systems, fermentation controls, heat integration, CO2 capture).
- Provide hands-on support in troubleshooting process bottlenecks (fermentation upsets, distillation inefficiencies, dryer constraints).
- Establish and track KPIs: ethanol yield, DDGS quality, energy usage (BTU/gal), uptime, and chemical usage.
- Work closely with operations, maintenance, and engineering teams to implement reliability and efficiency improvements.
- Mentor plant engineers and operators on process optimization and best practices.
- Establish and maintain regular contact and communications with the managers and superintendents at the target support facilities
Required Skills- Strong commitment to process safety and operational excellence.
- Deep understanding of ethanol-related unit operations:
- Fermentation kinetics
- Distillation & molecular sieve systems
- Evaporation and drying
- Centrifugation and separation
- Heat exchangers, utilities, and energy systems
- Experience in process optimization and yield improvement using data analytics and plant KPIs.
- Ability to work effectively across operations, engineering, and leadership teams.
- Working knowledge of PFDs, P&IDs, mass & energy balances, and control strategies.
- Willingness to work in plant environments and travel to support multiple sites.
- Results-driven with strong problem-solving capability.
Required EducationBachelor's degree in:
- Chemical Engineering
- Bioprocess Engineering
- Agricultural Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- or related technical field
Required Experience- Minimum 10 years of experience in ethanol and or bioprocessing operations
- Strong background in process engineering, operations support, or plant leadership
Desired Experience- Experience in ethanol plant operations leadership or advanced process technology roles
- Exposure to:
- Advanced process control (APC)
- Fermentation optimization / enzyme technology
- Energy reduction initiatives
- Carbon intensity / CO2 capture strategies
Excited about this role but don't think you meet every requirement listed? We encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this role or another one of our openings.
REF:110487
