Midwest Renewable Energy LLC
Quality Environmental Health and Safety Manager
Sutherland, Nebraska•Full-time
About the Job
Midwest Renewable Energy (MRE) serves the changing world of ethanol production from agricultural feedstock to a distilled 200-proof final product - ethanol. MRE distributes products based on customer needs, big and small, and has a growing portfolio to meet the growing demands of exciting new markets. MRE provides distributors and end users with spec-grade alcohol to enhance their application’s performance, stability, and earn repeat customers - while delivering capacity at the right time and the right price. MRE also provides co-products to help local farmers and co-ops, such as wet distillers' grains, corn oil, and syrup.
This position works Monday – Friday Day shift. Must be available for overtime work and/or on a call‐in basis as required. Plant is operational 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week. Benefits include PTO, SIMPLE IRA, health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
This position works Monday – Friday Day shift. Must be available for overtime work and/or on a call‐in basis as required. Plant is operational 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week. Benefits include PTO, SIMPLE IRA, health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
Position Purpose
The QEHS Manager oversees all safety, environmental compliance, and high-level product quality programs for our ethanol plant. This role ensures the facility maintains a safe working environment, meets all Federal and Nebraska state regulatory requirements, and delivers products that consistently match industry certifications and customer standards.
Key Responsibilities:
Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS)
- Regulatory Compliance: Manage compliance with OSHA, EPA, and Nebraska state agency regulations. Oversee the facility's air, water, and waste permits, working directly with the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE).
- CEMS Oversight & Maintenance: Manage the plant's Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS) to ensure continuous, accurate tracking of air emissions. Coordinate routine calibrations, preventative maintenance, quarterly audits (CGA), and annual Relative Accuracy Test Audits (RATA)
- Safety Programs: Develop, implement, and maintain plant safety policies, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), Confined Space Entry, and Hot Work.
- Process Safety Management (PSM): Oversee the plant's PSM and Risk Management Programs (RMP) to ensure the safe storage, handling, and processing of flammable and hazardous materials.
- Training & Safety Culture: Lead safety training for employees and contractors. Promote a proactive culture of hazard identification and accident prevention.
- Incident Investigation: Lead root-cause investigations for all accidents, near-misses, and environmental deviations. Track and implement corrective actions.
- Emergency Preparedness: Maintain the facility's emergency response plans and coordinate regular drills.
- Hazardous Material Management: Oversee safe handling and storage of process chemicals like denaturants, sulfuric acid and caustic acid.
Quality Management & Compliance:
- Quality Standards: Ensure final fuel ethanol, distillers grains, and corn oil consistently meet customer specifications and industry quality standards.
- Feed Safety Compliance: Maintain compliance with feed safety regulations regarding the production and handling of animal feed co-products.
- Audits & Documentation: Lead internal and external audits for safety, environmental compliance, and product quality certifications.
Job Qualifications:
Education & Experience:
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Health and Safety, Environmental Science, Engineering, or a related technical field is desired but is not necessary.
- Experience:
- Environmental health and safety experience.
- Experience managing or coordinating quality systems, or manufacturing compliance programs.
Knowledge & Skills:
- Knowledge of OSHA standards, EPA regulations, and NDEE permitting processes.
- Familiarity with manufacturing quality assurance frameworks and root-cause analysis.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and training abilities.
- Strong problem-solving skills with a focus on continuous improvement.
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to walk and stand for extended periods in an industrial plant environment.
- Ability to climb stairs and ladders to access equipment.
- Ability to lift, move, and carry equipment, tools, cylinders or regulatory sampling kits weighing up to 50 pounds independently.