Open Department Positions

The Department of Grain Science and Industry is seeking applications for a non-tenure track, 12-month appointment, annually renewable position serving as the Feed Mill Maintenance & Operations Technician. This position will oversee the maintenance & equipment care, as well as ensure safety and compliance is maintained at the O.H. Kruse Feed Mill.

This position offers you the chance to develop specialized skills in feed mill operations with the backing of a supportive and safety-focused team.

Maintenance & Equipment Care

• Conduct daily maintenance activities on feed mill equipment, setting and adjusting schedules to ensure smooth operations.
• Support and continuously improve a proactive Preventative Maintenance Program, working closely with the feed mill manager to meet operational goals.
• Monitor, troubleshoot, and repair all feed mill machinery, ensuring equipment is functioning safely and efficiently.
• Maintain detailed maintenance records and utilize the Dekra system to track repairs, replacements, and preventative maintenance tasks.
• Manage an inventory of critical parts to support maintenance activities, ensuring availability when needed.
• Develop consistent guidelines for parts replacement and repairs, contributing to the feed mill’s reliability and efficiency.

Safety & Compliance

• Actively promote a Safety Awareness Program, ensuring tools, equipment, and facilities are kept clean and in safe working order.
• Acquire and maintain required certifications, including forklift, Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), and confined space, to support a safe working environment.
• Comply with environmental and safety regulations as set by Kansas State University.

Feed Delivery & Operations Support

• Oversee feed delivery operations to livestock units, providing hands-on assistance as needed to ensure timely and accurate deliveries.
• Set up, operate, and monitor feed mill machinery, making adjustments as necessary to maintain high standards of quality and efficiency.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate or bachelor’s degree preferred.
  • Proficiency in troubleshooting, repairing, and assembling mechanical equipment; excellent teamwork and communication skills in a fast-paced environment.
  • Vision abilities include close and distance vision with focus adjustment.
  • Ability to lift and/or move up to 50 lbs as needed.
  • Frequent standing, walking, handling objects, reaching, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and communicating.
  • Must be able to tolerate exposure to grain dust, chemical odors, and noisy conditions.
  • Comfort working with a variety of chemicals and feed ingredients in an agricultural setting.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires a high school diploma and 5 years of relevant experience.

1. Pet Food Science

• Leadership to drive innovation through basic and applied interdisciplinary research that transforms companion animal health and support pet food and allied industries.

2. Feed Technology and Manufacturing

• Leadership to drive innovation through basic and applied interdisciplinary research that transform animal health and performance and support the animal feed and allied industries.

3. Human Health and Wellbeing

• Leadership to drive innovation through basic and applied interdisciplinary research that transform animal health and performance and support the animal feed and allied industries.

4. Innovative Manufacturing Technologies

• Leadership in advanced technologies and timely solutions that create value for industry and consumers, and advance economic development.

5. Sustainable Food Systems

• Responsive innovations that improve resiliency and efficiencies in the food value chain.

6. Analytical Tools to Support Grain and Plant Component Chemistry

• Leadership in application of fundamental principles of chemistry to support food safety, ingredient functionality, and food quality and process improvements.

The successful individuals will contribute to the department’s land-grant missions in teaching and research, and K-State’s Plan for Economic Prosperity in Kansas. Among primary job expectations:

• Establish and maintain reputable scholarly research programs with extramural support from various sources including federal agencies, commodity organizations and industry partners.
• Teach undergraduate and / or graduate courses.
• Provide quality academic advising to undergraduate and graduate students, mentor students on setting academic and career goals, supervise undergraduate research and other high impact learning activities as needed, and assist with undergraduate student recruitment activities.
• Recruit and mentor graduate students.

• Serve on departmental, college, and university committees; and appropriate professional/industry associations.

• The candidate will perform other duties as assigned by the Department Head.
• The candidate is expected to foster a welcoming environment, support collegiality, and must have the ability to work in a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary setting.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Postdoctoral experience.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with faculty, university administration, and industry scientists and leaders.
• Demonstrated research experience and achievements in relevant areas.
• Experience in obtaining extramural grants.
• Desire and ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team environment and advance the university’s commitment to collegiality, diversity, and inclusivity.

Minimun Qualifications:

• Ph.D. degree in a relevant discipline, such as grain science, animal nutrition, agricultural or biological engineering, food science, human nutrition, biochemistry, chemistry, chemical engineering, polymer science etc.
• Ability to teach and advise undergraduate and graduate students.
• Ability to build a strong and impactful research program.
• Track record of scholarly publications.
• Commitment to the University’s land-grant mission.

The successful individuals will contribute to the department’s land-grant missions in extension and research, and K-State’s Plan for Economic Prosperity in Kansas. Among primary job expectations:

• Provide guidance and support to food companies, both new and existing, on food safety regulations and processing and handling practices, including serving as the process authority to food manufacturing enterprises in the state.
• Lead the operations of the food processing pilot facility by partnering with industry, faculty, and students to foster entrepreneurship and innovation, and ensure sustainable revenue stream and high impact student training.
• Develop and deliver continuing education to the food industry to meet both FDA and Kansas Department of Agriculture certification requirements, and ensure relevant manpower professional development. This includes, but is not limited to, developing relevant extension publications, webinars, workshops, and other modes of delivering education.
• Work collaboratively with faculty and external stakeholders to develop and deliver timely solutions to meet food industry needs.
• Assist regional, district, and county Extension Agents in working with constituents who want to produce food products for retail sale.
• Develop and lead a robust extramurally funded research program in area of specialization.
• Participate in professional society conferences and other activities as appropriate.
• Other job-related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in food science, food engineering or a closely related field.
• Proficiency in modern food product development and processing techniques, applied food safety, food plant sanitation, current processing regulations, and food product labeling regulations.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to interact effectively with food industry professionals, food manufacturing startups, and students.
• Demonstrated record (or potential) for securing competitive grants and external funding.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a Land Grant University and/or prior work in the food industry.
• Experience in securing extramural grant funding.
• Background in client-driven research and technology transfer.
• Previous engagement in multidisciplinary research collaborations.