Petroleum Technical Service Specialist

Summary

CHS, Inc. is seeking a Petroleum Technical Services Specialist in the Inver Grove Heights, MN global corporate office. This role involves providing front-line technical support and expertise for Cenex branded and private label petroleum products, including fuels, lubricants, and greases, to CHS staff and customers. The specialist will support marketing and sales with product application and sales, offering fast and accurate technical assistance on product uses and equipment recommendations. Additionally, the role includes researching lubricant or fuel-related problems, developing and implementing solutions, advising on product performance claims, and ensuring they are backed by valid technical data. Responsibilities also encompass reviewing and approving warranty claims, providing warranty analysis, and supporting marketing and sales teams. The specialist will enhance product and industry knowledge through training and technical support materials, protect product quality through compliance audits, and maintain ISO audit readiness for lubricant production plants.

Responsibilities

Customer Support for Lubricants and Refined Fuels:

• Answer customer inquiries on fuel and lubricant applications, performance, and specifications. Provide technical information on new or updated products driven by customer needs, industry changes, or regulations. Resolve customer problems and complaints.
• Offer effective, long-term solutions for customer issues. Assist sales with technical support and guidance on product quality or performance.
• Support QA sample testing for BBLA bulk lube samples. 
• Produce charts and graphs for the Fuel Sampling programs documenting fuel quality for CHS Owners. Provide technical support for annual quality assurance testing on RF samples.
• Analyze fuel test results and provide written reports to customers.

TPP Warranty:

• Responsible for technical administration and warranty claims review for the Cenex branded lubricant and fuel TPP warranty, covering 6000+ pieces of Ag equipment (average new equipment cost exceeds $200,000 per unit). Provide fair and fast technical support on all Cenex branded warranty claims.
• Review and approve claims for payment and communicate with relevant parties. Discuss issues with marketing and sales when necessary.
• Collaborate with internal Business Operations Analyst and ALS to track and complete tasks for approving used equipment applications, warranty transfers, and claims.
• Review used oil analysis reports for used equipment program approval, determining acceptance or rejection of warranty applications. Approve warranty transfer requests.
• Provide technical support for customer inquiries on warranty coverage, sampling requirements, and used oil test results.
• Maintain accurate claim and cost records, providing them to accounting and management monthly.
• Train customers on warranty and used oil analysis report interpretation.

Training:

• Develop and provide technical training to Energy staff and customers on fuel and lubricant topics, including:
  • CES (Certified Energy Specialist) training on fuels, lubricants, and industry knowledge.
  • Electronic equipment and cross-reference “Train the Trainer” sessions.
  • Winter fuels training for sales staff and CESs.
  • Specific product lubricant training for DM sales staff, CLTs, and local cooperative customers.
  • ALS and used oil analysis training.
  • BBLA holders training on quality standards.

Quality and Manufacturing Support:

• Provide leadership support for production plant certifications, ISO audit inspections, and continuous improvement.
• Serve as a backup QA Lab technician if needed.
• Assist manufacturing plants with customer complaint resolution and quality issues.
• Perform basic lab QC tests for production sample approval and release.

Industry Knowledge:

• Provide technical and product specification support for lubricants and fuels marketing, sales staff, and customers. This includes:
  • Developing and maintaining product technical data sheets and petroleum bulletins.
  • Enhancing industry knowledge through participation in SAE, ASTM, STLE, NLGI, and additive supplier meetings.
  • Contributing to the development and maintenance of CLIC, the electronic equipment and cross-reference program.
  • Assisting manufacturing plants with customer complaint resolution, formulations, and quality.
  • Participating in APQP and other technical services functions.

Minimum Qualifications (required)

• High School diploma or GED
• 2+ years of experience in the petroleum industry, or a related industry

Additional Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred in Science, Engineering, or related field.
• Proficient in lab testing protocols and ASTM procedures.
• Experience in a manufacturing plant or quality control lab.
• Preferred experience in Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS).
• Comprehensive understanding of agricultural, construction, automotive, over-the-road, and industrial equipment.
• Extensive knowledge and experience with lubricant and fuel lab instruments.
• Strong understanding of petroleum and lubricant chemistry, including SAE specifications and ASTM test procedures.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Mechanical aptitude.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint with excellent administrative skills. 
• Pre-employment screening is based on the job requirements and industry guidelines and may or may not be required for the position. If required, selected candidates must pass pre-employment screenings to include all or a combination of drug, criminal, motor vehicle check, physical requirements and FMSCA Clearinghouse

Physical Requirements

• Travel up to 25%