FORT SCOTT — Diversey Solenis will invest roughly $10 million in its new Fort Scott chemical blending plant, which will make dry and liquid cleaning and surfactant products for the beef industry.
Plant Manager Patrick Boles told the Monitor Wednesday that the facility is expected to operate with 15 employees, including Boles, once hiring is complete.
The company has no plans to expand beyond that staffing level at this time, he said.
"Someday I would hope it would grow, but there's nothing in the works right now," Boles said. "It's those 15 people should be able to produce what we need for our customers."
Boles said the plant will meet city, county, state and federal safety requirements, with inspections underway as equipment is installed and all required safety measures are incorporated into the facility.
Boles said he does not expect Fort Scott or Bourbon County first responders to need special training beyond what they already have, and that neighbors should not expect odors, noise, emissions or wastewater discharge during operations.
The plant, at 4805 Campbell Drive, is expected to begin receiving materials from other company locations Oct. 15.
The company is hiring for 14 positions. Boles outlined the openings and what the company is looking for in each:
- Maintenance manager — The company prefers a degreed engineer for this position, Boles said.
- Warehouse supervisor — SAP experience is a strong advantage. Boles called it "one of the hottest positions" the company is trying to fill.
- Buyer — SAP experience required.
- Planner/scheduler — SAP experience required.
- Quality and safety manager — A degreed candidate is preferred.
- Lab technician — Boles said he would like a candidate with prior lab experience.
- Fork truck drivers (three openings) — No formal education requirement was stated.
- Chemical operators (five openings) — No formal education requirement was stated.
The jobs will be on the day shift, although an exact starting time has not been set. Some overtime will be available during the startup period.
Regular full-time employees will receive benefits beginning on their first day, Boles said. "And the pay will be as good or better than anything that's in town for those relative positions," he said.
Boles said interested applicants can visit the Solenis careers site here and select United States of America, Kansas (Remote) to apply. The Fort Scott positions will be listed there until Solenis formally adds the Fort Scott plant to its website.
