Process Specialist

Basic Function

The Process Specialist is accountable for providing technical support for the daily operation of the plant for their area of oversight. The individual will provide daily oversight and strategic direction for activities associated with plant process units including the Cooling Tower, CoGen, Boilers, Superheaters, and Demin. The Process Specialist will help identify, define operation problems, and promote solutions supporting the Operations shifting organization. This position works closely with Engineering; serves as the lead for contractors providing service to plant utilities; and a Utilities Day Technician. In addition, the Process Specialist has the responsibility to interface with the Production Maintenance Specialist to aid in defining priority maintenance items for the unit. The individual will primarily focus on the issues affecting Operations/Maintenance priorities, plant reliability, quality, production, safety, and environmental compliance.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Set unit priorities to accomplish the short- and longer-term operational initiatives for the utility’s units. Issues process unit operating instructions daily.
• Track unit status ensuring key performance indicators are sustained so that the facilities operation meets the needs of the production units and business organization.
• Works with third party materials and service providers like Nalco/Haliburton Multi-Chem and engineering to discuss plant operation and production/business needs.
• Assess units daily and aid Operations personnel maximize plant reliability and production rate in support of operational goals.
• Champion of Operating Discipline compliance: Intela-trac rounds, cNotes logs, and provides feedback to FLS’s and technicians regarding quality of these communications.
• Resolves process problems through troubleshooting/historical knowledge and implements solutions in a timely manner.
• Thoroughly investigate reasons for unit and equipment upsets and/or failures, unit downtime and low production rates. Determine root causes (with engineering groups) and issue technical solutions as necessary to support Operational and Maintenance goals for unit quality, reliability, and production rates.
• Provide updated operating and startup/shutdown procedures to Operations technicians.
• Evaluate and improve existing procedures and develop new procedures as necessary to maximize plant HSE performance, quality, yield, and profitability.
• Works with engineering to update Standard Operating Procedures, Normal Operating Ranges, and Safe Operating Conditions to support of the Plant's Process Safety Management effort.
• Assist the Training Department by emphasizing good operating practices daily and by participating in formal training to improve employee effectiveness.
• Actively supports MOWP through direct interface with the Process Maintenance Coordinators and operations to ensure goals alignment.
• Participate in the mentoring and training of FLS’s, Process Technicians, Engineers.
• Participate in Process Hazard Analyses and Incident Investigations. Incorporate sound safety and environmental principles in all operational and maintenance job activities to support the plant safety goal and to ensure environmental compliance.
• Has broad knowledge of shift personnel and their technical capabilities; provides input and makes recommendations to improve the operational and technical skills of the shift organization.

Min. Qualifications

• A minimum of 10 years of CCO plant Operations experience and able to demonstrate a thorough technical understanding of the plant chemical process and unit operations.
• Prior experience in a site leadership role such as a First Line Supervisor (FLS Operations or Maintenance), Production Maintenance Coordinator or as a designated Step-Up to an FLS.
• A working knowledge of Cooling Towers / Cooling water systems, CoGen units, Boilers, Superheaters and Demin units.
• Experience using the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint primarily) and Outlook.
• Requires the availability to support the shift organization in a 24-hour, 365 day per year operation.
• Strong leadership and people skills are required due to the frequent interaction with department personnel, other functional groups, and third-party suppliers.
• Must be a strong communicator (both verbal and written) due to frequent interaction with a variety of functional groups within LYB as well as with customers, third party contractors and government/regulatory agencies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using SAP including MOWP process, requisition generation and approval, work order approvals)

Competencies