Specialist, Polymers Process

Basic Function

The Process Specialist is accountable for providing technical support for the daily operation of the plant. The individual will manage the daily production activities for plant process units and will define operation problems and promote solutions. The individual will primarily focus on the issues affecting safety, environmental compliance, plant reliability, quality, productivity and maintenance priorities. Specifically, this role will be supporting a high density polyethylene (HDPE) unit at the La Porte, Texas manufacturing facility.

Roles & Responsibilities

•    Assists the FLS in directing the daily activities in the process units. Issues daily process unit operating instructions.
•    Tracks unit production status to ensure production requirements are met in order to meet the needs of the business organization.
•    Interfaces with the Business Group, Manufacturing and Production planning as necessary to discuss plant operation, production and business needs.
•    Audits the production units daily and provide assistance to Operations personnel as necessary to maximize quality yield, plant reliability and production rate in support of operational goals.
•    Monitors, investigates and tabulates reasons for unit downtime, unit and equipment failures or upsets, and low production rates in order to provide information for plant operating reports.
•    Works closely with the Production/Process Engineers to solve operational issues.
•    Sets unit priorities on maintenance work to be accomplished and works with the PMC and Maintenance Supervision to accomplish the daily maintenance initiatives within the unit.
•    Determines root causes and issue technical solutions as necessary to support Operational and Maintenance goals for unit quality, reliability and production rates; thereby, maximizing plant profitability.
•    Champion of Operating Discipline: audits round sheets, logs, and provides feedback to FLS’s and technicians.
•    Assists operating technicians in developing and approving startup/shutdown procedures. Evaluate and improve existing procedures and develop new procedures as necessary to maximize plant HSE performance, quality, yield, and profitability.
•    Updates Standard Operating Procedures, Normal Operating Ranges, and Safe Operating Conditions in support of the plant's Process Safety Management effort.
•    Works with Process/Production Engineering to ensure Operating Manuals are accurate and up to date.
•    Guides the Training Department by emphasizing key operating practices on a daily basis and by participating in formal training to improve employee effectiveness.
•    Assists in the planning of the turnaround schedule as to scope of work to be due in the unit. Ensures compliance of applicable safety, environmental rules, policies and procedures.
•    Mentors new Production and Process engineers as well as new operating technicians while in the respective unit.
•    Promotes the safety of the plant. Participates in plant safety programs as necessary.
•    Participates 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 of achieving 0.0 TRIR and to ensure environmental compliance.
•    Assists in MOC. Ensures compliance with quality standards.
 

Required Qualifications

•    Minimum 10-15 years of progressively responsible experience in plant operations
•    Thorough technical understanding of plant chemical processes and unit operations
•    Strong leadership and interpersonal skills
•    Must be highly motivated and solution oriented
•    This position supports the shift organization in a 24 hour, 365 day per year operation.
 

Preferred Qualifications

• Supervisory experience directing operations shift personnel is a plus but not necessary
   

Competencies