Kankakee Site Operator

At Dow, we believe in putting people first and we’re passionate about delivering integrity, respect and safety to our customers, our employees and the planet.  

Our people are at the heart of our solutions. They reflect the communities we live in and the world where we do business. Their diversity is our strength. We’re a community of relentless problem solvers that offers the daily opportunity to contribute with your perspective, transform industries and shape the future. Our purpose is simple - to deliver a sustainable future for the world through science and collaboration. If you’re looking for a challenge and meaningful role, you’re in the right place. 

Dow has an exciting and challenging opportunity as an Kankakee Site Operator located in Kankakee, IL! As an Operator, you will operate assigned equipment or areas of the Plant. You will also perform and report on operational related activities per the Operations Dashboard (OPD)-Tasks List. It will be your responsibility to utilize discretionary time to enable sustainable performance results for the facility and also utilize operations knowledge and experience, to proactively operate the plant in a safe, reliable and optimal manner. You will work with Shift Team members to efficiently anticipate and resolve unplanned events within the capabilities of the shift team and effectively escalates issues that cannot be resolved to the appropriate support roles. You will also be training other less experienced operators. This role requires broadened technical skills in analytical/scientific methods or operational processes to perform a defined array of activities. You may act as an informal resource for team members with less experience.

Responsibilities / Duties

• Follows Operating Discipline policies, principles, procedures, standards and practices to ensure safe, reliable and efficient operation of assigned plant areas. Ensures adequate operating discipline is available for all planned and unplanned activities.
• Operates and field checks process equipment. Monitors process conditions, key performance metrics, equipment and control systems and makes appropriate decisions to maintain and/or achieve desired rates and conditions aligned with Plant/Site/Business goals.
• Performs scheduled operational and related tasks and tasks that arise as a result of resolving unplanned events.
• Works with shift team members and other shift teams to leverage skills and knowledge to balance workload ensuring assigned tasks are completed by due dates.
• Conducts effective shift relief, as defined in facility specific operating discipline and tools, to ensure effective communication and handoff to arriving shift team.
• Maintains qualification in assigned areas, per facility policy, and completes training goals in a timely manner. This includes using discretionary time to address skills and knowledge gaps.
• Mentors and trains new and existing operations personnel on process operation, troubleshooting and the use of operating discipline in alignment to plant's training process.
• Performs Immediate Response activities, as assigned.
• Initiates and documents preliminary investigations according to plant specific process/criteria and participates in formal and informal Root Cause Investigations for events involved in or by request.
• Tracks and utilizes the plant's key performance metrics on shift that are applicable to the Operating the Plant role to optimize operations and identify improvement opportunities. Uses process knowledge and skills to make improvements in plant performance and operating discipline. Proactively identifies improvements and opportunities utilizing the facility improvement processes, appropriate management of change processes and communication tools.
• Performs Autonomous Maintenance, including minor repairs and preventative maintenance, utilizing appropriate policies, procedures, processes and disciplines. Note: Subject to local agreements.

Required Qualifications

• A minimum of a High School Diploma or other GED equivalent
• A minimum requirement for this U.S. based position is the ability to work legally in the United States. No visa sponsorship/support is available for this position, including for any type of U.S. permanent residency (green card) process. 

Preferred Skills

• 2 years of process operations, manufacturing or other related experience preferred
• Communication - Good written and verbal communication skills
• Equipment Maintenance - Mechanically inclined
• Process Safety - Able to prevent fires, explosions, and accidental chemical releases in chemical process facilities
• Risk Awareness - Has the ability to identify, evaluate, and prioritize the risks and follow up with coordinated and economical application of resources to minimize, monitor, and mitigate impact of unfortunate events.
• Time Management - it is essential that the individual should have the ability to prioritize their workload depending on significance and deadline

Additional note: This position does not offer relocation assistance

Benefits – What Dow offers you 

We invest in you. 
 

Dow invests in total rewards programs to help you manage all aspects of you: your pay, your health, your life, your future, and your career. You bring your background, talent, and perspective to work every day. Dow rewards that commitment by investing in your total wellbeing.

Here are just a few highlights of what you would be offered as a Dow employee: 

• Equitable and market-competitive base pay and bonus opportunity across our global markets, along with locally relevant incentives. 
• Benefits and programs to support your physical, mental, financial, and social well-being, to help you get the care you need...when you need it. 
• Competitive retirement program that may include company-provided benefits, savings opportunities, financial planning, and educational resources to help you achieve your long term financial-goals. 
  • Employee stock purchase programs (availability varies depending on location).
• Student Debt Retirement Savings Match Program (U.S. only).
  • Dow will take the value of monthly student debt payments and apply them as if they are contributions to the Employees’ Savings Plan (401(k)), helping employees reach the Company match.
• Robust medical and life insurance packages that offer a variety of coverage options to meet your individual needs. Travel insurance is also available in certain countries/locations.
• Opportunities to learn and grow through training and mentoring, work experiences, community involvement and team building. 
• Workplace culture empowering role-based flexibility to maximize personal productivity and balance personal needs. 
• Competitive yearly vacation allowance.
• Paid time off for new parents (birthing and non-birthing, including adoptive and foster parents).
• Paid time off to care for family members who are sick or injured.
• Paid time off to support volunteering and Employee Resource Group’s (ERG) participation. 
• Wellbeing Portal for all Dow employees, our one-stop shop to promote wellbeing, empowering employees to take ownership of their entire wellbeing journey.
• On-site fitness facilities to help stay healthy and active (availability varies depending on location).
• Employee discounts for online shopping, cinema tickets, gym memberships and more.
• Additionally, some of our locations might offer:
  • Transportation allowance (availability varies depending on location)
  • Meal subsidiaries/vouchers (availability varies depending on location)
  • Carbon-neutral transportation incentives e.g. bike to work (availability varies depending on location)

Join our team, we can make a difference together.

About Dow

Dow (NYSE: DOW) is one of the world’s leading materials science companies, serving customers in high-growth markets such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer applications. Our global breadth, asset integration and scale, focused innovation, leading business positions and commitment to sustainability enable us to achieve profitable growth and help deliver a sustainable future. We operate manufacturing sites in 31 countries and employ approximately 35,900 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $45 billion in 2023. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. ​​​​Learn more about us and our ambition to be the most innovative, customer-centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world by visiting www.dow.com.

As part of our dedication to the diversity of our workforce, Dow is committed to equal opportunities in employment. We encourage every employee to bring their whole self to work each day to not only deliver more value, but also have a more fulfilling career. Further information regarding Dow's equal opportunities is available on www.dow.com.

Dow is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and is committed to providing opportunities without regard for race, color, religion, sex, including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity, national origin, age, disability and genetic information, including family medical history. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may call us at 1-833-My Dow HR (833-693-6947) and select option 8.