Process Specialist

Department: Production 

Location: LaPorte North Plant D-Line

Travel Involved: 0-5%

Job Type: Full-time

 Description:

The Process Specialist is responsible for leading unit operations activities and daily production direction and oversight through interaction with staff, shift leaders and Operators in order to achieve business objectives.  Provide technical leadership and support for Production Group to accomplish business goals.  The Process Specialist and the Production Engineers overlap in many areas; however, the Process Specialist will focus more on personnel direction and maintenance execution than will the Production Engineers.

 Responsibilities include:

• Drive and maintain excellence in the tactical operation of the facility effectively utilizing team technical knowledge and experience.
• Role-model entrepreneurial leadership driving the Braskem TEO Culture
• Accountable for ensuring a safe and environmentally sound operation while maintaining quality and production goals.
• Leads troubleshooting activities to resolve complex operating issues.  Partners with technical resources, when appropriate, for such resolutions.
• Establishes unit priorities to sustain and improve operating performance.
• Provides overall direction and guidance for day-to-day operations to Shift Supervisors/Shift Leaders.
• Verbal instructions followed by input into written night notes.
• All 3rd party instructions to be provided by the Production Engineer/Specialist through written night notes.
• Demonstrated commitment to Operating Execution and demonstrated commitment to the Maintenance Workflow Process.
• Serve as the subject matter expert for unit operations daily.
• Works closely with the Production Maintenance Coordinator to set maintenance priorities.  This includes collaboration with Operators/Technicians to help define the next week’s maintenance schedule. 
• Responsible for leading or contributing to the coordination of plant startups, shutdowns, and turnaround planning.
• Responsible for working with Leadership in maintaining strong communications with salaried and hourly staffs relevant to unit status, work requirements, and operational targets.
• Develops the training plan for certification and re-certification annually through collaboration with the Shift Leaders and the Training Coordinator.  Monitors the Operator/Technician training process. Partners with Shift Supervisors/Shift Leaders and Training Coordinator to identify and correct issues that are training related.
• Involved in management of change projects, develops procedures, participates in incident investigations, develops, and directs action items.
• Communicate and interface across all functions concerning safety, plant operations, repairs, and scheduling to meet supply chain and customer requirements.
• Serve as a technical resource for team members – Assists team members    when planning work, troubleshooting process deviations or upsets, executing startup and shutdown activities, and managing emergency situations.
• Serves as Primary Owner/Administrator for the IntelliTrac system.
• Serves as Start-up & Shutdown Coordinator for Operations.
• Willingness to work unscheduled hours and weekends as necessary to guide and assist facility during unusual plant conditions.
• Participate, lead, and review MOCs and PSSRs.
• Participates in PHAs
• Responsible for review and resolution of action items because of HES, ISO, Insurance audits and PHA studies.
• Owns, develops, modify and/or review operational procedures.
• Reviews DCS panels and alarm summaries to assess Process Health.
• Review Shift Leader/Operator logbooks.
• Discuss with Shift Leaders and Operators any issues or concerns. Solicit feedback as to notes in logbooks.
• Reviews rounds exception reports.
• Production rates vs Benchmark /Verify PLE is valid
• Reviews the daily maintenance schedule to ensure that equipment is ready for repairs and works with Shift Leader/Shift Supervisor/PMC to make last minute updates or adjustments due to operational requirements.
• Daily Production vs Schedule.
• Review the additive package and Operating Parameter currently being made.
• Assist in product quality and lot disposition.
• Makes unit walkthrough.
• Aligns with Production Engineer on any unit issues and process deviations identified from morning data assessments.
• The Process Specialist co-owns participates in the morning production meetings along with the Production Engineers prepared to provide input to process health.

Requirements:

• Must be available during off hours to address issues with plant operations.
• Must have a minimum of 7 years’ experience, in a polymers production facility.
• High school diploma required.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to coordinate activities with other departments.
• Must understand engineering basics and have a strong knowledge of overall plant operations with ample powder transfer and polymer extrusion experience.
• Must have the ability to motivate, develop and drive performance excellence through feedback, coaching and shared learning.
• Proficient computer skills required
• Must be familiar with ISO, Process Safety Management procedures and plant fire and safety regulations.
• Previous experience supervising hourly personnel is preferred.