Technical Leader

Leads the Technical resources and activities for the plant. This includes Production Engineering, Project Engineering, Continuous Improvement, Process Controls, and New Product Scale-Up. Develops and drives continuous improvement projects to completion to improve the safety, production, uptime, efficiency, and quality of the site. Accountable for Cap Ex and OpEx program results and ensuring related KPI’s/goals are met. In conjunction with Production Engineers and Operations Leader, ensure productivity and quality metrics for the site are met.

• Direct Manager of Technical Professionals, including two process engineers, two continuous improvement professionals, one project engineer, and two process controls professionals.
• Abides by all safety procedures and practices applicable to location and position; participates in appropriate safety training, demonstrated commitment to and support of EHS principles and values; champions safety as necessary.
• In collaboration with EHS Department, oversee all aspects of Process Safety for the plant.
• Drives Key Performance Metrics related to quality, productivity, and continuous improvement. Prepares and presents related reports as needed.
• Accountable for the plant Cap Ex program budgeting, spending, and performance
• Accountable for the plant OpEx/CI program and champions all related initiatives/programs.
• Uses process knowledge, technologies, and skills to make improvements in plant safety, environmental performance, production performance, quality performance, and operating discipline.
• Stays abreast of the latest technical developments and identifies potential applications for applicability at the site.
• Guides Production Engineers to resolve process related deviations and problems.
• Provides technical expertise to plant personnel on troubleshooting failures, repairs, and evaluating whether equipment is designed to meet its intended or existing service conditions.
• Ensures collaboration within the site Technology Team, and between this team and the Maintenance and Operations Teams on productivity, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Participates/Leads Pre-Startup Safety Reviews and Root Cause Investigations.
• Mentors, coaches, motivates, establishes goals, and drives performance improvement within the Technology team.
• Ensure staff members adhere to established policies, procedures, and controls.
• Champions an EH&S-first mindset within the Technology Team and throughout the site.
• Participates in 24 hour on-call rotation with other professional technical personnel on site.
• Other duties as assigned by Plant Manager or Business Management Team.

10+ years in Chemical Manufacturing Setting required, 15+ years preferred. 3+ years of proven supervisory skills leading other professionals required, 8+ years desirable. Previous experience leading a technical team in a polymer manufacturing setting is strongly preferred.

Strong problem-solving, negotiation, accountability, and diplomacy skills required.

Strong knowledge of process equipment and functions required.

Experience/Certification in 6 Sigma and/or Lean Methodologies is strongly desired.

Intermediate level skills at Microsoft Word, Excel and Power Point. Experience with databases, statistical software, and SAP preferred.

Safety – Executes all responsibilities with a Safety-First mindset;
Champions EH&S principles and values

Ethics – Treats people with respect;
Inspires the trust of others;
Works with integrity and ethically;
Upholds organizational values.

Planning/Organizing – Prioritizes and plans work activities;
Uses time efficiently. Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time. Follows instructions, responds to management direction.

Communication – Listens and gets clarification;
Responds well to questions;
Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations. Writes clearly and informatively. Able to read and interpret written information.

Teamwork – Balances team and individual responsibilities;
Gives and welcomes feedback;
Contributes to building a positive team spirit;
Puts success of team above own interests;
Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.…