Process Specialist

Job Purpose

Provide hands-on process expertise to support safe, compliant, reliable, and efficient resin manufacturing operations in a batch/continuous reactor-based chemical plant regulated under OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM). The Process Specialist is an independent contributor who partners closely with Production, Maintenance, Engineering, EHS, Quality, and Supply Chain to improve process performance, troubleshoot issues, implement changes, and sustain standardized operations.

Key Responsibilities

Process Safety & PSM Compliance
Serve as a key production/technical resource to ensure compliance with OSHA PSM and site process safety requirements for covered processes.
Support and/or lead assigned PSM elements, including:
Operating Procedures (develop, revise, and periodically certify; ensure procedures reflect safe operating limits and current equipment configuration)
Management of Change (MOC) technical input, implementation readiness, and field validation
Participate in Process Hazard Analyses (PHA) and support action item closure
Pre-Startup Safety Reviews (PSSR) for process changes, new equipment, and startups
Incident investigations / RCA and corrective action tracking
Mechanical Integrity interface (process/operability input and critical equipment understanding)
Process Safety Information (PSI) accuracy support (limits, safe operating envelopes, chemical hazards)
Promote a strong process safety culture through safe work practices, proactive hazard identification, and effective coordination with maintenance/contractors.

Daily Operations Support / Troubleshooting
Provide front-line process troubleshooting for reactor operations (e.g., charging, reaction control, heat removal, agitation, reflux/venting, filtration/transfer, sampling, off-spec prevention).
Monitor and analyze process performance and deviations using metrics such as RFT, MME, OEE, yield, cycle time, energy/utility usage, downtime, cost, and customer complaints; identify trends and recommend corrective actions.
Partner with Production, Maintenance, Engineering, and Quality to investigate and resolve equipment/process issues (e.g., temperature control loops, relief/vent systems, instrumentation reliability, fouling, polymerization upsets, batch variability), including coordination of corrective actions and follow-up.
Support safe startup/shutdown activities, abnormal situation management, and response to process alarms and deviations.

Continuous Improvement / Lean Execution
Identify, prioritize, and execute process improvements using structured methodologies (A3, RCA, PDCA, Lean/Six Sigma).
Improve batch consistency, reduce variability, and drive waste reduction (rework, scrap, solvent loss, off-spec product, changeover losses).
Support/lead ALPS/Lean initiatives and standard work implementation to improve safety, quality, delivery, and efficiency.

Documentation, Standardization & Training
Author, revise, and control SOPs, work instructions, process checklists, and troubleshooting guides to standardize best practices and meet PSM Operating Procedure requirements.
Support the development and execution of training plans for operators and shift leadership; coach and mentor new and tenured personnel on best practices, incident learnings, changes in operation, and call-to-action/abnormal scenarios.

Cross-Functional Coordination
Act as the production technical representative for site functional groups (EHS/PSM, Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, Logistics), ensuring production-related actions and follow-through are completed.
Communicate clearly across departments and shifts to align on priorities, downtime events, improvement activities, and safety/quality risks.
Support production planning/execution by providing technical input related to manufacturability, constraints, and run strategies.

Shift Support (As Needed)
Provide shift supervisory coverage/support for absences/vacations and during critical operating periods, consistent with training and site expectations.

Job Requirements

Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or related field and 3+ years of experience supporting manufacturing operations in a chemical/process industry environment or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated working knowledge of reactor-based chemical manufacturing and process control fundamentals (temperature/pressure control, reaction kinetics impacts, heat transfer, agitation/mixing, material compatibility).
Demonstrated experience working in an OSHA PSM-covered environment and supporting compliance activities (MOC, PHA, operating procedures, incident investigation, PSSR, etc.).
Proven ability to drive measurable process improvements using structured problem-solving methods (A3, RCA, PDCA, Lean/Six Sigma).
Experience with DCS/PLC systems and historian tools and basic control loop understanding/tuning concepts.
Strong communication and technical writing skills (ability to write clear, compliant SOPs and communicate effectively across shifts and departments).
Strong computer skills (Microsoft Office). Ability to work with plant data systems; Power BI/SharePoint capability preferred.
Must be able to work off-shifts as needed/required.

Preferred Qualifications
Experience in Resins/Coatings industry
Experience with Rockwell DCS.
Experience with quality systems in chemical manufacturing (spec management, SPC, CAPA).
Aptitude for technical writing is preferred.

Competencies

Accepting Direction
Accepting Responsibility
Acquiring Information

At AkzoNobel we are highly committed to ensuring an inclusive and respectful workplace where all employees can be their best self. We strive to embrace diversity in a context of tolerance. Our talent acquisition process plays an integral part in this journey, as setting the foundations for a diverse environment. For this reason we train and educate on the implications of our Unconscious Bias in order for our TA and hiring managers to be mindful of them and take corrective actions when applicable. In our organization, all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age or disability.