Process Specialist

About AkzoNobel

Since 1792, we've been supplying the innovative paints and coatings that help to color people's lives and protect what matters most. Our world class portfolio of brands - including Dulux, International, Sikkens and Interpon - is trusted by customers around the globe. We're active in more than 150 countries and use our expertise to sustain and enhance the fabric of everyday life. Because we believe every surface is an opportunity. It's what you'd expect from a pioneering and long-established paints company that's dedicated to providing sustainable solutions and preserving the best of what we have today - while creating an even better tomorrow. Let's paint the future together.

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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 Responsibilites

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.

Rewards & Benefits

Base salary range for this role is: $85,000 to $95,000. This is the range that we in good faith anticipate relying on when setting wages for this position. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This salary range may also be modified in the future.

• Benefits start on day 1
• 401K retirement savings with 6% company match
• Medical insurance with HSA
• Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D benefits
• Generous vacation, sick and holiday pay
• Annual bonus upto 7.5%
• Short & Long term disability
• Paid Parental leave after 1 year
• Career growth opportunities
• Active Diversity & Inclusion Networks
• Employee referral bonus

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.