Technical Manager

Technical Manager – Chemical Manufacturing Houston, TX Position Summary We are seeking an experienced Technical Manager to lead technical and process engineering activities at a high-hazard chemical manufacturing facility. This role is responsible for driving process optimization, operational reliability, safety performance, sustainability initiatives, and capital project execution. The Technical Manager serves as a hands‑on leader for the technical organization and works closely with Operations, Maintenance, Reliability, and Leadership teams to improve production efficiency, product yield, plant reliability, and cost performance. This position also oversees site technology information, engineering standards, and technical development of engineering staff. Key Responsibilities Safety, Health & Environmental Leadership Promote and maintain a strong safety and compliance culture across all plant operations. Ensure compliance with all applicable environmental, health, and safety regulations and company standards. Support Process Safety Management (PSM) programs, Management of Change (MOC), incident investigations, corrective actions, and lessons learned initiatives. Participate in development and execution of long‑term SHE improvement plans. Technical & Process Leadership Lead plant optimization, process improvement, and quality initiatives. Develop and execute improvement plans aligned with business and operational goals. Drive initiatives focused on yield improvement, cost reduction, sustainability, productivity, and reliability. Provide technical support for operations, maintenance, troubleshooting, and process engineering activities. Partner with vendors, consultants, and technical service providers on engineering and process solutions. Ensure root cause failure analyses are completed effectively and corrective actions are implemented. Support integration of improvement opportunities into the site capital plan. Capital Projects & Engineering Management Manage technical resources supporting engineering projects and plant optimization programs. Oversee engineering project prioritization and execution. Manage technical budgets, forecasts, and engineering program deliverables. Maintain site technical documentation and engineering standards. Lead, coach, and develop engineering and technical personnel. Establish clear performance expectations and accountability. Support employee development, succession planning, and organizational capability building. Foster a collaborative, high‑performance team environment. Ensure alignment of technical priorities with overall business objectives. Qualifications Education & Experience Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical discipline. Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred. 10+ years of experience in chemical manufacturing or other high‑hazard process industries. Prior leadership or supervisory experience preferred. Strong experience managing technical teams, budgets, and process improvement initiatives. Technical Skills Demonstrated success implementing process improvements and operational optimization initiatives. Strong understanding of process engineering principles and plant operations. Ability to evaluate technical and commercial impacts of engineering decisions. Experience with root cause analysis and continuous improvement methodologies. Working knowledge of SAP, advanced Excel, and process simulation/optimization tools preferred. Experience with Aspen or similar process modeling software preferred. Strong leadership and team development capabilities. Excellent organizational and project management skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment. Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence cross‑functional teams. Strategic thinker with strong business and financial awareness. Comfortable making decisions in complex and dynamic operating environments. Key Performance Indicators Delivery of annual technical and capital budgets. Successful execution of engineering programs and optimization projects. Improvement in plant reliability, yield, and productivity metrics. Achievement of safety, environmental, and operational performance goals. Development and tracking of technical KPIs and action plans. Team performance, succession planning, and employee development progress. Additional Information Direct reports: Technical and engineering staff. Environment: High‑hazard chemical manufacturing facility. Cross‑functional collaboration with Operations, Maintenance, Reliability, Leadership, and external technical partners. #J-18808-Ljbffr