Lead Operations / Quality Technician

Lead Operations / Quality TechnicianLocation: Cottage Grove, MN (AMG) - ASUHow will you contribute and grow?We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace that embraces the unique perspectives of our employees, our customers, patients, community stakeholders, and cultures across the world. We believe that a variety of backgrounds makes our team stronger and more innovative.Airgas is hiring for a Lead Operations/Quality Technician - Cottage Grove, MN. At Airgas, we respect, honor, and value diversity. We are invested in cultivating a dynamic and inclusive culture.We are looking for you!$38 -$42/hr.5% Annual BonusSchedule: Mon-Fri normal business hours, occasional overtime and night / weekend coverageTravel as business needs demand, around 5%Excellent Benefits: Airgas offers a full benefits package that includes: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, Short Term and Long Term Disability Insurance, Vacation, Sick, Paid Holidays, 401(k) Retirement Plan with company match, Tuition Assistance and much more! Benefits start after 30 days of employmentThe primary function of this job is the operational leadership at the facility and to assist the Plant / Facility Manager in the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the facility. The Lead Operations / Quality Technician (LOQT) manages the processes that ensure that products and services are of the highest quality.Essential Duties & Responsibilities:Operational Duties:This role encompasses a wide range of responsibilities, including participating in operational and routine maintenance tasks within the facility work group without interruption of customer product deliveries, making plant and process decisions and performing process troubleshooting.Additionally, it involves studying and maintaining site-specific Standard Operating Procedures, Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&ID's), Process Flow Diagrams, and all other technical documentation as it relates to operational or equipment processes.The Lead Plant Operator Technician will also conduct Acceptance Test/Pre Start-up Reviews (PSSR) with Operations & Maintenance, ensure accurate and complete information in maintenance Work Orders, determine if immediate maintenance action is required, document it, and report it to the appropriate personnel.Other essential tasks include generating initial documentation for on-site contractors, vendors, guests, or visitors site-specific training needs, escorting on-site contractors, vendors, guests, or visitors throughout the facility as needed, ensuring that contractors, visitors, co-workers, and others comply with National Safety Policies and Procedures.In addition, it involves actively participating and sharing the lead in the facility safety meetings and inspections/Audits, Facility Operations and Customer Relations Development and loading and unloading cryogenic transports as necessary.Communication & Collaboration:The Lead Plant Operator Technician is expected to actively pursue one's own growth and career development through self-initiative practices and working with resources made available as coordinated with the supervisor. Part of this role will also be to foster open communication amongst all facility technicians in relation to best practices, operational or Facility needs, safety issues or concerns, conflicts of interest between shifts or other departments, and sharing operational knowledge and expertise with all other Technicians.This role involves assisting and working closely with Level 1-4 Technicians with daily facility needs including: Administrative function responsibilities as delegated by the Plant Manager, facility record keeping and documentation, Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) input and work order generation and may also need to provide direction to Level 1-4 Technicians as assigned by the Plant manager for coverage, training, schedules and daily task assignments.Shift Coverage and Rotation:In this role the individual must follow policies and procedures on proper notification procedures for scheduling vacation, floating holidays, and personal days off. It is also expected that the Lead Plant Operator Technician fills in for vacations and emergency shift relief coverage, as situations warrant.This role requires participation in a rotational on-call schedule to support the plant during nights and weekends.Safety & Compliance Functions:This role includes a commitment to the strict adherence to company policies and safety guidelines as well as meeting or exceeding the company's safety goals, standards and policies. This role is also expected to instill safety in others, by being safety minded and modeling good safety practice.Additionally, the position involves supporting, accurately completing, maintaining, and instilling corporate Health, Safety, and Environmental policies & procedures and relevant documentation at the facility in operating and maintaining responsibility for a safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly facility.This role places a strong emphasis on the understanding of governmental regulations including environmental permitting and compliance, loading/quality assurance, basic electricity, National & Local Operating Procedures, CMMS and maintenance management process, and All Health and Safety Executive (HSE) issues associated with the facility.This position is expected to comply with all regulatory agencies and requirements including, but not limited to Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and company quality policies and procedures.Are you a match?Minimum Qualifications:To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each job duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.Required Education:Associates degree desirable or technical training (or equivalent experience) required.Required Length & Type of Experience:5+ years of related operations experience.Experience within Quality Assurance in a processing environment.Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:Working knowledge of Food Safety Programs.Trained on and calibrates analyzers.Performs minor maintenance activities; Maintains local spare parts; Performs minor PM activities.Performs Air Separation Units (ASU)/Nitrogen Liquefaction Unit (NLU) /Liquid Carbon Dioxide (LCO2) /High Pressure Nitrogen (HPN) cold plant start-up (H2 warm); performs routine Vacuum Swing Adsorption (VSA) start-up (if applicable).Monitors, understands and can explain Facility KPI's; Updates downtime in Systems Applications and Products (SAP) and/or Lucene Image retrieval (LIRE) when required.Applies process safety programs (Management of Change, etc.) to operations.Ability to understand plant Interlock Schedule including what triggers Interlocks and Shutdowns, and what resulting actions occur. Demonstrates detailed understanding of Piping and Instrumentation Diagram (P&IDs) and can draw plant process schematic from memory.Participates in root cause analysis for incidents, near misses, Good Catches; Troubleshoots single piece of equipment for root cause of abnormal situation.Board operations, start-up and shutdown without assistance from senior level or can direct start-up and shutdown activities requiring multiple technicians, basic plant troubleshooting.Coordinates major maintenance activities. Completes complex safe-work permitting and Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO).Alarm management and troubleshoots subsystems for root cause of abnormal situations.Physical Demands:May be assigned and must be willing to work rotating shifts.May be required to be on call and shares "On-call" responsibilities with Facility Manager as needed.Must be able to wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including, hardhat, safety glasses, safety shoes/boots, ear protection, and possible respirator protection.Must be able to lift 60 lbs.Must be willing to travel as needed for training or to support other sites.Follows policies and procedures and adheres to notification procedures for vacation scheduling, floating holidays, and personal days off.Fills in for vacations and emergency shift relief coverage as situations warrant.Work Environment:Occasional regional travel.Moderate overnight travel.Must have reliable, appropriate transportation.Job requires visitation to various Airgas and customer sites, which have varying environments/conditions, layouts, and accessibility.Your differences enhance our performanceAt Airgas, we are committed to building a workplace that embraces the diversity of our employees, our customers, patients, community stakeholders