Production Technician - Operator

About Umicore

Powering the cars of today and tomorrow. Reducing harmful emissions. Giving unique properties to high-end applications. Giving new life to used metals. As a global advanced materials and recycling group, we develop, produce, and recycle materials for a better life.

About Fuel Cell and Stationary Catalysts

High-performance stationary catalysts. Next generation fuel-cell technologies. With clean air and green mobility playing a vital part in protecting the world of tomorrow, our design and production of these sustainable solutions has never been more crucial. Developing innovative products for a broad range of industries, we’re creating a better future by helping customers reach zero emission mobility and power supply. To keep improving the way the world moves we cannot stand still. We need to find new ways to do things, discover new solutions and develop new ideas. Which is where you come in.

Job Purpose

The Automation Process Operator is a highly skilled technical operations role responsible for the safe, compliant, and optimized operation of automated manufacturing systems within a continuous process manufacturing environment. This position serves as the frontline technical authority for process control, equipment operation, automated system monitoring, process troubleshooting, product quality assurance, inventory accuracy, material accountability, and operational reliability across assigned production units.

Key Responsibilities

Process Safety Management (PSM) and Regulatory Compliance

• Operate all process systems in full compliance with Process Safety Management (PSM), OSHA, environmental, ISO, and company safety standards.
• Maintain strict adherence to operating procedures, safe work practices, permit systems, lockout/tagout (LOTO), and operational safeguards.
• Identify, communicate, and respond to abnormal operating conditions, process deviations, equipment malfunctions, and environmental concerns.
• Support safe execution of startups, shutdowns, line breaks, maintenance activities, and emergency response situations.
• Ensure accurate reporting and documentation of safety incidents, near misses, environmental deviations, and process abnormalities.
• Maintain operational discipline and procedural compliance to minimize process risk and ensure personnel and equipment safety. 
• Actively support site safety culture initiatives and operational risk reduction programs. 

Automated Process Operations and Control

• Start, stop, monitor, control, and optimize automated manufacturing equipment and process systems through DCS and field operations.
• Continuously monitor process variables, alarms, trends, interlocks, and equipment performance to maintain safe and stable operating conditions.
• Utilize process data, operating trends, and system diagnostics to identify process abnormalities and implement corrective actions.
• Operate within defined process control strategies, operating limits, and product specifications.
• Maintain detailed awareness of unit operating conditions, equipment status, production constraints, and process performance indicators.
• Execute operational directives and process adjustments issued by Engineering, Production Management, or Technical Services.
• Support operational continuity through effective shift communication, detailed shift turnover, and accurate documentation of operating conditions.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience
• Advanced understanding of continuous process manufacturing operations.
• Strong proficiency in Distributed Control Systems (DCS) and automated process control systems.
• Extensive knowledge of process equipment, instrumentation, utilities, valves, pumps, motors, and automated manufacturing systems.
• Strong understanding of SAP production transactions, inventory management, and material consumption reporting.
• Strong understanding of process troubleshooting, alarm response, and abnormal situation management.
• Knowledge of Process Safety Management (PSM) requirements and operational risk management principles.
• Understanding of ISO quality systems, traceability requirements, and manufacturing compliance standards.
• Ability to interpret process trends, operating data, P&IDs, equipment information, SAP production data, and system alarms.
• Strong understanding of process flow, inventory movement, system interactions, and operational impacts across integrated manufacturing systems.

What we offer

We aim to lead the way. Not just for our customers, but for our employees too. That is why we strive to create a collaborative environment in which we can all succeed, and a culture through which we can all share ideas, develop our expertise and advance our careers. We engage in building an inclusive work culture that offers equal opportunities for all employees irrespective of their diverse backgrounds. As you would expect from a world-leading organisation, we will also reward your contribution with a competitive salary and benefits. With all this and more, imagine what you could do?