Chemical Operator Job

Arkema has established itself as France’s leading chemical producer and a world leader in specialty chemicals and advanced materials. With annual sales of €8.8 billion and 20,000 people employed in some 55 countries, the Group pursues ambitious recruitment objectives both in France and around the world. Arkema offers diverse employment opportunities in 200 job functions and professions in four major fields: industrial, R&D, business, and support functions.

Reaching far beyond your discoveries!

Regarded as one of the world’s leading innovators, Arkema has made research one of the pillars of its strategy. For example by discovering new solutions to help reduce the weight of materials, hence cut down consumption. By developing innovative thermal insulation systems that can optimize the energy performance of buildings. Or by seeking new applications for its biosourced products at the service of greater sustainable development.

Innovative and durable solutions

Our high performance products have applications in wide-ranging areas, from new generation car batteries or telephones to recyclable wind turbine blades, from adhesives for the protective backsheets of solar panels to drinking water filtration systems, from running shoes and acrylic resins with no solvent and no volatile organic compound for 3D printing to molecular sieves for portable oxygen devices used by people suffering from respiratory failure… Joining Arkema means being part of a Group enjoying sustained growth that in little more than a decade has built up an exemplary achievement record, setting high ambitions for itself and for its employees. All our job opportunities are open to people with disabilities at equal merit or with equal skill levels.

CHEMICAL PLANT PRODUCTION OPERATOR

SItuation in organization

Reports to Operations Manager

Job dimensions

This job exists to provide overall plant operation support to the Torrance Latex Plant. Technician will carry out various tasks in the preparation and storage of products using reactors, pumps, vessels, tanks and other manufacturing equipment. Batch processing includes charging material, processing batches, monitoring and record keeping data. Some of the responsibilities are loading, unloading and cleaning equipment, packaging product, maintaining a safe and orderly work area, assisting other production areas as needed and overall plant Housekeeping. Monitoring and system operation of plant utilities.

Activities

Key job responsibilities:

• Yard responsibilities include, but are not limited to, sampling, weighing and inspecting loads, loading and shipping trucks, railcars, and iso-containers within scheduled time, filling and packaging drums & totes, and general plant housekeeping.
• Floor responsibilities include, but are not limited to, latex filtering and transferring, QC analysis, maintaining production board, equipment sterilization, completing checklist and inspections, operating basket cleaner, and general plant housekeeping.
• Reactor responsibilities include, but are not limited to, maintaining and weighing required raw materials, starting up and transferring batches to minimize reactor downtime, using PCS7 and batch control center, and general plant housekeeping.
• Utility responsibilities include, but are not limited to, performing checks, inspections and blow downs, responding to utility alarms, and general plant housekeeping.
• Follows Operating Discipline principles, procedures, and practices to ensure safe and efficient operation
• Operates and field checks process equipment. Monitors process conditions, equipment, and control systems
• Performs tasks assigned to operations using the Operational Excellence Task List (e.g. field checks, equipment preparation, samples, etc.)
• Ensures operational activities and process performance are aligned with plant and business goals
• - Uses troubleshooting skills to resolve process-related deviations and problems; initiates work requests in SAP as needed.
• Uses process knowledge and skills to make improvements in plant performance and Operating Discipline.
• Performs process equipment troubleshooting, improvements, and preventative maintenance utilizing appropriate processes and disciplines.
• Actively participates on empowered teams.
• Expected to use or develop computer skills and participate in procedure writing/verification and other AIMS activities.
• Utilize "troubleshooting skills" to identify issues and report them to maintenance for repair (e.g., small leaks, replace valves, steam traps, etc.)
• Participate in the Immediate Response Training and participate in the IR team as required
• Support and champion BU safety initiatives and programs.
• Participate on EH&S improvement teams and complete related action items.
• Identify potential safety issues, communicate hazards and complete follow up actions to mitigate.
• Improve Asset Utilization. Improve plant Startup and Shutdown Operating Discipline to reduce production loss events.
• Complete Operator Minor Maintenance activities to reduce maintenance costs and reduce production loss events.
• Contribute to the Business and Site AIM Initiative
• Improve Unit Operating Efficiencies and reduce energy consumption by monitoring equipment and recognizing abnormal situations.
• Ensure waste material / hazardous waste is disposed of properly and receive annual RCRA training.
• HSEQ responsibilities: Employee is expected to maintain a healthful and safe working environment and is further expected to:
• Meet all legal, regulatory and other *requirements of the site through general awareness and training.
• Participate in HSEQ *activities provided by the site management. Arkema Coating Resins and Arkema, Inc.
• Identify and communicate the potential gains and possible improvements related to the work environment and management system through employee suggestion programs, during group meetings, or through *other identified communication tools.
• Report all health, safety, environmental and quality (HSEQ) near-miss, accident or injury incidents to their supervisor and the HES Coordinator or site manager through *means identified during orientation or *refresher training.
• Remain in compliance with the *rules, *standard procedures and *work instructions related to the specific job title and site location.
• Complete *assigned training through Arkema learning management system or attendance to assigned Web-Ex or Instructor Led Training (ILT) classes.

• 
  Employee will be provided tools and references during orientation or during initial and refresher training to ensure his/her access to and knowledge of these expectations.

Note: The responsibilities listed are not all inclusive and there may be other tasks operators will be responsible to complete.

Context and environment

• This job will require working a 12 hour rotating shift.
• The successful candidate will begin on shift training in an assigned area of the plant. The candidate will train with other Process Technicians and learn assigned plant areas in accordance with norms established by the empowered team. Once employee is certified in the different areas, the employee must maintain up to date certification.
• This job requires working scheduled and unscheduled overtime.

Qualifications / experience required

High School Diploma or equivalent combination of education and experience required. Previous chemical or manufacturing experience and computer skills are preferred. Must be able to follow written and verbal instructions, have good math skills, be able to work independently, be able to execute strenuous physical activities, work indoors and outdoors, and be able to work any shift.

A designer of materials and innovative solutions, Arkema shapes materials and creates new uses that accelerate customer performance. Our balanced business portfolio spans high-performance materials, industrial specialties and coating solutions. Our globally recognized brands are ranked among the leaders in the markets we serve. Reporting annual sales of €8.8 billion ($10.4 billion USD) in 2018, we employ approximately 20,000 people worldwide and operate in close to 55 countries. We are committed to active engagement with all our stakeholders. Our research centers in North America, France and Asia concentrate on advances in bio-based products, new energies, water management, electronic solutions, lightweight materials and design, home efficiency and insulation.

Arkema Inc. provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Arkema Inc. complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence.