Operations Specialist

With a strategy centered on people and sustainability, Braskem is engaged in contributing to the value chain to strengthen the Circular Economy. Braskem’s 9,000 team members dedicate themselves every day to improving people's lives through sustainable solutions in chemicals and plastics. With its corporate DNA rooted in innovation, Braskem offers a comprehensive portfolio of plastic resins and chemical products for diverse industries, such as food packaging, construction, manufacturing, automotive, agribusiness, health and hygiene, and more. With 40 industrial units in Brazil, the United States, Mexico, and Germany, Braskem exports its products to clients in over 70 countries.

Braskem America is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Braskem S.A. headquartered in Philadelphia. The company is the leading producer of polypropylene in the United States, with six production plants located in Texas, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, as well as an Innovation and Technology Center in Pittsburgh and a New Renewable Innovation Center in Lexington, which focuses on leveraging groundbreaking developments in biotechnology and chemical catalysis. For more information, visit www.braskem.com/usa.

Department: Manufacturing

Location: Neal, WV

Travel Involved: 0%

The Operations Specialist is responsible for managing operations department training requirements and supporting daily production direction and oversight through interaction with staff, shift leaders, and Operators/Technicians to achieve business objectives.  Provide technical support for the Production Group to accomplish business goals.

• Conduct job specific technical training to plant operators.
• Conduct operator recertification training as required.
• Monitor and establish schedules for operator recertification training to ensure compliance with Braskem and external requirements.
• Prepare job specific training curriculum for each job classification.
• Maintain controlled copies on SharePoint of job specific training curriculum for each job classification and provide for CBT module development.
• Ensure that technical information contained in the unit operating manual/procedures is accurate and available in the required amount of detail.
• Participate in and represent the Neal Site in the Braskem Production Trainer Forum.
• Review, revise, and approve new or modified operations procedures to ensure accuracy and applicability.
• Assist with implementing and training of Neal plant operating procedures.
• Maintain technical knowledge of day-to-day operations.
• Participate in Daily Production Team Meeting.
• Serve as a technical resource for team members - assist team members when planning work, troubleshooting process deviations or upsets, executing startup and shutdown activities, and managing emergency situations.
• Monitor, develop, and modify key unit performance parameters.
• Coach operators on unit performance management.
• Develop tools that improve unit operations.
• Provide technical and operational expertise in the review of existing operational procedures.
• Assist with creating a safe work environment by utilizing risk analysis, job hazard analysis, and risk assessments.
• Provide mentorship to department team members.
• Lead or serve as team member for incident investigations
• Provide operations department representation for key activities such as PHA’s, Capital project development and execution, and corrective maintenance prioritization.
• Advocate for technical improvements, working actively between Operations, Maintenance, and technical disciplines
• Support planned turnaround activities including
  • Scope development/refinement.
  • Clearing and blinding strategy development.
  • Work plan review and validation - walkdowns.
  • Staffing plan development.
  • Shutdown and startup schedule development.
  • LOTO Development
• Create and maintain controlled copies of Blind Lists for Equipment and Systems on SharePoint.
• Create and maintain controlled copies of LOTO plans for Equipment and Systems on SharePoint
• Provide expertise and review for MOCs

• Must be available during off hours to address issues with plant operations.
• Must have a minimum of 5 years’ experience in a polymers production facility.
• High school diploma required.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to coordinate activities with other departments.
• Must understand engineering basics and have a strong knowledge of overall plant operations.
• Must have the ability to motivate, develop, and drive performance excellence through feedback, coaching, and shared learning.
• Proficient computer skills required
• Must be familiar with ISO, Process Safety Management procedures, and plant fire and safety regulations.
• Previous experience supervising hourly personnel is preferred.

What we offer

At Braskem, we offer more than just a competitive pay package. Our total rewards package includes a wide range of benefits you need for every stage of your life. Our benefits include:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits
• Retirement Benefits
• Maternity and Paternity Leave
• Life Insurance
• Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Teladoc
• A wide range of voluntary benefits like Pet Insurance, Legal and ID Theft Insurance
• Flexible work schedules like 9/80 schedules for eligible team members

Depending on qualifications, the successful candidate may be offered a position at a more appropriate level and/or ladder.

Candidates must be currently eligible to work in the United States without the need for any type of sponsorship now or in the future. Braskem is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates and employees according to applicable law. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. If you require reasonable accommodation as part of the application process, please contact the Talent Acquisition team.