Production Superintendent

• 00029351

Contribute. Grow. Lead…with OxyChem. Looking for a challenge? Desire to achieve your true potential? OxyChem is a growing, action-oriented, safety driven chemical manufacturing company continually striving to be the best in the business while staying focused on environmental protection. The secret to our success has and will continue to be our people.

Occidental Chemical Corporation (OxyChem) is a leading North American manufacturer of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resins, chlorine and caustic soda – key building blocks for a variety of indispensable products such as plastics, pharmaceuticals and water treatment chemicals. Other OxyChem products include caustic potash, chlorinated organics, sodium silicates, chlorinated isocyanurates and calcium chloride. OxyChem's market position is among the top three producers in the United States in 2017 for the principle products it manufactures and markets. Based in Dallas Texas the company manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Canada and Latin America.

In a fast-paced industry that demands precision, we create a supportive workplace where the safety and well-being of our employees are paramount. We are committed to rewarding top performers, offering very competitive pay and benefits, and providing tremendous career development opportunities. We are looking for an experienced and self-motivated individual to fill the position of Production Superintendent with our Chemical Plant located in Niagara Falls, Ontario. The ideal candidate will have 8+ years of Production Engineering experience in chemical plant operations. Secondary consideration will be given to candidates with less production related experience for a Production Engineer role, who does not meet the qualifications for a Production Superintendent position but has the desire to grow into the Production Superintendent role.

Essential Job Duties: This position is accountable for all aspects of production in the PVC Unit. This includes the health, safety, environmental and security performance of the plant, production rates, product quality and costs. This position also provides leadership to the four shifts in PVC Operations as well as the Production Engineer. This position provides administrative oversight to PVC Operations for shift employee progression, the training program and operator testing. Will be expected to respond to process issues off hours. Must be able to respond to emergency call outs 24/7.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Provide supervision, direction and leadership to the Resin Department

• Supervises the Shift Supervisors, Training Coordinator, and Production Engineer for both the West and North production areas.

•Co-ordinates and administrates the Control Operator process specific training per the Oxy Vinyls Corporate Operator Certification Program. •Coordinates the plant shut-downs and related administration and identifies and communicates maintenance requirements on a daily basis to meet production targets.

• Liaises with other department Managers to ensure cooperation and maintenance issues are resolved in a timely manner.

• Communicates plant policies, strategies and procedures to departmental staff.

• Assists Shift Supervisors in dealing with disciplinary issues in consultation with Human Resources.

• Communicates production plans, operational changes and issues at department meetings.

• Ensures adequate shift manning is scheduled for intermittent and long-term illness and vacation of Control Operators and communicates with staff.

• Prepares and conducts performance appraisals, recommends skills training improvements, resolves employee issues/ concerns in consultation with Human Resources, maintains employee morale and facilitates team building and cooperation to ensure a positive work environment.

Operations:

• Liaises with the Shift Supervisors, Relief Supervisor, Relief Operators and Operators on a daily basis for shift needs and personnel issues.

• Ensures operational excellence is adhered to.

• Holds Incident Reviews if required and recommends discipline as required.

• Troubleshoots abnormal process variables and equipment malfunctions within the plant.

• Executes and manages the principles of Quality Management.

• Interacts with plant management staff to interpret short and long range production schedules, standard operating procedures, performance planning process, administrative policies, department position objectives and plant regulations.

• Updates and monitors training needs and direction as required.

• Interacts with the Logistics and Utilities department regarding updates on pigment shipments/inventory.

• Assists with managing the overall production plan for shutdowns. Develops with other staff’s input detailed shutdown, decontamination, and start-up plans for major plant shutdowns.

• Prepares and administers programs, methods, systems, and practices for reducing costs and improving employee and plant efficiency, safety, productivity, and reliability.

• Ensures consistency of operation, application of policies/procedures, and accountability across all shifts and among individuals.

• Partners with the maintenance department to identify, prioritize and schedule routine, capital and T/A maintenance work.

• Ability to execute small scale projects including process design.

• Issues Management of Change (MOC) for production area.

• Coordinates with the Production Engineer daily production requirements including production schedules, raw material ordering, quality assurance

• Reviews daily log sheets for production issues and interacts with operators, foreman and maintenance to discuss, troubleshoot and resolve process issues

• Reviews reaction trends to help optimize catalyst loadings (daily)

• Tracks cycle time performance and compiles cycle time goals and monthly data

• Tracks equipment status and performance (condenser, jacket and baffle flows, chipcatcher cleaning)

• Uses Active View and Process Books to monitor and analyze production data

• Participate in CSFI program by completing certain number of CSFI evaluations annually

• Attends daily maintenance and production meeting

• Issues the Daily Production Report

• Reviews daily log sheets for production issues and interacts with operators, foreman and maintenance to discuss, troubleshoot and resolve process issues

• Reviews reaction trends to help optimize catalyst loadings (daily)

• Tracks cycle time performance and compiles cycle time goals and monthly data

• Tracks equipment status and performance (condenser, jacket and baffle flows, chipcatcher cleaning)

• Uses ActiveView and Process Books to monitor and analyze production data

• Participate in CSFI program by completing certain number of CSFI evaluations annually

• Attends daily maintenance and production meeting

• Issues Daily Production Report Ensures plant is operated in a safe and environmentally sound manner

• Conducts daily work activities in support of HSE objectives and policies.

• Establishes "safety and environmental norms" as a work philosophy.

• Provides the necessary time, procedures, training, & equipment to protect employees & equipment.

• Liaises with Human Resources and recommends discipline for safety & operating violations.

• Ensures compliance with corporate and regulatory safety directives. Uses personal accountability to assist with carrying out duties, responsibilities and authority as defined in HSE programs, practices and procedures.

• Understands HSE policies and program. Works safely with respect to health and environmental requirements.

• Assists production units to safely prepare equipment for maintenance or contractor work.

• Interacts with the Safety Department, interprets the plant safety rules and safety program.

• Prepares permits for work by maintenance or contractors, approves permits within scope of responsibility, orders and recommends use of specific safety equipment to highlight safety preparations on work to be done.

• Specifies safety requirements and indicates the restrictions that maintenance/contractors have on operating equipment under their repair.

• Maintains protection of the environment and the health and safety of our employees, customers, and the communities in which we operate and or transport our products, as our highest priority.

• Ensures that Process Safety and Risk Management principles are incorporated into the foundation of department operations. Ensures annual departmental goals and objectives include meaningful Process Safety activities for all levels of the organization. Co-ordinates with the Plant Training Coordinator training requirements

• Administers the Operator certification and re-certification as required by Oxy Vinyls Corporate.

• Co-ordinates the yearly review of all operating procedures in both the production areas to ensure they are up to date.

• Oversee the re-training of all operating personnel on procedures at least every 3 years. (Approximately 250 procedures).

• Ensures that all training has been appropriately documented.

• Co-ordinates changes to operating procedures using the MOC system and log books.

Education:

• Successful completion of a University Degree in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering.

• Strong knowledge of plant processes and related systems.

• Sound knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and regulations.

• Knowledge of and ability to operate basic computer software applications including Microsoft Excel, Word, Power-point, Outlook, and to conduct research using the internet. (SAP knowledge preferred).

Experience:

• Minimum 8 years related Production Engineering experience in plant operations.

• Secondary consideration will be given to candidates with less production related experience for a Production Engineer role, who does not meet the qualifications for a Production Superintendent position but has the desire to grow into the Production Superintendent role.

• Must have related experience and be familiar with plant operations, systems, processes and procedures.

• Proven experience with diagnostic and problem solving skills.

• Previous supervisory experience including planning, coordinating, organizing and delegating work.

• Related experience in project planning, preparing reports and maintaining records.

• Excellent administrative, analytical and problem solving experience to resolve issues effectively.

• Strong interpersonal/communication and team building skills.

• Ability to deal with tact, diplomacy and courtesy.

• In addition, must have previous experience with Health and Safety practices and procedures in a manufacturing environment, ideally a chemical processing facility.

Oxy is an Equal Opportunity Employer