Production/Process Engineer

About Verdant Specialty Solutions

Verdant Specialty Solutions is a global specialty chemical company. Its customers include world-leading personal care and home care brands, energy solutions providers, and industrial companies. Verdant’s vision is to be the go-to provider of batch specialty surfactant-based chemistry for applications in the consumer and industrial markets. Based in Houston, the company has nine locations in the US and Europe. Verdant’s international team of 280 employees are committed to safety, quality, and supply reliability.

Why Join Verdant?

Opportunities for growth Verdant is a fast-growing company that has the spirit of a small business. The company was formed in May 2021, so every employee plays an important role in culture and performance. It offers a dynamic ‘start up’ atmosphere with opportunities for professional growth.

Committed to safety Despite having the spirit of a small business, Verdant rivals larger companies in its commitment to safety. Verdant prides itself on industry-leading environmental, safety, health and quality standards. At Verdant, there is no priority higher than safety

About the position The Production Engineer supports plant manufacturing through daily plant support, process assessment and troubleshooting, process optimization & improvement, data analysis, and compliance support to support agreed upon production, quality and compliance commitments for good manufacturing.  Role provides comprehensive technical support to plant site operations with impact to support the business. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Provides day-to-day technical support to analyze daily operations, troubleshoot process equipment, and identify measures to solve plant problems for improvement.
• Investigates quality issues (off-grade or abnormal batches) and customer complaints by providing root cause and implements corrective actions to address.
• Tracks and reports metrics (i.e. batch cycle time performance, Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and other metrics) to identify improvement opportunities for main process equipment and product lines.
• Supports compliance with OSHA PSM and EPA RMP for process activities by via involvement with MOC initiation, PSSR conduct, PSI updates, SOP reviews/upgrades, PHA revalidations, and Mechanical Integrity assistance.
• Provide capital and expense project support for project development and execution (process engineering, scope definition, project description, project justification and/or small project management) to facilitate operational improvements, improve reliability and enhance safety.
• Provide oversight and conduct special production campaigns for new product introduction/ technology transfer or evaluate raw material changes for impact on quality.
• Assist in training production operators in unit operations, chemistries, batch recipes including development of training content for process changes.
• Provide technical assistance with environmental compliance as needed with wastewater permits, air permits, and disposal permits in accordance with regulatory standards.
• Conducts and/or participates in incident investigations and root cause analysis, advising on corrective actions, coordinating action items execution.
• Special projects, as assigned.

Requirements

Education:

• BS ChE minimum required.

Experience:

• Minimum 3 years of work experience in chemical plant operations or engineering role (in Process and/or Project Engineering areas) or combination thereof.
• Chemical industry background – Batch Processes preferred.
• Experience with OSHA PSM & EPA RMP preferred.
• MS Office experience required; proficient in use of spreadsheets/engineering calculations.
• Experience with Root Cause Investigation (RCI) preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze, troubleshoot and solve chemical plant operating problems.
• Demonstrated ability to understand and learn processes, equipment and products.
• Solid communication skills, interpersonal skills and ability to interact effectively & build relationships.
• Individual must be organized, self-motivated, results oriented, and collaborative.
• Experience and knowledge of ISO-9001 QMS, nice to have.
• Experience and knowledge of ISO/RC 14001 EMS, nice to have.
• Experience with Capital Projects to help with project scoping/development (equipment sizing, heat loads, etc.) preferred.

Benefits

• Competitive and comprehensive health, dental and vision benefits through Cigna.
• Generous matching 401k Plan
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Health Savings Account with employer contribution and yearly roll over (cannot be combined with FSA)
• Health advocacy and services
• Company paid life insurance
• Company paid short term disability insurance
• Paid Vacation and Holidays
• Employee Assistance Program
• Other company paid programs including identity theft resolution, travel assistance, will preparation, discounts on gym membership and equipment, massage therapy, nutrition programs and smoking cessation.

EOE AA M/F/Vets/Disabled -- http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf