Location: Grand Rapids
Job Title: Production Technician
SITUATION IN ORGANIZATION
Position reports directly to the Grand Rapids Production Manager.
JOB DIMENSIONS
This job is responsible for the manufacturing, packaging, and distribution of specialty chemical resins. Batch manufacturing includes charging raw materials, processing batches, monitoring and recording key process parameters, and troubleshooting. Other Technician responsibilities include: loading, unloading, cleaning equipment, packaging product, maintaining a safe and orderly work area, assisting other production areas as needed, and overall plant Housekeeping.
KEY ACTIVITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Production Operations-65%
Production Floor responsibilities include: packaging finished product, loading tank trucks, cleaning process equipment, preparing thin tanks for resin batches, gathering raw materials for pre-stages as needed
Building 7 responsibilities include: operating blend tanks, handling monomer and catalyst charges, completing dispersion and emulsion batches after they are transferred from the reactor, performing any needed in-process QC testing
Kettle responsibilities include: loading reactors with raw materials, monitoring and troubleshooting batch process parameters, performing in process and final product QC testing, and safe-work/high-hazard work permitting
Follow operating procedures for job tasks
Operate forklift to move materials around the plant
Performs tasks assigned to operations (raw material charges, equipment preparation, process samples, etc).
Daily communications-10%
Meetings-Safety, Shift Change, Shift planning
Coordinate daily activities with and report any issues to the Production Team Lead
Maintain proper housekeeping practices in the production area.
Routine use of a computer to communicate via e-mail, complete online training and other tasks as assigned.
Support other Production Team members as needed, if properly trained for the task
HESQ -15%
Complete required Training assignments on-time: computer based, instructor led, and on the job
Follow HES and Operating Discipline procedures and practices to ensure safe and efficient operation of assigned plant areas.
Proper handling/disposal of hazardous waste materials
Follows housekeeping and safety procedures to ensure personal safety and the safety of others.
As required, participate in Root Cause Investigations.
Understand and execute Emergency Response procedures to mitigate unplanned events in the process.
Support all AIMS initiatives
Ensure workplace safety by participating in the Behavior Based Safety Observation program
Participate in HSEQ activities provided by site management, Arkema Coating Resins and Arkema, Inc. including
Operates and field checks process equipment. Monitors process conditions, equipment and control systems.
Continuous Improvement-10%
Performs in-depth troubleshooting of process equipment and systems to resolve process deviations and problems.
Uses plant knowledge and skills to make improvements in plant performance.
Helps troubleshoot plant and customer problems.
Contributes to value creation by continuous improvement of procedures, the operations work processes and related tools and performance metrics.
All other duties as assigned.
CONTEXT AND ENVIRONMENT
(INCLUDE % TRAVEL, IF APPLICABLE; THREE HES REFERENCES BELOW ARE REQUIRED ON ALL DESCRIPTIONS; SITE MAY HAVE ADDITIONAL HES REFERENCES; FOR PHYSICAL DEMANDS REFER TO THE JOB DEMAND FORM FOR THIS ROLE)
This position will be based in Grand Rapids, MI.
Comply with the HSEQ Policy.
Comply with Regulations, Legal and Internal Requirements of Arkema/CS.
Comply with the rules of the specific location to which one is assigned as well as the rules set by the business unit (BU) and Arkema Inc.
Comply with all standard procedures and work instructions, aka SP, SOP, PWI, TM, to ensure productivity, quality assurance and cost effectiveness.
Review their work areas for potential losses and Report hazards to the direct supervisor.
Report Near Misses to the direct supervisor; report Incidents or Accidents to the direct supervisor. Identify and communicate potential gains or possible improvements to the management system.
Supports the site HES policy and complies with all regulatory and internal requirements
Participates in HES activities provided by site management and Arkema Inc. (e.g., Behavioral Base Safety,
SafeStart, etc.)
Supports and promotes the reporting of all health, safety, environmental, near-miss, accident or injury incident
REQUIRED EDUCATIONQUALIFICATIONS WORK EXPERIENCE
Must have a high school diploma/GED
Experience in a chemical manufacturing environment preferred
Must be a safety-conscious, highly motivated team player who is able to work independently
Must be able to climb ladders, work outside in all weather conditions, lift up to 50lbs and wear PPE including full face air purifying respirator
Must be willing to work overtime as needed
DEMONSTRATED COMPETENCIES
Effectively communicate in a team environment
Willingness to learn
Ability to follow and improve procedures
Hazard recognition/awareness
Assist to resolve problems (both pro and retroactively)
Contribute to continuous improvement

Building on its unique set of expertise in materials science, Arkema designs materials to address the ever-growing demand for innovative and sustainable materials, driven by the challenges of new energies, new technologies, the depletion of resources, mobility, and increasing urbanization.