Plant Process Engineer

Req No. 1486BR
Job Title Plant Process Engineer
Employment Status Full Time
Location US-PA-Allentown
Organization Global Operations
Job Description and Qualifications Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., a Fortune 500 manufacturer of industrial gases and chemicals, has an immediate opening for a Plant Process Engineer at our Corporate Headquarters in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

This is a ladder position and assignments can be configured to match the background of the successful candidate. Performance Materials has identified more than $25MM/yr in potential productivity improvements that require Chemical and Industrial Engineering expertise. The work is widely varied and flexibility to and by candidates is a must.

The successful candidate will perform Plant Process Engineering and productivity improvement for the Performance Materials Growth Platform Division (PMGP). This position will support various work for the 11 PMGP facilities or ongoing acquisitions. Key PMGP technologies include epoxies, polyurethane chemicals, ethoxylations, acetylenics, and specialty amines. Periods of travel (including possible international travel) are required averaging as much as one week per month or if mutually agreed more than one week per month.

The position will report to the Plant Process Engineering organization that has consistently delivered more than $20MM/yr in productivity benefits to the fast growing and highly profitable Performance Materials Growth Platform.

Primary responsibilities of the position may include:

1. Identify productivity improvement opportunities. Areas of emphasis include: manufacturing cost reduction, capacity improvements/cycle time reductions, supply chain flow and cost improvement, waste handling and reduction, raw materials, utilities consumption/cost/supply and production process reliability.

2. Conduct process engineering evaluation of production unit operations and facility utilities, screen options, investigate and identify process bottlenecks and constraints, map system capability and rank solutions with necessary cost-benefit analyses.

3. Identify, develop and design improved operating and control strategies to achieve productivity targets. Develop tracking programs and metrics for plant optimization and efficiency, and monitor the targets against budget/expected performance.

4. Analyze plant performance and work with the operations and supply chain team to ensure the plant operates optimally. Develop and install systems that ensure plant operators and line management understand the optimal run-point for each process to achieve efficiency targets.

5. Develop project scope, estimate project cost and benefits, develop capital expenditure authorization documents and propose appropriate execution strategy for best fit with resources and benefits case. Execute productivity projects with small Global Operations teams.

6. Work with the facility operations staff and line management to identify, communicate and transfer best operating facility practices. Use idea generation methods , engage the operations team in opportunity identifications and screen opportunities for implementation. Support and execute Global Operations plant productivity assessments.

7. Provide support for the facility process safety activities through implementation of management of change associated with asset management projects , operating plant hazard review revalidation, execution of project hazards reviews, completing ophr action items, and support of environmental permitting.

8. Provide process-engineering consultation and support to the site’s Production organization to help troubleshoot and resolve process operating problems. Assist operations to resolve product quality, reliability and operability issues.

9. Use Lean and/or Continuous Improvement methods to facilitate improvements.


Minimum Qualifications:

B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering or Industrial Engineering.
3 or more years of process engineering or chemical plant engineering experience.

Beneficial Experience/Skills:
Knowledge of chemical operations, preferably chemical engineering aplications involving batch operations including reaction, distillation, solids handling, heat exchange, utilities, process control and automation is a plus.
Alternatively, knowledge of lean manufacturing techniques in packaged chemical production operations (i.e., Industrial Engineering applications to batch Chemical Plants)
Able to work in a hands-on environment in an operating plant.
Able to work in groups, interacting with commercial people, plant operators , maintenance, production engineers, plant supervision and line management
Prior experience conducting process plant optimization.
Prior experience working in a specialty materials plant or any APCI operating plant
Exposure to cost estimation, project engineering and project development
Familiarity using process safety tools and risk analysis
Experience with process modeling a plus.
Air Products (NYSE:APD) serves customers in industrial, energy, technology and healthcare markets worldwide with a unique portfolio of atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials, and equipment and services. Founded in 1940, Air Products has built leading positions in key growth markets such as semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, home healthcare services, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. The company is recognized for its innovative culture, operational excellence and commitment to safety and the environment. Air Products has annual revenues of $10 billion, operations in over 40 countries, and 22,000 employees around the globe. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com.
To apply for this position, please visit the Air Products Career Center at www.airproducts.com/careers. Click on North America, then select Career Center. You can apply specifically to Job Req # 1486.If you are a current Air Products employee, please apply via APOnline by clicking on Online Applications, then selecting Career Center.

We thank all applicants in advance for their interest; however, only those applicants who are being considered for an interview, or are currently employed by Air Products, will be contacted.
Air Products is an equal opportunity employer (M/F/D/V) where diversity matters.
Type of Relocation Benefits Provided Domestic


For more information on this position, please email Rabbi Torczyner at torczyner@gmail.com.