Global Polypropylene Process Engineer

Basic Function

The Global Process Engineering organization provides leadership and technical support to LyondellBasell (LYB) manufacturing plants globally to create solutions for everyday sustainable living, including Joint Ventures upon Technology Transfer request as applicable.

The Global Polymer and Catalyst Process Engineering Team is responsible for driving ever-better performance at related sites to grow and upgrade the core of LYB. Collaboration with subject matter experts based on assigned technologies across LYB globally will support efforts to build a profitable circular & low carbon solutions business as well as step up performance and culture.

The Polypropylene (PP) Process Expert position is expected to provide process and operational expertise relevant to reactor feed quality, reactor optimization, modification of process condition (MPC) trials, and support of extrusion through finishing to ship product to customers. Subject matter expertise pertaining to Catalloy, Spherizone, Liquid Propylene Pool Process (LIPP), Polybutene (PB) and other technologies complimentary to existing Global Polymer Process Owner subject matter expertise, especially in Spheripol and Novolen technologies, is preferred. This position provides impactful collaboration by focusing on process conditions and technologies in order to achieve best in class performance for process safety, reliable production, operating efficiency, sustainability, and people development.

This will be achieved through:

• Applying experience and subject matter expertise to champion people, strive for excellence and shape the future of PP and assigned technologies.
• Driving manufacturing site process improvements, especially across sites as applicable 
• Global Process Ownership, via network vision, annual goals, and use of TKM
• An outside-in perspective to understand applicable industry benchmarks and site performance metrics to identify best practices and opportunities for improvement
• Development (or updates) of applicable Operations Excellence documents to establish expectations to support sites attainment of desired performance goals

It is preferred that the individual is located at Houston Engineering Center (HEC), or a Polypropylene manufacturing site, to collaborate with subject matter experts to drive differential outcome. Strategic travel will be expected to visit highest priority sites, HEC, and/or R&D locations periodically for input and align on continuous improvement plans.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Think globally, and drive to achieve LyondellBasell Corporate goals and ambitions
• Global subject matter expert to support individual site PP and other assigned polymer process engineering needs day to day, including timely collaborative troubleshooting to avoid/minimize business impact
• Proactively establishes timing, agenda, and facilitation for global network meetings sharing of information to continuously improve and measure progress
• Leads use of TKM to share lessons learned and proactive efforts and facilitates engagement of global subject matter experts
• Provides expertise for Process Hazard Analysis and development of guidelines for scenarios to drive consistency between sites
• Provides expertise for Tec MOC (Global Process Technology Management of Change)
• Key process engineering contributor to PP & other assigned polymer technology capital projects globally
• Facilitates annual goal setting for PP and assigned polymer process technology  associated global sites
• Focus is to establish best practices and proactively drive continuous improvement through operational excellence tiered documents, timely knowledge sharing, process control strategies and expense or capital projects. 
• Interacts externally with industry subject matter experts to share and obtain appropriate information to maintain reputation as industry leader, and aid attainment of internal goals.
• Effectively communicates issues, plans, goals, accomplishments and recognition of others

Area of Expertise, Requirements

• PP and assigned polymer technology feed prep, reaction, and support of solids transfer, extrusion, pelletizing, pellet transfer, etc.
• Excellence Model writing, development, and revisions through approval process
• PP and assigned polymer technology key performance indicators, tracking, and continuous improvement facilitation
• Maintenance Operations Work Planning and Capital Planning working knowledge
• Phillip Townsend (PTAI) Industry benchmarking data gathering, analysis, and gap closure

Min. Qualifications

Education

• Master Degree in Chemical Engineering, required
• Membership in associated professional organization(s) to facilitate continued education

Work Experience

• 10+ years’ experience as site PP process engineer, required
• 5+ years participation in LYB PP Process Technology Network or related industry network, preferred
• 2+ years participation in LYB PP Process Safety Network or related industry network, preferred

Other

• Process Simulation and/or Data Analysis skills preferred

Competencies