CATALYST & POLYMERIZATION STAFF SPECIALIST

Formosa Plastics•Point Comfort, TX

About The Position

Develops new or improved end-use applications for polyolefin resins on various converting machines and provides technical assistance to customers and internal business groups to support resin sales and customer satisfaction. The role contributes to safe, healthful, and compliant operations while advancing catalyst performance, product quality, and manufacturing competitiveness. Leads development, evaluation, optimization, and commercialization of catalysts. Analyzes catalyst performance data, develops predictive models linking laboratory and pilot results to commercial performance, identifies opportunities to improve catalyst life and efficiency, and helps establish performance specifications with cross-functional teams. Supports catalyst laboratory and testing capabilities by specifying and procuring equipment and instrumentation, coordinating installation and commissioning, maintaining procedures and equipment, and training laboratory and technical personnel. Provides technical support for production-scale catalyst trials, including trial planning, troubleshooting, performance monitoring, data analysis, scale-up validation, post-trial documentation, and transition of successful technologies into routine production. Maintains a strong commitment to process safety, quality, and compliance. Participates in applicable process-safety activities and addresses hazards associated with chemicals, high temperatures and pressures, hydrogen, reactive or toxic materials, and reactor systems. Promotes plant cleanliness and order through the Total House Keeping Maintenance program, Nothing Touch Ground program, and No Visual Pollution program.

Requirements

A minimum of 10 years of catalyst reactor testing experience with both Ziegler Natta and metallocene technologies.
Excellent understanding of laboratory processes, reactor design, process control, and catalyst handling.
Personal computer skills and applicable software knowledge.
Good interpersonal and communication skills.
Good business writing ability.
Strong organizational skills.
Extensive knowledge of B-1 processes.
Strong background installing and operating various lab-scale reactors.
In-depth knowledge of air-free handling of catalysts, co-catalysts, and raw materials.
Strong knowledge of catalyst end-use performance.
Strong knowledge of reactor control system programming.
Good knowledge of product development project structure and test-data compilation.
Good knowledge of plant contacts and maintenance group processes and capabilities.
Experience directly supporting production-scale unit trials using new catalysts.
Working knowledge of FPC contracting, purchasing, and accounting processes.
Excellent knowledge of workplace safety policies and training coordination.
Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
Mechanical troubleshooting experience.
High school diploma or equivalent plus at least 10 years of direct job-related experience, or an associate’s degree plus 8 years of direct job-related experience.
Must complete company policies and procedures training after hire.
Current employees must meet technical and safety training requirements for their current position as specified in the Master Training Plan.
Must participate in the specified subject training and pass required certifications.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree with 6 years of direct job-related experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead development, evaluation, optimization, and commercialization of new and improved catalysts.
Generate, analyze, and interpret catalyst kinetic, physical, chemical, and performance data.
Develop predictive models and correlations to translate laboratory and pilot-scale performance into expected commercial-unit performance.
Identify ways to improve catalyst performance and life, reduce catalyst consumption, improve process efficiency, and lower manufacturing costs.
Establish catalyst performance specifications and acceptance criteria with R&D, Process Engineering, Operations, Quality, Procurement, and Commercial teams.
Identify, evaluate, specify, and procure catalyst testing equipment, analytical instrumentation, reactors, and laboratory systems.
Develop equipment specifications, participate in vendor evaluations, and provide technical input during equipment selection and purchasing.
Coordinate equipment installation, commissioning, qualification, and start-up.
Develop, maintain, and improve laboratory procedures, test methods, operating instructions, and equipment protocols.
Ensure catalyst testing equipment is maintained, calibrated, and operated within established specifications.
Create and administer training programs and train laboratory personnel and technical staff on catalyst testing systems and procedures.
Provide direct technical support to production units during developmental catalyst trials.
Develop production trial plans covering objectives, operating conditions, sampling, performance criteria, safety, and contingencies.
Coordinate laboratory, pilot, and production-scale testing to support technology scale-up.
Work with Operations and Process Engineering to troubleshoot catalyst-related issues and recommend operating adjustments during trials.
Monitor catalyst activity, selectivity, stability, product quality, throughput, energy efficiency, catalyst consumption, and other commercial metrics during trials.
Analyze trial data against laboratory and pilot-scale predictions to validate scale-up models and identify improvements.
Provide real-time technical guidance and recommend whether trial conditions should continue, change, or stop.
Lead post-trial evaluations and document results, lessons learned, conclusions, and recommendations.
Support the transition of successful catalyst technologies into routine commercial production.
Maintain safe laboratory and production practices and participate in MOC, PHA, PSSR, risk assessments, and other applicable process-safety activities.
Address hazards associated with chemicals, high temperatures, high pressures, hydrogen, toxic or reactive materials, and reactor systems.
Promote cleanliness and order through the Total House Keeping Maintenance program, Nothing Touch Ground program, and No Visual Pollution program; maintain the plant in like-new condition.
Work closely with internal customers and tailor testing needs to their applications.