Power Subject Matter Expert (SME) — Chemistry and Water Treatment

International Paper•Huntsville, AL

12d•$125,900 - $167,800•Remote

About The Position

This position is in the Power Manufacturing Solutions Group, and provides technical guidance and direction to our mill teams in the water treatment areas. Specific areas of support and expertise includes raw water clarification, corrosion inhibition, filtration, demineralization, condensate treatment, boiler water controls, and specialty chemicals. This support will be a combination of remote and also travel to mill locations. Expected travel is 40-60%. You will be expected to learn all the specific types of treatment equipment and processes in our IP mill system, and provide technical support for planned work and troubleshooting for problems encountered. Develop relationships at each mill in utilities areas to better understand the needs of the mill processes and equipment. This position requires someone that will be a good communicator, both in mentoring and listening to the operators and managers to understand potential issues and desires for each mill. Understand the water quality specifications and chemical treatment programs for each pressure range for the operating boilers. The candidate will know and ensure the IP policies and specifications that guide proper water quality are being applied. The candidate will gain understanding of the different types of boilers and the circulation of water for each. The candidate should recognize potential water quality excursions, and be able to guide others on steps to identify contamination sources, eliminate the problem, and correct trends in water chemistry to resume operation within specification. A considerable part of the role includes communication and execution of the boiler acid cleaning policy. This includes assisting mill teams with inspections and data acquisition plans to complete annual acid cleaning condition based scorecards. These scorecards are submitted to Power Technology for review and determination of when the boilers should be cleaned based on internal conditions, chemistry control and monitoring, and deposition data. When these cleanings are executed, this role includes onsite support for the plans, recipes, logistics, execution of steps, validation of the cleaning process, flushing, inspections, and startup procedures. This position requires someone who will develop relationships with specialty chemical suppliers, and will maintain a neutral position with each supplier to benefit IP. This person will participate in the Specialty Chemical Global Sourcing events annually that award new business to mills with renewing contracts. This participation involves reviewing specifications for each mill and review of the bids from participating suppliers to ensure comparable products are being bid for the utility area chemistries.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or Chemistry required.
Work experience in a water chemistry related field, preferably in chemical sales and treatment programs supporting the pulp/paper industry, or work experience in mill power plant process water and boiler water treatment areas.
Core knowledge of chemical safety and industrial process safety management.
10+ years' experience in the pulp and paper industry, including knowledge of recovery boilers, power boilers, and auxiliary water and condensate processes.
Understanding of unit processes such as clarifiers, filters (sand, Multimedia), demineralizers (cation, anion, WBA, Mixed Bed, packed beds, etc), and Reverse Osmosis skids.
Troubleshooting skills and technical understanding of all aspects of water chemistry, treatment, control, and testing.
Organization
Time management
Customer Service
Interpersonal Savvy
Technical Learning
Presentation and Communication Skills

Responsibilities

Provides technical guidance and direction to mill teams in water treatment areas, including raw water clarification, corrosion inhibition, filtration, demineralization, condensate treatment, boiler water controls, and specialty chemicals.
Learns specific types of treatment equipment and processes in the IP mill system and provides technical support for planned work and troubleshooting.
Develops relationships with mill personnel in utilities areas to understand process and equipment needs.
Communicates effectively to mentor and listen to operators and managers regarding potential issues and desires.
Understands water quality specifications and chemical treatment programs for operating boilers and ensures IP policies are applied.
Recognizes potential water quality excursions and guides others on identifying contamination sources, problem elimination, and correcting water chemistry trends.
Manages and executes the boiler acid cleaning policy, including assisting with inspections, data acquisition, and onsite support during cleanings.
Develops relationships with specialty chemical suppliers and maintains a neutral position.
Participates in annual Specialty Chemical Global Sourcing events, reviewing specifications and bids to ensure comparable products are offered.