Process Controls Manager - US Remote

Hexion•Mount Tabor, VT

3d•Remote

About The Position

The Process Controls and Automation Manager leads the process controls and automation center of excellence (COE) team in conjunction with other global engineers to hold high accountability for the performance, reliability, and standardization of the control systems that run Hexion's manufacturing network. This is a working manager role: the incumbent leads a team of process controls engineers while remaining personally engaged in design, programming, troubleshooting, and technology evaluation at the plant level. The Manager sets the direction and standards for control system and OT network architecture, programming practice, and instrumentation across the region, and converts site issues, project demand, and emerging technology into a prioritized work plan the team can execute. The role owns the process controls project portfolio, partners with project and process engineering managers on multi-site implementations and serves as the senior technical authority when control system incidents, upgrades, or new installations require immediate direction. The Manager reports to the Sr. Director, Manufacturing Process Engineering and works in a peer relationship with Reliability, Operations, Maintenance, EHS, IT, and AI. Success in the role combines deep technical credibility in SIS, PLC, DCS, and MES environments with the people leadership to build a capable, geographically distributed team and the business judgment to make the case for control system investment.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in chemical or electrical engineering, or an equivalent technical discipline.
Ten or more years of experience building, programming, and supporting industrial control systems, including significant time in a plant environment working alongside controls technicians and electrical & instrumentation technicians.
Demonstrated leadership of engineers or technical specialists, whether through direct supervision, project leadership, or a matrixed team.
Solid command of control system architecture and programming, with hands-on depth in Rockwell PLC, MES, data historian, and Emerson DeltaV platforms or equivalents.
Working knowledge of industrial process control network, network communication protocols, and data security in conjunction with the IT team.
Ability to manage controls programs and project portfolios across multiple remote sites in a matrix environment.
Strong technical writing, organizational, and communication skills, with the ability to explain an issue and its proposed solution clearly to any audience.
Certified with SIS calculation and fluent in SIS calculation applications, preferably ExSILentia.
Advanced computer skills, including the ability to build and work in large Excel models and to collect and interpret data across sites running non-matching systems.
Willingness to travel, typically 50 percent, to manufacturing sites across the Americas.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in engineering or a related technical discipline, or professional registration as a licensed engineer.
Experience with batch and continuous chemical manufacturing processes and the working principles of unit operation.
Experience developing standards, documenting procedures, and maintaining controls documentation using appropriate symbols and drawing conventions.
Experience with machine analysis and process analytics software such as TwinThread, or with developing AI-driven models for process improvement.
Working knowledge of a computerized maintenance management system such as SAP PM.
Familiarity with electronic data management systems such as Hexion MOC, PI, and AIMs, or equivalents, and with the WAVE productivity project system.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Project and strong general Microsoft Office skills.
Experience building capital business cases and securing funding for automation or obsolescence projects.

Responsibilities

Lead the Process Control and Automation COE group, setting priorities, assigning work, and ensuring the team delivers responsive support to sites across the region.
Own the development and maintenance of process controls standards and protocols that standardize the equipment, instrumentation, programming methods, and documentation used in plant control systems.
Serve as the subject matter expert (SME) for instrument and control activities, communicating clearly with technicians, site leadership, and senior management when issues arise.
Direct the design and specification of instrument and control equipment on capital and maintenance projects, and lead or assign engineers to project design teams.
Manage SIS, DCS, and PLC reliability, software upgrade programs, and system downtime within a matrixed supply chain and across assets at varying stages of their depreciated life.
Oversee reliability calculations for safety instrumentation system (SIS) and the documentation supplied to safety standard committees.
Support regional specialists and site teams in troubleshooting efforts and corrective actions, providing immediate direction during process incidents and new installation start-ups.
Partner with Reliability, Operations, EHS, and IT to keep control system practice aligned with plant reliability, process safety, and cybersecurity requirements.
Personally develop and review instruction code for Rockwell PLC and Emerson DeltaV networks or equivalent control systems, carrying a working share of the group's technical load.
Own the design approach for HMI and control platforms, including escalation to the highest levels of vendor technical support, and document and define changes for manufacturing and technical audiences.
Investigate new instrumentation and programming technologies, develop testing protocols, and validate viability before incorporation into the existing process controls structure.
Apply mathematical and data analysis to design AI-driven models for process improvement, including machine analysis platforms such as AWS, TwinThread, or equivalent.
Evaluate and resolve networking issues at both the IT business layer and the industrial IOT layer, including process control network, data historian, and other PCN infrastructure.
Provide standardized design for OT layer with proper documentation and roadmap for implementation across the network sites.
Maintain working knowledge of batching systems and manufacturing execution systems, including non-standard configurations in use across the network.
Build and manage programs that deliver control system project implementations across multiple remote sites, working with project and program managers on scope, schedule, and resourcing.
Develop and manage the annual process controls budget, forecasting operating and capital requirements and managing performance against plan.
Establish a risk-based prioritization process for control system obsolescence, upgrade, and automation investment, and build the business cases that support it.
Escalate significant unfunded control system risk to engineering and operations leadership and participate in capital prioritization reviews.
Track and report control system performance, project delivery, and program metrics to the Americas Engineering leadership team.
Build, coach, and develop a team of process controls engineers working remotely and across multiple sites, setting clear expectations and holding the team accountable for results.
Lead with flexibility and calm confidence, resolving problems quickly and steadying the team and site partners during process upsets.
Promote a culture of inclusion, empowerment, and psychological safety that encourages proactive problem identification.
Support succession planning and the technical and leadership development of engineers within the controls and broader engineering organization.
Model Hexion's values of integrity, innovation, accountability, and safety in all leadership actions.