R&D Group Leader

Occidental Petroleum•Wichita, KS

About The Position

Contribute. Grow. Lead...with OxyChem. Looking for a challenge? Desire to achieve your true potential? OxyChem is a growing, action-oriented, safety driven chemical manufacturing company continually striving to be the best in the business while staying focused on environmental protection. The secret to our success has and will continue to be our people. Occidental Chemical Corporation (OxyChem) is a leading North American manufacturer of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resins, chlorine and caustic soda – key building blocks for a variety of indispensable products such as plastics, pharmaceuticals and water treatment chemicals. Other OxyChem products include caustic potash, chlorinated organics, sodium silicates, chlorinated isocyanurates and calcium chloride. OxyChem's market position is among the top three producers in the United States for the principal products it manufactures and markets. Based in Dallas, Texas, the company has manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Canada and Latin America. In a fast-paced industry that demands precision, we create a supportive workplace where the safety and well-being of our employees are paramount. We are committed to rewarding top performers, offering very competitive pay and benefits, and providing tremendous career development opportunities. This position is responsible for supervising and overseeing the Wichita Organic Technical Center’s Research & Development activities to support OxyChem’s Business objectives. Maintain as our highest priority the protection of the environment, the health and safety of our employees, customers, and the communities in which we operate and/or transport our products. Understand and work in accordance with all site safety and environmental procedures including the site Chemical Hygiene Plan. Adhere to the use of personal protective equipment as required.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or higher in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field is required.
A minimum of 15 years of experience in the development or support of chlorination chemistry, organic chemistry, and/or photochemistry technology.
Good problem solving and organizational skills.
Good written and verbal communication skills.
Self-motivated with the ability to work efficiently with minimal supervision.
Good interpersonal skills.
Must be able to work in teams.
Must be able to handle multiple complex issues at the same time.
Proficient in analytical methodologies and instrumentation.
High degree of problem solving and organizational skills.
Comfortable presenting information to all levels of management, vendors, and customers.
High proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
High proficiency in SAP Quality and Accounting applications and transactions.
Experience in intellectual property development and protection.
Requires domestic travel, and may require international travel as required to support assignments.
Physical requirements – Must be able to lift 40 pounds, climb ladders, and stairs.
Walking, bending, stooping is required.
Must be able to wear personal protective equipment as required.
Must be able to respond to visual and audible alarms.

Nice To Haves

Experience in an industrial R&D or Technology organization.
Experience in pilot scale fluid-bed or fixed-bed catalyst development or operations.

Responsibilities

Identify, recommend, and manage research activities to develop new products, improve existing products, reduce manufacturing costs, improve safety, improve quality, or reduce environmental impact of OxyChem products.
Conduct performance reviews and prepare salary and promotion recommendations for members of the Research and Development group.
Act as liaison and provide technical support to manufacturing, marketing, and business management through the identification, planning, and execution of joint projects and/or implementation of new technologies.
Produce clear, concise, accurate, and timely written and oral reports in which conclusions and recommendations are effectively supported by analytical and/or research data and supporting literature.
Serve as technical specialist and resource person for major process and/or product technologies.
Apply advanced understanding of chemistry and technical expertise to the planning and execution of significant, complex, or innovative technologies related to the synthesis, manufacture, and applications of organic and inorganic chemicals.
Maintain current awareness of significant trends and advances in chemistry or markets and initiate and recommend new technology for project development or use in manufacturing.
Assist in development of OxyChem intellectual properties such as patent, copyright, and trademark.
Follow the Technical Center’s Process Safety Management (PSM) program including execution of Process Hazard Analyses (PHA’s), compliance with Management of Change (MOC) requirements, pre-start up safety reviews (PSSR’s), and investigation of process safety incidents.
Ensure process safety information is current and accurate for the physical assets (P & IDs), for the process conditions (PFDs), for the process chemistry (SDSs), and for the technician-process activities (procedures and work instructions).