Unit Production Reliability Engineer

Ashland • Hopewell, VA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Ashland Specialty Ingredients, GP is seeking a Unit Operational Reliability Engineer for its Specialty Ingredients business at the Hopewell, Virginia location. The position supports the Natrosol (HEC) manufacturing process and works to achieve safety, production, compliance, and quality targets. The engineer maintains a presence in the operating area and works with operators to resolve daily issues and drive continuous improvement. This visible role is part of the Plant Engineering and Operations functions and reports to the Natrosol (HEC) Operations Manager.

The position owns unit equipment reliability, equipment and unit strategy, troubleshooting and issue response, unit budgets, risk and compliance, and incident/root-cause analysis. It partners with Process Reliability to optimize performance, coordinates resources, and develops projects and justifications to improve unit consistency and operations. Ashland describes its workplace as dynamic and challenging, with opportunities for development and advancement throughout its global organization. The company cites competitive salary and benefits, pay-for-performance incentive plans, and a diverse work environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering, Pulp & Paper, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent.
• 5–10 years of chemical plant manufacturing experience.
• Ability to handle multiple projects concurrently and work in a team environment.
• Delta-V experience.
• SAP experience.

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience in Production Operations.
• Previous Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) batch manufacturing experience.
• Previous experience working within a union environment.
• Experience with hazard analysis, including HAZOP, PHA, or ISO systems.
• Experience or knowledge of Lean Six Sigma processes.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Proven data analysis and problem-solving skills.
• Proven planning and organization skills.
• Self-starter with urgency for delivering results.

Responsibilities

• Model and exemplify excellence in leadership behaviors.
• Respond promptly to escalations from the 24/7 team and provide updates on issues and projects.
• Integrate with the organization and foster a high-accountability culture.
• Ensure adherence to stewardship and quality standards.
• Understand how work is completed and help bridge gaps between intended and actual practices.
• Facilitate an effective union/company relationship.
• Own unit equipment reliability, including prioritization of maintenance work.
• Advocate for equipment and develop and implement equipment and unit strategies and issue mitigations.
• Troubleshoot and respond to issues that arise.
• Serve as the point person for plant unit business, advancement, and questions.
• Own the unit budget and risk and compliance responsibilities.
• Manage incidents and root-cause analysis.
• Partner with Process Reliability to optimize performance.
• Coordinate resources outside the normal workflow when applicable.
• Develop projects and expense or capital justifications to advance unit consistency and operations.
• Prioritize and complete risk and compliance tasks in the unit.
• Support the Natrosol manufacturing process in achieving safety, production, compliance, and quality targets.
• Maintain a presence in the operating area and work with operators to resolve daily issues and drive continuous improvement.

Benefits

• Industry-competitive salary and benefits.
• Pay-for-performance incentive plans.
• Opportunities for development and advancement throughout the global organization.
• Diverse work environment where employees feel challenged and valued.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level