Process Specialist

About AkzoNobel Since 1792, we've been supplying the innovative paints and coatings that help to color people's lives and protect what matters most. Our world class portfolio of brands - including Dulux, International, Sikkens and Interpon - is trusted by customers around the globe. We're active in more than 150 countries and use our expertise to sustain and enhance the fabric of everyday life. Because we believe every surface is an opportunity. It's what you'd expect from a pioneering and long-established paints company that's dedicated to providing sustainable solutions and preserving the best of what we have today - while creating an even better tomorrow. Let's paint the future together. For more information please visit www.akzonobel.com © 2024 Akzo Nobel N.V. All rights reserved. Job Purpose Provide hands-on process expertise to support safe, compliant, reliable, and efficient resin manufacturing operations in a batch/continuous reactor-based chemical plant regulated under OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM). The Process Specialist is an independent contributor who partners closely with Production, Maintenance, Engineering, EHS, Quality, and Supply Chain to improve process performance, troubleshoot issues, implement changes, and sustain standardized operations. Key Responsibilites Process Safety & PSM Compliance Serve as a key production/technical resource to ensure compliance with OSHA PSM and site process safety requirements for covered processes. Support and/or lead assigned PSM elements, including: * Operating Procedures (develop, revise, and periodically certify; ensure procedures reflect safe operating limits and current equipment configuration) * Management of Change (MOC) technical input, implementation readiness, and field validation * Participate in Process Hazard Analyses (PHA) and support action item closure * Pre-Startup Safety Reviews (PSSR) for process changes, new equipment, and startups * Incident investigations / RCA and corrective action tracking * Mechanical Integrity interface (process/operability input and critical equipment understanding) * Process Safety Information (PSI) accuracy support (limits, safe operating envelopes, chemical hazards) Promote a strong process safety culture through safe work practices, proactive hazard identification, and effective coordination with maintenance/contractors. Daily Operations Support / Troubleshooting * Provide front-line process troubleshooting for reactor operations (e.g., charging, reaction control, heat removal, agitation, reflux/venting, filtration/transfer, sampling, off-spec prevention). * Monitor and analyze process performance and deviations using metrics such as RFT, MME, OEE, yield, cycle time, energy/utility usage, downtime, cost, and customer complaints; identify trends and recommend corrective actions. * Partner with Production, Maintenance, Engineering, and Quality to investigate and resolve equipment/process issues (e.g., temperature control loops, relief/vent systems, instrumentation reliability, fouling, polymerization upsets, batch variability), including coordination of corrective actions and follow-up. * Support safe startup/shutdown activities, abnormal situation management, and response to process alarms and deviations. Continuous Improvement / Lean Execution * Identify, prioritize, and execute process improvements using structured methodologies (A3, RCA, PDCA, Lean/Six Sigma). * Improve batch consistency, reduce