HYCO Operator

Air Products (Middle East) FZE; Al Jubayl; On-site; SAR 262,000 - 375,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading chemical company in Saudi Arabia is seeking an experienced operations professional to manage and operate the HYCO Steam Methane Reformer. Candidates should possess a relevant Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 5 years in plant operations, with expertise in hydrogen and safety standards. The role demands effective communication with both operational and customer stakeholders, ensuring high standards for safety and environmental compliance. This position requires a commitment to operational excellence and achieving 'Level 1' status within a specified timeframe.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years plant operations experience required.
• Knowledge of local environmental and health and safety requirements is important.
• Expectation of achieving a ‘Level 1 / Board Level’ status within 2 – 4 years.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain the HYCO Steam Methane Reformer and CO2 recovery units.
• Ensure compliance with process safety and operational safety requirements.
• Support the maintenance and engineering team to maintain plant reliability.

Skills

Process plant operation

Hydrogen/SMR/acid gas removal units knowledge

Interpersonal skills

English proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chemical, Mechanical, or Chemical Process Operations

Associate Technical Degree (2-year certificate)

Job description

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

Safety

Maintain a safe work environment. Demonstrate leadership with all company & industry safe work processes to prevent all injuries. Ensure proper documentation is maintained for safety related activities.

Technical:

• Operate the HYCO Steam Methane Reformer and CO2 recovery units and ancillary equipment including water treatment units as prescribed by the Work Instruction Procedures
• Operate the pipeline network to supply hydrogen, steam, and CO2 to the pipeline customers safely and efficiently. The Pipeline operations team will be part of the overall operating team and will also manage the oxygen and nitrogen pipeline products.
• Provide Operations support & guidance during the commissioning of the plant. Maintain accurate document control and monitor quality assurance initiatives.
• Provide Operations guidance to ensure safety, reliability and maintainability of equipment, processes, utilities, and controls.
• Manage plant production efficiently based on input provided from Plant Management and Plant Production Engineering to ensure safety and reliability targets are met to achieve maximum profitable.
• Report shift production progress and plant status to the Shift Supervisor, providing operational solutions for shortfall areas.

Operations

• Ensure the safety of all operations personnel by utilizing the APQ Basic Safety Practice program, which includes Safety Work Permits, LOTO, Confined Space, etc. The position facilitates executing, organizing, and auditing, to build the Air Products safety culture into the APQ.
• Ensure compliance with process safety, MOC’s, and OPHR requirements.
• Operate the facility insuring Environmental and Regulatory requirements are not exceeded.
• Assist in the commissioning activities of the facility
• Ensure Air Products and APQ standards, and global best practices for EH&S, productivity, reliability, quality, and overall customer services are met
• Follow the Site Work Instruction Manuals for the HYCO, CO2, and ancillary equipment units, along with adhering to other operating and maintenance procedures and checklists to meet the customer’s satisfaction on safety, reliability, product quality, and flexibility of product supply while in compliance of contractual requirements.
• Follow shift turnover protocols to ensure the safe and efficient handover to the following shift.
• Support & maintain close working relationships with engineering and maintenance personnel to continuously monitor & evaluate plant systems & equipment through a Plant Process Advisory Model.
• Support the maintenance and engineering team in maintaining plant reliability through the execution of preventive maintenance activities scheduled and coordinating of corrective maintenance activities of the equipment in order to optimize activities during plant shut-downs to avoid business interruption.
• Provide operations support and participate in investigations and Root Cause Analysis in order to identify & implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Facilitate attainment of operational excellence and customer satisfaction via operations productivity, reliability, quality, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Maintain customer communications and relationships at the ‘board’ level, insuring customer demand rates are satisfied while maximizing the efficiency and profitability of the facility.
• Communication of plant activities with other shifts to maintain continuity between shifts for a safe and reliable operation.
• Execute other duties as assigned from reporting managers in a timely and efficient manner.

Skills

Bachelor’s degree in Chemical, Mechanical, or Chemical Process Operations preferred. An Associate Technical Degree (2-year certificate) will be considered based on years of experience and competence. Experience in process plant operation, demonstrated Hydrogen/SMR/acid gas removal units production plant knowledge a plus with a minimum of 5 years plant operations experience.

• Expectation based on level of experience for the operations team to achieve a ‘Level 1 / Board Level’ status within 2 – 4 years. Operators will be evaluated during the training period and placed at the level of competence accordingly. All the operations team are considered field and board operators when Level 1 is achieved.

Knowledgeable in the local environmental and health and safety requirements. Demonstrated interpersonal skills. A strong commitment to employee involvement, team building and diversity. Able to communicate between operations and maintenance teams. Ability to communicate with the customer at the board level on a daily basis. Proficiency in English speaking and writing.