Chemical Operator I Job

Arkema; Ashland (OH); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Arkema is seeking motivated, safety-focused Chemical Operators for our Ashland, Ohio manufacturing team. Starting wage will be determined by experience, with opportunities to progress toward Utility Operator through training and performance development.

This role supports multiple production areas, requires flexibility, and emphasizes safety, continuous learning, and a strong commitment to quality. Overtime and shift options are available.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Commitment to safety and safe work practices.
• Strong work ethic, reliability, and dependability.
• Basic computer proficiency.
• Good math and communication skills.
• Ability to pass a pre-employment physical, drug screen, and background check.
• Authorization to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Safely batch manufacturing and packaging of adhesives and other products.
• Operate forklifts and material handling equipment.
• Stage and blend raw materials; monitor processes.
• Complete production documentation.
• Operate process control systems and monitor quality.
• Maintain housekeeping and safety standards.
• Work overtime as required; adapt to shift schedule.

Skills

Safety mindset

Strong work ethic

Reliability

Basic computer proficiency

Math & communication skills

Lift 50 lbs

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Location: Ashland, Ohio
Department: Operations
Schedule: Full-Time | 2nd Shift or 3rd Shift | Overtime Available

Join Our Team

We are seeking motivated, safety-focused Chemical Operators to join our manufacturing team in Ashland, Ohio. This position offers an excellent opportunity to build a career in chemical manufacturing with a clear advancement path.

Candidates may be hired at different operator levels based on qualifications and experience. Starting wage will be determined by experience, skills, and demonstrated capabilities. Regardless of entry level, all successful candidates must demonstrate the ability and willingness to progress into the Utility Operator role through training and performance development. This role supports operations across multiple production areas and requires flexibility, continuous learning, and a strong commitment to safety.

What You'll Do

As a Chemical Operator, you will safely batch manufacturing and packaging of adhesives and other specialty chemical products while maintaining quality, productivity, and environmental standards.

Responsibilities Include:

• Following all safety rules, operating procedures, and company policies.
• Operating industrial forklifts and material handling equipment.
• Staging and compounding raw materials.
• Blending chemicals and powders.
• Charging liquid and powdered materials into mixing vessels.
• Monitoring chemical reactions and mixing processes.
• Operating and monitoring process control systems.
• Sampling products to ensure quality standards are met.
• Filling, labeling, and packaging finished products.
• Maintaining housekeeping and organization standards.
• Completing production documentation electronically and manually.
• Utilizing computerized inventory and production systems.
• Participating in safety meetings, training, and continuous improvement activities.
• Working overtime as required, including occasional 12-hour shifts.

All operators are expected to develop the skills necessary to advance into our Utility Operator position. Utility Operators are cross-trained throughout the facility and support production, warehousing, logistics, inventory management, bulk material handling, and shipping operations. Successful employees will receive ongoing training and development opportunities to build these capabilities.

Qualifications

Required

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Commitment to safety and safe work practices.
• Strong work ethic, reliability, and dependability.
• Basic computer proficiency.
• Good math and communication skills.
• Ability to safely lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), including respirators, chemical suits, face shields, hard hats, and steel-toed footwear.
• Ability to pass a pre-employment physical, drug screen, and background check.
• Authorization to work in the United States.

Preferred

• One or more years of manufacturing experience.
• Chemical manufacturing experience.
• Strong attendance and performance history.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Demonstrated adaptability and willingness to learn new processes.

Shift Schedule

This position is currently available on:

• 2nd Shift: Monday through Friday, 3:50 PM to 11:50 PM
• 3rd Shift: Sunday through Thursday, 11:50 PM to 7:50 AM

Candidates must be willing and able to work the shift assigned at hire. Overtime is required based on production needs and may include extended shifts, weekend work, and occasional 12-hour shifts.

This position is performed in an active chemical manufacturing environment. Employees regularly work around industrial equipment, forklifts, mixers, reactors, and chemical products while adhering to strict safety procedures and PPE requirements.

Successful candidates must be willing and able to:

• Work in hot, cold, and changing environmental conditions throughout the year.
• Work around industrial chemicals and manufacturing processes.
• Wear required PPE for extended periods.
• Stand, walk, climb stairs, and perform physical tasks throughout the shift.
• Lift and move materials weighing up to 50 pounds safely.
• Work overtime and support operational needs as required.
• Competitive starting wage based on experience, qualifications, and demonstrated skills.
• Overtime opportunities.
• Paid training and career development opportunities.
• Clear advancement path to Utility Operator and other operations roles.

About Bostik

Bostik is a leading global provider of innovative adhesive and sealant solutions serving the construction, industrial, and consumer markets. For more than 100 years, Bostik has developed smart bonding technologies that help improve the performance, durability, and sustainability of products used every day around the world. Bostik operates globally with manufacturing, research, and technical centers dedicated to delivering innovative solutions for customers across a wide range of industries.

Bostik is part of the Arkema Group, a global leader in specialty materials. With operations in more than 55 countries and thousands of employees worldwide, Arkema develops advanced materials and technologies that support industries such as construction, transportation, renewable energy, packaging, electronics, and consumer goods. Together, Arkema and Bostik are committed to innovation, safety, operational excellence, and creating sustainable solutions for a changing world.

At Bostik, our employees are our most valuable asset. We invest in training, career development, and continuous improvement while maintaining a strong commitment to safety, quality, and environmental responsibility. Joining our team means becoming part of a global organization that values teamwork, innovation, and professional growth.

Who we are?

Arkema is a world leader in Innovative Materials for a Sustainable World with the ambition to become a pure Specialty Materials player.

We thrive as One Arkema, comprised of many businesses and brands including Bostik, ArrMaz, and more! and operating with a global reach in 55 countries with more than 20,700 employees. Each one contributes to positioning Arkema as a recognized leader of specialty chemicals and advanced materials, reporting annual sales of €9.1 billion, of which 3.1% allocated to R&D for 1,800 researchers in 17 R&D centers.

If you pursue excellence, love innovation and are inspired by challenges, we encourage you through www.arkema.com to learn more about our values - Solidarity, Performance, Simplicity, Empowerment, and Inclusion - and how we concentrate on advances in bio-based and recyclable materials, new energies, water management, electronic solutions, lightweight materials and design, home efficiency and insulation.

Changing the world requires the right formula. The right formula consists of our innovative and sustainable materials, and you. Join us to develop the materials of tomorrow and make a difference together. What are you made of?

The legal information below pertains specifically to positions posted in the United States, however we strive for diversity, equity and inclusion in all the countries that we hire.
Arkema Inc. provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Arkema Inc. complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting and hiring.

Job Segment: 2nd Shift, 3rd Shift, Chemical Research, Forklift, Night, Engineering, Entry Level, Manufacturing