Chemical Operator (Resin/E-Coat)- 1st, 2nd and 3rd Shift

Nippon Paint Automotive Americas, Inc.; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 26,139 - 37,229; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Earned Bonus Structure

Paid Time Off

Health & Welfare Plans

401(k) Program

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

A leading chemical manufacturing company in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is looking for a production operator to process raw materials into finished polymeric materials. The ideal candidate will have a high school diploma and at least 5 years of experience in chemical manufacturing, preferably in polymer or reaction chemistry. You will be responsible for quality testing, paperwork, and ensuring adherence to safety standards. Compensation starts at $23.00/hour, negotiable based on experience, with opportunities for bonuses and time-off benefits.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years chemical manufacturing experience, preferably with polymer or reaction chemistry.
• Fork Truck Certification is required.
• HAZMAT training or experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Process raw materials into finished products using industrial equipment.
• Conduct quality testing using analytical lab equipment.
• Complete paperwork and reports for production activities.
• Review production processes and troubleshoot abnormalities.

Skills

Chemical Manufacturing

Quality Control

Team Collaboration

Process Troubleshooting

Safety Procedures

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Chemical, Electrical or Mechanical Technician certification

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Analytical Lab Equipment

Job description

At NPAA, we believe our employees are our greatest strength. We are proud to offer a generous and competitive rewards package, including

• Earned Bonus Structure – attendance bonuses, annual merit increases, and an annual incentive bonus plan.
• Time Off & Holidays – 11 paid holidays each year, plus paid time off to support work‑life balance.
• Health & Retirement – comprehensive health and welfare plans, along with a 401(k) program featuring an exceptional company match.
• Career Growth & Recognition – tuition reimbursement, employee recognition programs, and opportunities to grow within the organization.
• Culture & Community – as part of the NPAA family, you’ll enjoy company events throughout the year celebrating and appreciating our employees’ hard work and dedication.

Shift Schedules

• 1st Shift (Monday‑Friday 7:00 am to 3:30 pm)
• 2nd Shift (Monday‑Friday 3:00 pm to 11:30 pm)
• 3rd Shift (Sunday‑Thursday 11:00 pm to 7:30 am)

Must be willing to work overtime.

Compensation

Compensation starts at $23.00 /hour and is negotiable based on experience.

Position Summary

Processes raw materials into finished polymeric materials using industrial equipment, including pressure & non‑pressure reactors, vacuum systems, distributed control system (DCS), pumps, flow meters, condensers, and sensors in an OSHA PSM‑covered environment. Performs in‑process and finished quality testing of raw materials and finished products using analytical lab equipment, including balances, ovens, titrators, gas chromatographs, viscometers, and microscopes. Operates distillation equipment. Handles hazardous & non‑hazardous waste bulk transfers and hazardous bulk material transfers. Position requires flexible work schedule, including overtime and weekend hours.

Position Responsibilities

• Performs production functions. Performs processes according to Company standards, procedures and specifications. Includes filling product to drums, totes or to tanks and loading raw materials into process tanks. Includes continuous processing of reactive batch chemicals under specific conditions. Includes transfer of in‑bound bulk hazardous material to storage tanks and outbound finished products to tanker trucks.
• Uses equipment & raw materials are according to Company standards, procedures and specifications.
• Performs chemical testing on in‑process and finished goods in a lab environment.
• Completes related paperwork, reports, and support functions.
• Performs work in accordance with direction from supervisor. Informs supervisors of any significant problems, issues or concerns. May work independently on scheduled activities.
• Creates work orders for equipment repair activities.
• Performs training of personnel for other production position activities.
• Performs periodic chemical preventive maintenance activities on heat exchangers, cooling coils/jackets and condensers.
• Troubleshoots process abnormalities using information from the DCS process software and field sensors. Communicates issues to the department engineering group.
• Assists in annual interlock & alarm testing with Engineering group.
• Performs production functions in accordance with Company policies and procedures.
• Follows established production procedures and instructions. Specifically, loads raw materials (monomers, initiators, solvents, other additives) into vessels and uses distributed control system with sensors (flow meters, pressure and temperature gauges, rotation speed gauges) to convert raw materials in a batch operation, makes necessary adjustments as required.
• Follows quality and safety standards. Specifically, wears proper personal protective equipment when required and performs lab tests to determine raw materials and finished products meet documented quality standards. Handles process waste according to established company procedures. Uses distillation equipment to recycle cleaning solvents.
• Meets production deadlines. Specifically, follows production schedule and performs assigned production duties within established cycle time guidelines. Notifies supervisory personnel of causes for any deviations from standards.
• Monitors processes and performs inspections of waste storage and safety systems at designated intervals. May handle bulk waste disposal transfer to off‑site waste handling vendors.
• Performs activities to clean, secure, and maintain work areas. Specifically, cleans up after raw material loading activities (sweep, mop, dust), returns tools to proper storage locations and maintains assigned work area(s) with proper visual process control documents (Kanban, 5S).
• Completes production records and inventory transactions. Specifically, updates process documentation (cook sheets, batch tickets) as work processes are completed. Updates raw material inventory using business process software (SAP, Oracle).
• Preforms activities in a team‑based setting and communicates issues and production status using proper business etiquette with supervisory personnel and other team members.

Position Qualification

• High School Diploma or equivalent required. Chemical, Electrical or Mechanical Technician certification or equivalent.
• Minimum of 5 years chemical manufacturing experience. Experience with polymer or reaction chemistry preferred.
• Fork Truck Certification.
• HAZMAT training (Hazwoper, etc) or experience preferred.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Nippon Paint Automotive Americas Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.