Lead Chemical Process Technician

Bridgestone America, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 74,000 - 84,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

4 weeks PTO annually

Benefits package

Annual bonus up to 5%

Job summary

Bridgestone Americas, Inc. is seeking a Lead Chemical Process Technician for its Bio-Rubber Process Research Center in Mesa, AZ. The role focuses on developing and optimizing bio-rubber extraction processes in a chemical pilot plant environment.

The position offers a 12‑hour rotating shift, potential overtime, and a bonus up to 5% based on performance, along with 4 weeks of PTO and comprehensive benefits. Prior leadership of small teams is valued.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree in process technology or equivalent experience.
• 4–6 years of process operator experience in chemical manufacturing.
• 1–3 years of experience leading small teams or shifts.
• Knowledge of chemical manufacturing operations and safety.

Responsibilities

• Safely start up and shut down process equipment.
• Monitor equipment and ensure compliance with safety policies.
• Record data, instrument readings, and flow rates.
• Collaborate with engineering and maintenance to optimize production.
• Lead and train other Process Technicians.

Skills

Communication

Team leadership

Safety awareness

Mathematical ability

Education

Associate’s degree in process technology

Tools

Forklift operation

Process control knowledge

Job description

Company Overview

Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM), headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, and Bridgestone Europe, Middle East and Africa (BSEMEA), headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, operate collectively as a “Bridgestone West” strategic region. This region services the strategic business needs of teams across the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa. BSAM and BSEMEA are subsidiaries of Bridgestone Corporation, globally headquartered in Japan. Bridgestone and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand products and solutions to address the needs of a broad range of customers and industries.

Job Category

Engineering & Science

Position Summary

This Lead Chemical Process Technician position is located at Bridgestone’s Bio-Rubber Process Research Center in Southeast Mesa, Arizona where we are developing and optimizing our bio-rubber extraction processes. The address for this facility is 6533 South Mountain Road, Mesa AZ 85212. This is a chemical manufacturing pilot plant where our Process Technicians work in a PSM environment helping to manufacture various chemicals for our rubber manufacturing processes.

Starting pay would be in the $35.50.00 per hour range plus overtime as applicable and up to a 5% annual bonus based upon company performance, along with 4 weeks of PTO annually and awesome benefits!

To see more about this project, you can view a quick video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkTopAcOqJI

The initial work schedule is 12 hr day shift alternating 3 or 4 days per week. The final work schedule will be an 8-hr rotating shift working 5 days per week. Shift differential is paid for non-day shift hours.

Responsibilities Safety

• Our Process Technicians must ensure daily plant operations are within environmental requirements, comply with all health and safety policies and procedures, including process safety management (PSM).
• Our Process Technicians must participate in all site specific safety training and meetings and perform work safely.
• Our Process Technicians must comply with company operation policies and procedures to ensure all work areas remain clean and free of hazards.
• Our Process Technicians will de-energize equipment safely to enable maintenance technicians to perform required preventative maintenance, installations and repair work.
• Our Process Technicians must demonstrate a steadfast commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, and ethical practices in all aspects of your position within the organization.
• Our Process Technicians must participate in Pre-Startup Safety Reviews and Process Hazard Analysis as required.

Operations

Safely startup and shutdown process equipment in a chemical manufacturing environment. Monitor chemical plant process equipment, ensure strict compliance with safety policies while performing work, and consistently take appropriate action to mitigate potential hazards and ensure process optimization.

• Process Technicians will adjust process controls, take routine readings, perform preventative and minor maintenance onsite, and effectively troubleshoot operational problems to enhance reliability of the asset.
• Monitor and adjust settings on the equipment affecting the production rate, product quality, and the yield to ensure production is consistently within acceptable limits.
• Process Technicians will record data and operating conditions, document instrument readings, and rates of flow to identify upward and downward trends.
• Work outside the unit including both grounds and utilities, inside the asset, and in the control room to monitor the Rockwell PLC HMI screens.
• Make periodic rounds throughout the shift to walk the asset and identify deviations in operations, adjust process instruments and equipment to ensure proper flows, temperature, pressures, and levels.
• Participate in projects onsite that improve efficiency, mitigate risk, and reduce operating costs.
• Collaborate with colleagues, contractors, and vendors to facilitate daily activities.
• Provide assistance and support to both engineering and maintenance as required to optimize production and ensure smooth operations onsite at the plant.
• Lead Process Technicians will train and share knowledge with others.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in process technology or successful track record of process operator work experience onsite in a chemical manufacturing plant.
• 4-6 years of process operator experience working onsite in an industrial chemical manufacturing or related work environment or industry.
• 1-3 years of experience leading small work teams or shifts
• Must have thorough knowledge of common concepts and procedures used in chemical manufacturing operations.
• Good verbal and written communication skills are required, with an ability to apply knowledge and skills to effectively carry out instructions furnished in written and diagram form.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to drive a forklift or other mobile equipment.
• Ability to work a twelve-hour schedule with rotating shifts that may include overtime, holidays, nights, and weekends to meet the needs of the business.

At Bridgestone, you are Free to Be

We believe people can only provide superior service and quality to others when they feel safe bringing their chosen version of themselves to work. We believe in championing all perspectives, individuals and teams because we understand the importance of seeing the world and our business through many different lenses. So, show us what you are made of, because who you are is what we need.

What we offer

• A supportive and engaging onboarding experience to ensure a smooth transition into our team.
• The opportunity to develop and grow, through training and regular mentorship.
• Corporate Social Responsibility activities.
• A truly global, dynamic and challenging work environment.
• Agility and work/life effectiveness and your long-term well-being.
• An effective and inclusive team.

Bridgestone is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

It is our policy to consider all individuals for employment based on their unique merit and without regard to age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Employment Eligibility If hired, a Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification must be completed at the start of employment. Temporary work authorization or the need for sponsorship may disqualify you from employment.

Based in Nashville Tennessee, Bridgestone Americas, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, the world’s largest tire and rubber company. Bridgestone Americas and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires to address the needs of a broad range of customers, including consumers, automotive and commercial vehicle original equipment manufacturers, and those in the agricultural, forestry and mining industries. The companies are also engaged in retreading operations throughout the Western Hemisphere and produce air springs, roofing materials, and industrial fibers and textiles. The Bridgestone Americas family of companies also operates the world’s largest chain of automotive tire and service centers. Guided by its global corporate social responsibility (CSR), commitment Our Way to Serve, Bridgestone embraces its responsibility as a global leader by striving to improve the way people move, live, work and play.