Operator

Dow; Kankakee (IL); On-site; USD 57,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equitable and market-competitive base-

Bonus opportunity

Retirement program

Employee stock purchase program

Medical and life insurance

On-site fitness facilities

Employee discounts

Job summary

Dow in Kankakee, Illinois, is seeking an Operator to work independently within an empowered team to operate assigned plant areas and equipment. You will monitor process conditions, report performance, and support safe, reliable operation in alignment with plant goals.

Qualified candidates will have a high school diploma, be able to work a 12-hour rotating shift, hold a valid US driver’s license, and be legally authorized to work in the United States. No visa sponsorship is available.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Able to work in a drug- and alcohol-free environment.
• Willingness to work 12-hour rotating shifts.
• Willingness to work overtime as needed.
• U.S. Driver’s license required.
• Authorized to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Follow operating discipline to ensure safe, reliable plant operation.
• Operate and inspect process equipment and monitor conditions.
• Report on performance metrics and adjust to meet goals.
• Work with shift teams to balance workload and meet due dates.
• Mentor and train staff on process operation and troubleshooting.
• Participate in root cause investigations and immediate response activities.

Skills

Operating discipline

Troubleshooting

Basic Math

Communication

Collaboration

Leadership

Plant safety

Microsoft Office

Education

High School Diploma / GED

Chemical Manufacturing degree (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

At Dow, we believe in putting people first and we’re passionate about delivering integrity, respect and safety to our customers, our employees and the planet. Our people are at the heart of our solutions. They reflect the communities we live in and the world where we do business. Their diversity is our strength. We’re a community of relentless problem solvers that offers the daily opportunity to contribute with your perspective, transform industries and shape the future. Our purpose is simple - to deliver a sustainable future for the world through science and collaboration. If you’re looking for a challenge and meaningful role, you’re in the right place.

About you and this role Dow has an exciting opportunity for an Operator in Kankakee (IL, USA). In this role you will work independently with minimal supervision within an empowered team environment. You have excellent knowledge of plant equipment and processes. You can operate assigned equipment and/or areas of the plant. You perform and report on operational activities per the Operations Dashboard Task List. You will utilize discretionary time to enable sustainable performance results for the facility.

Responsibilities

• Follow Operating Discipline policies, principles, procedures, standards and practices to ensure safe, reliable and efficient operation of assigned plant areas.
• Ensures adequate operating discipline is available for all planned and unplanned activities.
• Operate and field checks process equipment.
• Monitors process conditions, key performance metrics, equipment and control systems and makes appropriate decisions to maintain and/or achieve desired rates and conditions aligned with Plant/Site/Business goals.
• Perform scheduled operational and related tasks and tasks that arise as a result of resolving unplanned events.
• Work with shift team members and other shift teams to leverage skills and knowledge to balance workload ensuring assigned tasks are completed by due dates.
• Conduct effective shift relief, as defined in facility specific operating discipline and tools, to ensure effective communication and handoff to arriving shift team.
• Maintain qualification in assigned areas, per facility policy, and completes training goals in a timely manner. This includes using discretionary time to address skills and knowledge gaps.
• Mentor and trains new and existing operations personnel on process operation, troubleshooting and the use of operating discipline in alignment to plant's training process.
• Perform Immediate Response activities, as assigned.
• Initiate and documents preliminary investigations according to plant specific process/criteria and participates in formal and informal Root Cause Investigations for events involved in or by request.
• Track and utilizes the plant's key performance metrics on shift that are applicable to the Operating the Plant role to optimize operations and identify improvement opportunities.

Required Qualifications

• A minimum of a High School Diploma or GED equivalent
• Able to work in a drug and alcohol-free environment
• Willingness to work a 12-hour rotating shift
• Willingness to work overtime as needed
• Current and valid U.S. Driver’s License
• A minimum requirement for this U.S. based position is the ability to work legally in the United States.
• No visa sponsorship/support is available for this position, including for any type of U.S. permanent residency (green card) process

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in Chemical Manufacturing, Process Operations, or similar discipline.
• Previous experience in the following: Process Operator, Warehouse, Shipping/Receiving, and/or Transportation.
• Experience operating a forklift.

Your skills

• Computer Literacy: Proficient in Microsoft including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. Be proficient in computers to perform job tasks.
• Troubleshooting: Demonstrate troubleshooting and analytical skills.
• Basic Math: Strong math skills, including adding, subtracting, dividing, multiplying, and algebra.
• Communication: Strong reading and writing skills.
• Collaboration: Effectively interacts with multiple functions and diverse individuals to achieve goals. Has strong Interpersonal, Facilitative, and Organizational skills. Able to communicate with a very diverse population which is spread across the site.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Demonstrates excellent decision making skills and the ability to prioritize appropriately. Effectively manages multiple competing priorities. Strong work ethic.
• Leadership: inspire others and lead them through influence.
• Plant Safety: Plant safety measures aim first and foremost to prevent accidents at plants where hazardous substances are used – and in the event of an accident, minimize the consequent health and environmental effects.

Benefits – What Dow offers you

• Equitable and market-competitive base pay and bonus opportunity across our global markets, along with locally relevant incentives.
• Benefits and programs to support your physical, mental, financial, and social well-being, to help you get the care you need...when you need it.
• Competitive retirement program that may include company-provided benefits, savings opportunities, financial planning, and educational resources to help you achieve your long term financial-goals.
• Employee stock purchase programs (availability varies depending on location).
• Student Debt Retirement Savings Match Program (U.S. only).
• Dow will take the value of monthly student debt payments and apply them as if they are contributions to the Employees’ Savings Plan (401(k)), helping employees reach the Company match.
• Robust medical and life insurance packages that offer a variety of coverage options to meet your individual needs.
• Travel insurance is also available in certain countries/locations.
• Opportunities to learn and grow through training and mentoring, work experiences, community involvement and team building.
• Workplace culture empowering role-based flexibility to maximize personal productivity and balance personal needs.
• Competitive yearly vacation allowance.
• Paid time off for new parents (birthing and non-birthing, including adoptive and foster parents).
• Paid time off to care for family members who are sick or injured.
• Paid time off to support volunteering and Employee Resource Group’s (ERG) participation.
• Wellbeing Portal for all Dow employees, our one-stop shop to promote wellbeing, empowering employees to take ownership of their entire wellbeing journey.
• On-site fitness facilities to help stay healthy and active (availability varies depending on location).
• Employee discounts for online shopping, cinema tickets, gym memberships and more.
• Additionally, some of our locations might offer: Transportation allowance (availability varies depending on location) Meal subsidiaries/vouchers (availability depending on location) Carbon-neutral transportation incentives e.g. bike to work (availability varies depending on location)

Additional notes

This position does not offer relocation assistance For positions based in Illinois, Dow is required by law to include the pay scale that is reasonably expected to represent the Salary range for the position. This salary range is specific to the State of Illinois and accounts for both new and experienced employees with consideration to factors including but not limited to skillset, experience, and sustained job performance (or similar jobs). A reasonable annual base salary range for this position is: $57,000 - $94,920. For those employees who are eligible for overtime pay, payment will be made under the provisions of federal and state law (typically, 1.5X of your regular hourly rate).

About Dow

Dow (NYSE: DOW) is one of the world’s leading materials science companies, serving customers in high-growth markets such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer applications. Our global breadth, asset integration and scale, focused innovation, leading business positions and commitment to sustainability enable us to achieve profitable growth and help deliver a sustainable future. We operate manufacturing sites in 30 countries and employ approximately 36,000 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $43 billion in 2024. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. Learn more about us and our ambition to be the most innovative, customer-centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world by visiting www.dow.com. As part of our dedication to inclusion, Dow is committed to equal opportunities in employment. We encourage every employee to bring their whole self to work each day to not only deliver more value, but also have a more fulfilling career. Further information regarding Dow's equal opportunities is available on www.dow.com. Dow is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and is committed to providing opportunities without regard for race, color, religion, sex, including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity, national origin, age, disability and genetic information, including family medical history. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may call us at 1-833-My Dow HR (833-693-6947) and select option 8. Dow is a company of more than 36,500 global innovators, believers and solutions providers. We are a diverse community marked by respect, integrity, and a desire to make the world a better place. A career at Dow is an invitation to explore, create, and make valuable contributions to human progress.