Plant Operator

Airgas; Canton (OH); On-site; USD 85,962,000 - 97,424,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus 4%

Mon–Fri schedule

12 hour rotating shift

Job summary

Airgas is seeking a Plant Operator in Canton, OH to safely operate and maintain gas production facilities, ensuring production targets, regulatory compliance, and safety are met. You will contribute to daily plant operations with a strong safety mindset.

The role requires mechanical aptitude and a focus on process safety, with a 12-hour rotating shift, on-call as needed. The position offers Mon–Fri work, travel 0–5% for training, and a pay range of $30–$34/hour plus a 4% annual bonus.

Qualifications

• Safety minded and able to follow safety practices.
• Knowledge of local and federal regulations (FDA, OSHA, EPA, DOT) and cGMP.
• Able to communicate in English, written and spoken.

Responsibilities

• Instills safety in others and models safe practices.
• Ensure compliance with regulations and company policies (MOC, PSSR, QIR, etc.).
• Manage on-site training for contractors and visitors as required.
• Coordinate with Plant Manager on administrative duties.
• Interact with product scheduling to meet customer requirements.
• Complete documentation and reporting on time with zero defects.
• Operate plant equipment, monitor KPIs, and optimize efficiency.
• Read and interpret P&IDs and PFDs; operate in steady state operations.
• Lead safety initiatives and participate in root-cause analyses.

Skills

Safety minded

Regulatory compliance

English communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree / advanced technical training

Job description

R10097138 Plant Operator (Open)

Location

Canton, OH (AMG) - ASU

How will you CONTRIBUTE and GROW?

This position has responsibility for the safe operation and maintenance of Airgas Merchant Gas production facilities. The production technician is responsible for maintaining plant production, operating efficiency, regulatory compliance, and safety. Due to the complexity of the skill sets needed for this position, Production Technician levels have been established to distinguish work performance capabilities and the degree of independence each task is to be performed.

Airgas is Hiring for a Plant Operator in Canton, OH!

WE ARE LOOKING FOR YOU!

Pay Range: $30 - $34/hour

Annual Bonus: 4%

Work Schedule: Mon – Fri

Travel: 0 - 5% for training

12 hour rotating shift, AMG on call as required

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Instills safety in others, by being safety minded and modeling good safety practices

Exhibits understanding of and performing job duties in compliance with all local and federal governmental regulations (FDA, OSHA, EPA, DOT, cGMP, etc.) , and all company policies and procedures. (including MOC’s, PSSR’s, and QIR’s, etc.)

Ensuring on-site contractors, vendors, guests, or visitors site specific training requirements are met and documented, and support of Hold Harmless & Insurance Policies and Procedures.

Performs administrative function responsibilities as delegated by Plant Manager.

Interacts with national and local product scheduling to meet customer requirements.

Ensures customer product delivery requirements and pertinent documentation and affiliated reporting requirements are completed on time and with zero defects.

Compliance to Qualification and Training program in company electronic training systems.

Acquires knowledge and ability in all plant operations including processes and equipment.

Monitors and makes operating adjustments to optimize efficiency.

Demonstrates ability to communicate with both written and spoken English at the 12th grade level.

Mechanically inclined.

Level I: Entry level position. Develops and demonstrates basic skills for the process plant. Works under supervision of more senior technicians while completing training tasks.

0 To 6 Months Of Related Operations Experience Preferred.

Retrieve and utilize Airgas SOPs

Demonstrate basic (piping, valves) understanding of P&IDs and PFDs.

Familiar with basic plant operation: taking rounds, loading trucks, conducting water tests, shift turnover.

Small plants - can operate the plant in steady state (normal operation and knows who to contact and what to do in event of emergency or unusual conditions)

Level II: Works unattended completing basic activities to operate the plant and supervise site activities when more senior techs or facility manager is not available.

1 Year Of Related Operations Experience Preferred.

Knowledgeable in plant HMI screens and/or control stations (operation, what to do)

Participates in Time-Out investigations, documents incidents in Intellex

Trained and knowledgeable in the work order process; Participate in minor maintenance activities.

Trained to perform outside/truck loading, basic board operations, compressor start-up and shutdown.

Issues basic Safe Work Permits; Implements basic LOTO; Leads pre-job briefing (training documented in Airgas University where appropriate)

Operates the plant (including remote facilities) in steady state (normal operation); Initiates action to take in event of emergency or unusual conditions. Operates back-up system (if applicable) without assistance.

Level III: Demonstrates in-depth understanding of plant processes. Exhibits and understanding of customer requirements, operational goals and demands, plant process optimization, and critical process loops Acts and assumes key responsibilities of Facility Manager during his/her absence.

Associates degree / technical training preferred in a chemical plant operations with refrigeration, screw compressors, reciprocating compressors, water treatment, absorption beds and desiccant dryers, analyzers, and other process equipment required.

2-5 Years Related Experience Preferred.

Trained on and calibrates analyzers.

Performs minor maintenance activities; Maintains local spare parts; Performs minor PM activities.

Performs ASU/NLU/LCO2/HPN cold plant start-up (H2 warm); performs routine VSA start-up (if applicable)

Monitors, understands and can explain Facility KPI's; Updates downtime in SAP and/or LIRE when required

Applies process safety programs (MOC, etc.) to operations

Ability to understand plant Interlock Schedule including what triggers Interlocks and Shutdowns, and what resulting actions occur. Demonstrates detailed understanding of P&IDs and can draw plant process schematic from memory.

Participates in root cause analysis for incidents, near misses, Good Catches; Troubleshoots single piece of equipment for root cause of abnormal situation

Board operations, start-up and shutdown without assistance from senior level or can direct start-up and shutdown activities requiring multiple technicians, basic plant troubleshooting.

Coordinates major maintenance activities. Completes complex safe-work permitting and LOTO.

Alarm management and troubleshoots subsystems for root cause of abnormal situations.

Level IV: Demonstrates advanced knowledge and understanding of control board and operating off of operator interface consoles. Conducts efficiency analysis (power, heat transfer, etc.); including advanced troubleshooting, and optimizes plant processes successfully.

________________________Are you a MATCH?

REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor's Degree / advanced technical training preferred in a chemical plant operations with refrigeration, screw compressors, reciprocating compressors, water treatment, absorption beds and desiccant dryers, analyzers, and other process equipment required.

5-10 Years Of Related Operations Experience Preferred.

ASU/NLU/LCO2/HPN warm plant start-up (H2 cold), without assistance.

Develops/writes site SOPs

Electrical qualification to rack in/out breakers (if applicable). Can read basic electrical one-line diagrams

Identifies areas of improvements and takes action to correct out of spec Facility KPI's (including remote facilities, if applicable)

Demonstrates safety leadership by: 1) develop/design IDL; 2) lead safety meetings; 3) lead HSES self-inspection

Involvement in generating and maintaining site-specific Standard Operating Procedures, P&ID’s, PFD’s, and all other technical documentation as relates to operational or equipment processes.

Senior level plus multiple plant/technology experience (can be I&E, maint. etc.)

Directs and develops plant derime or NH3 system pumpdown (CO2); experience as lead with 2-3 hands-on activities

Manages action items as assigned (from audits, incidents, etc.) and tracks to completion

Designs preventative action plan to avoid process upsets

Demonstrates safety leadership by: 1) participate in PHA/Risk Assessment; 2) Safety Champion; 3) lead what-if drills; 4) conduct self-assessments on safe work permits

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

May be assigned and must be willing to work rotating shifts.

May be required to be on call and shares “On-call” responsibilities with Facility Manager as needed.

Must be able to wear required PPE safety equipment including, hardhat, safety glasses, safety. shoes/boots, ear protection, and possible respirator protection.

Must be able to lift 60 lbs.

Must be willing to travel as needed for training or to support other sites.

Follows policies and procedures and adheres to notification procedures for vacation scheduling, floating holidays, and personal days off.

Fills in for vacations and emergency shift relief coverage as situations warrant.

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Benefits

We care about and support our Airgas Families. This is evident not only through our competitive compensation but also through a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision plans, short-term and long-term disability, life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), pre-tax commuter transportation benefit, parental leave, vacation, sick time, floating holidays, jury duty and funeral/bereavement leave, and paid holidays for all eligible full-time employees.

Additionally, we offer our eligible employees a 401k plan with company matching funds, tuition reimbursement, discounted college tuition for eligible employees’ dependents, and an Airgas Scholarship Program for dependent children.

Associates who are members of collective bargaining units should review their bargaining agreement to determine whether they are eligible for some or all of the benefits described here and to see any special terms or conditions for eligibility.

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Your DIFFERENCES enhance our PERFORMANCE

At Airgas, we are committed to building a workplace that embraces the diversity of our employees, our customers, patients, community stakeholders and cultures across the world.

We welcome and consider applications from all qualified applicants, regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability or any other protected characteristic. We strongly believe a diverse organization opens up opportunities for people to express their talent, both individually and collectively and it helps foster our ability to innovate by living our fundamentals, acting for our success and creating an engaging environment in a changing world.

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About Airgas

Airgas, an Air Liquide company, is a leading U.S. supplier of industrial, medical and specialty gases, as well as hardgoods and related products; one of the largest U.S. suppliers of safety products; and a leading U.S. supplier of ammonia products and process chemicals. Through the passion and diversity of its 18,000 associates, Airgas fosters a culture of safety, customer success, sustainability and innovation. Airgas associates are empowered to share ideas, take initiative and make decisions.

Airgas is a subsidiary of Air Liquide, a world leader in gases, technologies and services for industry and healthcare. Present in 60 countries with approximately 66,500 employees, Air Liquide serves more than 4 million customers and patients.

Join us for a stimulating experience: At Airgas, you matter and so does the work you do. As a member of our team, you play an important role in the success of your team, making sure our products are created sustainably and delivered safely and efficiently. In turn, you’ll find a welcoming workplace where you’re valued for who you are and where you can fill your potential while growing a fulfilling career — whatever path you choose.

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Equal Employment Opportunity Information

We are an equal opportunity employer. We welcome all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.

Airgas, an Air Liquide Company is a Government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Airgas does not discriminate against qualified applicants with disabilities, and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to the known disabilities of such individuals so as to ensure equal access to benefits and privileges of employment. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact us by email at [e-mail].

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