Process Specialist

AkzoNobel; Kentucky; On-site; USD 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K retirement savings

Medical insurance with HSA

Vacation & holidays

Parental leave

Disability insurance

Job summary

AkzoNobel in the United States is seeking a Process Specialist to support safety-driven operations in Huron, OH. You will ensure PSM compliance, develop and review operating procedures, support MOC, PHA, and PSSR activities, and investigate incidents to close gaps.

You will perform front-line troubleshooting for reactor operations, monitor performance metrics, and collaborate with Production, Maintenance, Engineering, and Quality teams to drive safe, reliable operation and continuous

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering and 3+ years of chemical manufacturing experience.
• Strong knowledge of reactor-based processes and process control fundamentals.
• Experience with OSHA PSM and associated compliance activities.
• Proven ability to drive process improvements using structured problem-solving methods.

Responsibilities

• Ensure OSHA PSM compliance and safe operating practices.
• Provide front-line troubleshooting for reactor operations.
• Lead process safety activities (MOC, PHA, PSSR) and incident investigations.
• Lead continuous improvement and standard work initiatives.
• Coordinate cross-functional actions with EHS, Quality, Engineering, and Maintenance.

Skills

Reactor knowledge

PSM compliance

MOC & PHA

Industrial safety

DCS/PLC experience

Strong communication

Power BI/SharePoint

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Rockwell DCS

Data historians

Job description

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Process Specialist

Date: Aug 4, 2026

Location: Huron, OH, US, 44839

About AkzoNobel

Since 1792, we’ve been supplying the innovative paints and coatings that help to color people’s lives and protect what matters most. Our world class portfolio of brands – including Dulux, International, Sikkens and Interpon – is trusted by customers around the globe. We’re active in more than 150 countries and use our expertise to sustain and enhance the fabric of everyday life. Because we believe every surface is an opportunity. It’s what you’d expect from a pioneering and long-established paints company that’s dedicated to providing sustainable solutions and preserving the best of what we have today – while creating an even better tomorrow. Let’s paint the future together.

Key Responsibilites

Process Safety & PSM Compliance

• Serve as a key production/technical resource to ensure compliance with OSHA PSM and site process safety requirements for covered processes.
• Support and/or lead assigned PSM elements, including:
• Operating Procedures (develop, revise, and periodically certify; ensure procedures reflect safe operating limits and current equipment configuration)
• Management of Change (MOC) technical input, implementation readiness, and field validation
• Participate in Process Hazard Analyses (PHA) and support action item closure
• Pre-Startup Safety Reviews (PSSR) for process changes, new equipment, and startups
• Incident investigations / RCA and corrective action tracking
• Mechanical Integrity interface (process/operability input and critical equipment understanding)
• Process Safety Information (PSI) accuracy support (limits, safe operating envelopes, chemical hazards)
• Promote a strong process safety culture through safe work practices, proactive hazard identification, and effective coordination with maintenance/contractors.

Daily Operations Support / Troubleshooting

• Provide front-line process troubleshooting for reactor operations (e.g., charging, reaction control, heat removal, agitation, reflux/venting, filtration/transfer, sampling, off-spec prevention).
• Monitor and analyze process performance and deviations using metrics such as RFT, MME, OEE, yield, cycle time, energy/utility usage, downtime, cost, and customer complaints; identify trends and recommend corrective actions.
• Partner with Production, Maintenance, Engineering, and Quality to investigate and resolve equipment/process issues (e.g., temperature control loops, relief/vent systems, instrumentation reliability, fouling, polymerization upsets, batch variability), including coordination of corrective actions and follow-up.
• Support safe startup/shutdown activities, abnormal situation management, and response to process alarms and deviations.

Continuous Improvement / Lean Execution

• Identify, prioritize, and execute process improvements using structured methodologies (A3, RCA, PDCA, Lean/Six Sigma).
• Improve batch consistency, reduce variability, and drive waste reduction (rework, scrap, solvent loss, off-spec product, changeover losses).
• Support/lead ALPS/Lean initiatives and standard work implementation to improve safety, quality, delivery, and efficiency.
• Documentation, Standardization & Training
• Author, revise, and control SOPs, work instructions, process checklists, and troubleshooting guides to standardize best practices and meet PSM Operating Procedure requirements.
• Support the development and execution of training plans for operators and shift leadership; coach and mentor new and tenured personnel on best practices, incident learnings, changes in operation, and call-to-action/abnormal scenarios.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Act as the production technical representative for site functional groups (EHS/PSM, Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, Logistics), ensuring production-related actions and follow-through are completed.
• Communicate clearly across departments and shifts to align on priorities, downtime events, improvement activities, and safety/quality risks.
• Support production planning/execution by providing technical input related to manufacturability, constraints, and run strategies.

Shift Support (As Needed)

• Provide shift supervisory coverage/support for absences/vacations and during critical operating periods, consistent with training and site expectations.

Job Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering or related field and 3+ years of experience supporting manufacturing operations in a chemical/process industry environment or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of reactor-based chemical manufacturing and process control fundamentals (temperature/pressure control, reaction kinetics impacts, heat transfer, agitation/mixing, material compatibility).
• Demonstrated experience working in an OSHA PSM-covered environment and supporting compliance activities (MOC, PHA, operating procedures, incident investigation, PSSR, etc.).
• Proven ability to drive measurable process improvements using structured problem-solving methods (A3, RCA, PDCA, Lean/Six Sigma).
• Experience with DCS/PLC systems and historian tools and basic control loop understanding/tuning concepts.
• Strong communication and technical writing skills (ability to write clear, compliant SOPs and communicate effectively across shifts and departments).
• Strong computer skills (Microsoft Office). Ability to work with plant data systems; Power BI/SharePoint capability preferred.
• Must be able to work off-shifts as needed/required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in Resins/Coatings industry
• Experience with Rockwell DCS.
• Experience with quality systems in chemical manufacturing (spec management, SPC, CAPA).
• Aptitude for technical writing is preferred.

Base salary range for this role is: $85,000 to $95,000. This is the range that we in good faith anticipate relying on when setting wages for this position. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This salary range may also be modified in the future.

• Benefits start on day 1
• 401K retirement savings with 6% company match
• Medical insurance with HSA
• Generous vacation, sick and holiday pay
• Short & Long term disability
• Paid Parental leave after 1 year
• Active Diversity & Inclusion Networks
• Employee referral bonus

At AkzoNobel we are highly committed to ensuring an inclusive and respectful workplace where all employees can be their best self. We strive to embrace diversity in a context of tolerance. Our talent acquisition process plays an integral part in this journey, as setting the foundations for a diverse environment. For this reason we train and educate on the implications of our Unconscious Bias in order for our TA and hiring managers to be mindful of them and take corrective actions when applicable. In our organization, all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age or disability.