Superintendent-Production

Westlake Chemical; Geismar (LA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Westlake Chemical is seeking a Superintendent - Production (VCM) to lead day-to-day operations of the VCM area, ensuring safety, quality, reliability, and cost targets are met. You will direct supervisors and operators, coordinate outages, and partner with engineering and maintenance to optimize plant performance.

The role requires a engineering degree (or substantial equivalent experience) and a track record of leading production teams in petrochemical settings, with strong safety focus and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering plus 7+ years of process/production experience in a refinery or chemical plant; or a high school diploma with 10+ years of operating experience in a refinery/chemical plant.
• Demonstrated ability to lead production employees in a chemical manufacturing or similar process environment.
• Knowledge of safety, environmental, quality, production, yield, cost, and reliability performance expectations.
• Working knowledge of OSHA PSM requirements, operating procedures, incident investigation, and field operating discipline.
• Strong communication, coordination, troubleshooting, and decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations of the assigned production area through direct oversight of supervisors and operators.
• Direct production teams to meet safety, reliability, and cost targets.
• Coordinate outages, maintenance planning, and process changes with engineering and maintenance groups.
• Train and coach operators and supervisors on operating discipline and safety.
• Investigate incidents and drive root-cause analysis for permanent improvements.
• Support continuous improvement and adherence to company policies.

Skills

People leadership

Safety compliance

Troubleshooting

Coordination

Decision-making

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Westlake offers you the potential to enrich your work life and career experience in an entrepreneurial environment. We work together to enhance peoples' lives through our products and presence in the communities in which we operate.

SUMMARY Westlake makes chemical and plastic products, which in turn make life better for people every day.

We are a quality manufacturer and dependable global supplier of petrochemicals, plastics and building products.

Our mission is to serve our clients by enhancing daily life through the products and services we provide.

The Superintendent - Production (VCM) is responsible for day-to-day production leadership and execution of the operating plan for the assigned VCM operating area. This role provides direct oversight of Area Supervisors, Shift Supervisors, OMC’s, and Production Operators and coordinates closely with the Unit Manager, Production Engineers, Maintenance, Technical, Safety, Environmental, Laboratory, and Engineering resources to achieve safety, environmental, quality, production, reliability, yield, and cost objectives. The Superintendent ensures operating discipline, supports troubleshooting and incident investigation, coordinates planned and unplanned outages, and develops production personnel to maintain safe, reliable, and compliant operations.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

May include, but are not limited to, the following:

Safety, Environmental and Compliance

• Performs duties in a manner that protects personal safety and the safety of all personnel on site.
• Promotes safe work practices, operating discipline, and compliance with company policies, site procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Promptly reports Safety, Health, Environmental, Quality, or operating incidents or concerns so corrective action can be taken.
• Responsible for completion and follow-up of production-related Safety and Environmental action items, including recommendations from process hazard analyses, audits, and incident investigations.
• Supports operator certification and training requirements associated with OSHA PSM and site operating procedures.

Daily Operations and Production Execution

• Responsible and accountable for day-to-day operations of the assigned operating area through direct oversight of Production Supervisor, OMC’s, and Production Operators.
• Directs production teams with appropriate operating targets to maintain safe and reliable plant performance.
• Monitors daily yields, quality, energy, production, and cost performance against agreed targets.
• Assists in establishing the monthly operating plan and provides production input for monthly operating reports.
• Ensures standard operating procedures and production schedules are followed and that deviations are escalated and addressed appropriately.

Maintenance, Outage and Technical Coordination

• Coordinates with Production Supervisors on scheduled and unscheduled turnarounds, plant outages, non-routine activities, process changes, project implementation, and operating or technical training needs.
• Coordinates with Production Engineers and Maintenance to align production priorities, equipment availability, and maintenance execution.
• Represents production and technical interests in maintenance scheduling and planning meetings.
• Reviews work-order backlog, solicits operating input, prioritizes work, and follows up until completion.
• Initiates and follows up on necessary work orders to support safe, reliable, and efficient operations.

Training, Procedures and Organizational Capability

• Directs training of new operators and ensures production personnel receive the training necessary to achieve safe, compliant, and improved production performance.
• Assists in reviewing, rewriting, and generating operating procedures to ensure procedures remain current and effective.
• Coaches Production Supervisors, OMC’s and Production Operators on operating discipline, troubleshooting expectations, and escalation practices.
• Supports development of production personnel by reinforcing expectations for safety, reliability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Incident Investigation and Problem Solving

• Participates in the investigation of mechanical, process, Safety, Environmental, Quality, and operational incidents or shortcomings in a timely manner.
• Helps determine root cause and recommends procedures, corrective actions, or modifications to prevent recurrence.
• Ensures solutions are actively pursued for permanent plant improvements.
• Recommends appropriate personnel actions when warranted and in coordination with leadership and Human Resources.

Continuous Improvement and Company Support

• Fully supports company goals of continuous improvement and operational excellence at strategic and tactical levels.
• Reviews assigned areas for improvement opportunities and initiates projects or communicates ideas to management.
• Actively participates on project teams and supports implementation of approved improvements.
• Complies with all company policies and procedures.
• This position may be required to drive company vehicles from time to time.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering and a minimum of 7 years of process or production experience in a refinery or chemical plant; or High School Diploma or equivalent with at least 10 years of operating experience in a refinery or chemical plant.
• Demonstrated ability to lead production employees in a chemical manufacturing or similar process operating environment.
• General knowledge of safety, environmental, quality, production, yield, cost, and reliability performance expectations.
• Working knowledge of OSHA PSM requirements, operating procedures, incident investigation, and field operating discipline.
• Strong communication, coordination, troubleshooting, and decision-making skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Chemical Engineering degree.
• VCM, chlor-alkali, PVC, or related petrochemical manufacturing experience.
• Prior experience supervising operators or serving in a lead operations role.
• Experience coordinating outages, maintenance planning, procedure updates, operator training, or production improvement initiatives.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. Employee may be required to use stairs/elevators and have the ability to occasionally work at elevated heights. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Additionally, this position must take general decisions requiring judgement and perform activities requiring sustained concentration.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate as normally based in an office. Some of the work may be required in the operating units which can require usage of required PPE including safety glasses, hearing protection, FRC (flame retardant clothing) etc. May also result in exposure to outside elements and may require usage of stairs and elevators. Travel including air travel or auto travel may occasionally be required.

Westlake is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable legislation.

Westlake is a global manufacturer and supplier of materials and innovative products that enhance life every day. Headquartered in Houston, with operations in Asia, Europe and North America, we provide the building blocks for vital solutions - from housing and construction, to packaging and healthcare, to automotive and consumer. For more information, visit the company's web site at www.westlake.com.

Westlake (NYSE: WLK) is a global diversified industrial company that manufactures and supplies essential products that enhance the daily lives of people around the globe. Our products, now under a One Westlake brand, supply the necessary building blocks for everyday products across housing and infrastructure, packaging and healthcare, and automotive and consumer goods. Consumers gain the benefits of materials Westlake produces in products such as food packaging, medical devices, soaps and detergents, car interiors, fashion, toys, shoes, furniture, electronics, siding, stone veneer, windows, outdoor living, roofing, and pipe & fittings.

Westlake is proud to contribute to driving a sustainable future through the creation of essential products that are Enhancing Your Life Every Day.

To view other career opportunities at Westlake and our family of companies, visit https://westlaketalent.com