Location:
Chatham, VA, US
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Employment Type: Regular
Category: Engineering & Technology
Posting Date: Jul 25, 2026
Job Summary
This is a high-profile position interacting with all departments in the plant, Coating Solutions group, and Arkema. The role is responsible for the development and implementation of improvement to the plant manufacturing processes that positively affect productivity, quality, environment, reliability, and profitability. The position provides day-to-day engineering management and troubleshooting. This role will be involved with the ideation, development, and execution of projects to positively impact plant operations and competitiveness.
This is position is based at the plant site with all the physical risks inherent with a work at a chemical manufacturing plant. The position will require on-call availability to solve production problems as required.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
Project / Problem Solving (50%)
Achieve at least a Green Belt certification and apply six sigma tools to identify plant opportunities
Contributes new ideas and approaches to process improvement and builds consensus on project implementation
Use a data driven process to lead the site’s Continuous Improvement Lead to prioritize improvement opportunities of the key plant performance metrics, including sustainability efforts (Arkenergy, GHG reduction)
Manage projects through the site’s Management of Change (MOC) process and support tracking of projects in QuimeO and CAPEX process
Leads root cause analysis and other trouble shooting methodologies to resolve safety, production and quality problems. Implements Six Sigma methodologies more complex problems or projects
Reviews and adapts ideas from other areas of technology to solve problems and/or improve processes through to project implementation
Leads improvement projects, collaborating with manufacturing teams, engineering personnel, and R&D representatives; these may be capital, or non-capital, and includes participating or leading various reviews such as process hazards analysis, management of change and pre-start up safety reviews
Ensures workplace safety by conducting safety observations and reviews while adhering to safety regulations and procedures
Plant Process/ Production Engineering (40%)
Provide day-to-day plant process / production troubleshooting, guidance and support; work with plant supervisors, operators and engineers in resolving plant production issues and in preparing for campaigns of products as needed.
Provide input to the Supply chain organization and the plant scheduler to ensure the plant is scheduled efficiently and in a way that avoids production or quality impacts.
Own management of plant solvent and work with logistics and the Chatham facility to ensure solvent is available when needed and solvent use is optimized.
Provide DCS support as needed to resolve or triage minor batch control issues when needed.
Requires On-Call support
Lead implementation and improvement of OEE system that can be used to identify opportunities for production improvements and to assess and measure plant capacity.
Maintain knowledge and drive accuracy in the accounting systems used to measure and track the consumption and generation of materials and energy through the production process, including updating BOMs as appropriate.
Ensure process complies with OSHA, EPA and Arkema requirements, including maintaining assigned process safety information and participating in Process Hazard Assessments for assigned areas.
Work with other departments to test critical systems of assigned areas.
Other (10%)
Maintain effective management systems that monitor production activities, including sustainability, efficiency, cost, regulatory compliance, and energy.
Provide applicable reporting of deviations (OEE, safety, environmental, production, quality)
Assist in investigations, audits, annual reviews and other management system events to promote collaboration and continuous improvement.
Help support / mentor less experienced engineers
Other duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications and Education Required
Min Years of Experience: More than 3 years of experience manufacturing, preferably in a batch processing chemical environment
Education and area of focus: Chemical Engineering degree or similar
Certifications / Trainings:
Six Sigma certification preferred (Green Belt or above)
Familiarity with PSM, OSHA and other safety or regulatory requirements
Demonstrated ability to explain complex technical issues to all varieties of audience and leaves a clear understanding of message
Strong computer capabilities
Competencies -Knowledge Skills & Abilities (KSAs)
Curious, agile learner who drives improvement through critical thinking, adaptability, and flexibility
Ability and desire to act as change agent to improve plant performance while maintaining high engagement
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to function under pressure
Problem solving skills and personal judgement to take independent action
Strong initiative, proactive, self-directed
Ability to influence others through developing relationships and trust
Results Oriented
HES Requirement – All Jobs:
Supports site HES policy and complies with all regulatory and internal requirements
Participates in HES activities provided by site management and Arkema Inc. (e.g., Behavioral Base Safety, SafeStart, etc.)
Supports and promotes the reporting of all health, safety, environmental, near-miss, accident or injury incidents
Physical Demands / Working Conditions:
Chemical manufacturing facility with all inherent risks
On-call status for off- hours production problem solving
Compensation & Benefits:
Annual salary range: $87,800 - $116,300
Access our employee benefits information here: https://benefits.arkema.com/
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Who we are? Arkema is a world leader in Innovative Materials for a Sustainable World with the ambition to become a pure Specialty Materials player.
We thrive as One Arkema, comprised of many businesses and brands including Bostik, ArrMaz, and more! and operating with a global reach in 55 countries with more than 20,700 employees. Each one contributes to positioning Arkema as a recognized leader of specialty chemicals and advanced materials, reporting annual sales of €9.1 billion, of which 3.1% allocated to R&D for 1,800 researchers in 17 R&D centers.
If you pursue excellence, love innovation and are inspired by challenges, we encourage you through www.arkema.com to learn more about our values – Solidarity, Performance, Simplicity, Empowerment, and Inclusion – and how we concentrate on advances in bio-based and recyclable materials, new energies, water management, electronic solutions, lightweight materials and design, home efficiency and insulation.
Changing the world requires the right formula. The right formula consists of our innovative and sustainable materials, and you. Join us to develop the materials of tomorrow and make a difference together. What are you made of?
The legal information below pertains specifically to positions posted in the United States, however we strive for diversity, equity and inclusion in all the countries that we hire.
Arkema Inc. provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Arkema Inc. complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting and hiring.
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