Organic Technical Manager

• 00030413

Contribute. Grow. Lead… with OxyChem. Looking for a challenge? Desire to achieve your true potential? OxyChem is a growing, action-oriented, safety driven chemical manufacturing company continually striving to be the best in the business while staying focused on environmental protection. The secret to our success has and will continue to be our people.

Occidental Chemical Corporation (OxyChem) is a leading North American manufacturer of chlorine and caustic soda, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resins – key building blocks for a variety of indispensable products such as plastics, pharmaceuticals, and water treatment chemicals. Other OxyChem products include caustic potash, chlorinated organics, sodium silicates, chlorinated isocyanurates, and calcium chloride. For every product it makes, OxyChem’s market position is No. 1 or No. 2 in the U.S.

In a fast-paced industry we create a supportive workplace where safety and well-being of our employees is paramount. We are committed to rewarding top performers, offering competitive pay and benefits, and providing tremendous career opportunities. We are looking for an experienced, self-motivated leader to fill the position of Organic Technical Manager within our Technology organization. The position will reside at our Technical Center in Wichita, Kansas.

Essential Job Duties

This position is responsible for leading and overseeing the Wichita Organic Technical Center’s Research & Development and Analytical Group activities to support OxyChem’s Business objectives. The successful candidate will:

• Maintain as our highest priority protection of the health and safety of our employees, customers, and the communities in which we operate and protect the environment.
• Supervise (directly and indirectly) a total of 15 technology professionals.
• Understand and work in accordance with all site safety and environmental procedures including Oxy’s key procedures.
• Administer the Technical Center’s Chemical Hygiene Safety Plan.
• Identify, recommend, and manage research activities to develop new products, improve existing products, improve manufacturing efficiency, improve safety of OxyChem manufacturing processes, improve product quality, and reduce the environmental footprint impact of OxyChem.
• Liaison with manufacturing, marketing, and business management to identify, plan, and execute collaborative projects to manufacture new products and improve existing processes.
• Apply 1) advanced understanding of chemistry, 2) technical expertise, and 3) principles of chemicals manufacture, to identify new applications for organic and inorganic chemicals.
• Lead the Wichita Tech Center Analytical Group ensuring highly reliable accurate chemical analyses. Develop new analytical procedures as necessary.
• Maintain current awareness of significant trends and advances in chemistry or markets, and initiate and recommend new technology for project development or use in manufacturing.
• Produce clear, concise, accurate, and timely written and oral reports.
• Grow, manage, oversee development, and as necessary defend OxyChem’s intellectual properties portfolio including procuring patents both domestically and internationally.
• Develop and execute annually the fiscal budget for Organic Technical Center to manage labor, pilot plant operation, lab operation, maintenance, raw materials, utilities, and disposal expenses.
• Develop and execute annually Capital Spending Program for Organic Technical Center.
• Drive the Technical Center’s Process Safety Management (PSM) program including execution of Process Hazard Analyses (PHA’s), compliance with Management of Change (MOC’s), pre-start up safety reviews (PSSR’s) and diligently investigate incidents.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field is required
• A minimum of 15 years of technical experience in development or manufacture of chlorinated organics or chlor alkali.
• Supervisory Experience
• Good problem solving and organizational skills.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work efficiently with minimal supervision.
• Good interpersonal skills. Must be able to work in teams.
• Must be able to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Proficient in analytical methodologies and instrumentation.
• High degree of problem solving and organizational skills.
• Comfortable presenting information to all levels of management, vendors, and customers.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• High proficiency in or ability to learn SAP applications and transactions.
• Requires domestic travel, may require international travel as required to support assignments.
• Physical requirements – Must be able to lift 40 pounds, climb ladders, and stairs. Walking, bending, stooping is required. Must be able to wear personal protective equipment as required. Must be able to respond to visual and audible alarms.

Value Added Qualifications

• Experience in an industrial R&D or Technology organization
• Experience in intellectual property development and protection.
• Chlorinated Organics Technology or Manufacturing Experience.
• Granted Intellectual properties or authored scientific publications

Occidental is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, political preference, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.