Lead Tech - Occidental Petroleum Corporation

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 polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resins, chlorine and caustic soda – 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. OxyChem's market position is among the top three producers in the United States in 2017 for the principal products it manufactures and markets. Based in Dallas, Texas, the company has manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Canada and Latin America.

In a fast-paced industry that demands precision, we create a supportive workplace where the safety and well-being of our employees are paramount. We are committed to rewarding top performers, offering very competitive pay and benefits, and providing tremendous career development opportunities. We are looking for an experienced and self-motivated individuals to fill the positions of Lead Techs within our Chemical Manufacturing Facility located in Niagara Falls, Ontario Canada.

RESPONSIBILITIES: 
 1/ Provides leadership and direction for the daily activities of the Distribution department. 

• The Lead Tech will lead, organize, and assign tasks for daily shift operations and personnel in the Distribution Department to maintain and ensure safe, efficient distribution of products/supplies in a cooperative and respectful manner. 
• Coordinates daily Distribution group activities with the Traffic Coordinator. 
• Manages VCM and PVC storage inventories and proactively communicates any potential issues with Department Supervisor/Manager.
• Coordinates activities and schedules with the Distribution department staff at the direction of the Process Supervisor to ensure plant shipments and inventory management requirements are met while maintaining efficient rail operations.
• Reviews daily and weekly departmental position objectives and maintenance schedules and promotes teamwork and communications across the shifts.
• Implements daily distribution schedules, organizes shift task responsibilities, maintains and promotes positive employee morale, and ensures compliance to standard operating procedures.
• Collects and reviews all daily Distribution forms for completeness and area status.  Communicates distribution issues and maintenance priorities to the Department Supervisor/Manager.  Review shipment photos and documentation for completeness.
• Communicates maintenance action plans to the Process Supervisor, maintenance and operating personnel. Attends the daily maintenance meeting, discusses maintenance issues, and plans equipment preparation if required.
• Conducts periodic VCM car checks for AVCM in the rail yard with staff.
• Coordinates outside contractor maintenance work for the Distribution area including Railcar cleaning, Rail Track maintenance, Railcar/Track Mobile/Locomotive inspection and repair, track snow removal/vegetation control, and any other Distribution related contractor activity.
• Orders parts and materials as needed for work or maintenance activities.  This includes creating purchase requisitions for materials or labor.
• Covers Distribution responsibilities of the Process Supervisor during vacation or other absence periods. 

2/ Executes the requirements of the plant Safety Program 

• Determines HSE hazards related to assigned tasks, communicates with supervision, and takes action to eliminate. 
• Enforces plant safety rules and requirements.
• Coordinates and leads daily shift safety and planning meetings with the Distribution staff.  Ensures all daily work activities are conducted in support of HSE objectives and policies.
• Understands and uses personal accountability to assist with carrying out duties, responsibilities and authority as defined in HSE policies, programs, practices and procedures.
• Interacts with the plant Safety Specialist for work and maintenance activity planning as needed and understands the plant safety rules, safety program, and requirements.
• Ensures plant safety rules and programs are implemented with maintenance action items, attains plant safety objectives, and monitors housekeeping.
• Communicates safety rules and safety programs to operating personnel, maintenance and contractors, communicates issues to management.
• Performs a job observation report monthly and leads by setting a good example. Participates in incident investigations in a positive way.
• Issues permits, including job preparation and lockout as needed, as outlined by the approved permit approver program.
• Writes and reviews MoC’s as needed for process or procedure changes.  Completes action items assigned via FrontLine. 

3/ Complies with environmental regulations for the department 

• Interacts with the Environmental Department, maintenance and management, for compliance with the Ministry of Environment guidelines, OHSA regulations, environmental operating procedures, emergency response procedures and department position objectives.
• Tracks and works to reduce AVCM readings at VCM Unloading. Communicates operating practices and strategies to distribution personnel for execution, issues QPA permits in the field to production and maintenance personnel to minimize VCM emissions. 

4/ Troubleshoots abnormal process variables and equipment malfunctions within the department 

• Interacts with Process Engineers, maintenance and management to troubleshoot equipment and process issues. Interacts with process control computer system (Delta V),  interprets laboratory data, inspection of process equipment to help in the troubleshooting process. 
  Reviews, troubleshoots, and communicates malfunctions and their resolution to management for investigation, prepares and prioritizes maintenance work orders, communicates strategies to operating personnel.
• Executes the principles of Quality Management.
• Interprets QM philosophy and procedures, interprets SPC and SQC practices.
• Develops strategies to promote the concept and acceptance of QM.  Assists in root cause analysis for customer complaints related to the Distribution Area.

QUALIFICATIONS :

Education : Successful completion of a Community College diploma in related field of study preferably in a (STEM) program or equivalent knowledge and experience. Sound knowledge of the distribution function and related processes, procedures and systems in a plant environment. Sound knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and regulations. Knowledge of and ability to operate basic computer software applications including Microsoft Excel, Word, Power-point, Outlook, and to conduct research using the internet. (SAP knowledge preferred). Problem solving/analytical skills, strong organizational and coordination skills and team building skills.

Experience : Related plant experience in a Production department with an understanding of plant supply chain management including strong working knowledge of inventory controls, distribution practices preferred. Must have related experience and be familiar with plant operations, systems, processes and procedures . Strong interpersonal/communication and team building skills are required and experience planning, leading and coordinating staff, organizing and delegating work are preferred.  Experience with maintenance planning and permitting experience preferred.  Administrative, analytical and problem solving skills to resolve issues effectively.  Ability to deal with staff/visitors/public with tact, diplomacy and courtesy. In addition, must have previous experience with Health and Safety practices and procedures in a manufacturing environment, ideally a chemical processing facility. 

Oxy is an Equal Opportunity Employer