Process Safety Engineer

Vantage is a leading supplier of naturally derived specialty ingredients and formulations that cater to the evolving needs of industrial and consumer markets. Through our chemistries, our customer focus and our global footprint, we are ENABLING TOMORROW'S SOLUTIONS TODAY.

As a company on the move, you'll be working as part of a collaborative team and getting to know the cultural diversity of our world. We learn from each other to constantly improve, adapt and iterate. We value the voice and talent of our colleagues by empowering them to drive their unique ideas to completion. We're convinced that exceptionally motivated employees produce outstanding results. Most importantly, we know you're going to like it here. For more information visit: www.vantagegrp.com or LinkedIn/vantage.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Process Safety Engineer position has high visibility, leading and supporting the site's Process Safety Management strategies. This position will allow you to work with the team to establish a robust Process Safety Management program for the site. As the program is implemented, the role will take on process engineering aspects focused on improving performance in the areas of safety, environmental, operating rates, efficiencies and yields.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Devise and implement PSM standards and incorporate best practices from other sites. Support plan compliance requirements for OSHA, PSM & RMP regulations.
• Compile and manage process safety information (PSI) to support process safety, management of change, training, risk assessments and emergency response activities.
• Ensure that process safety related documentation for all identified hazards are developed and maintained. This includes reviewing and organizing P&IDs and PFDs as necessary.
• Coordinate and facilitate process safety management through leading the site's Process Hazard Analysis program to identify, evaluate and control potential process hazards
• Ensure that an annual program of PHAs are compiled and adhered to which includes the close out of actions related to PSM and the completion of annual site internal audits.
• Facilitate or participate in process hazard analyses (PHAs), safety integrity level (SIL) studies, introduction of new raw materials, MOCs, and PSSRs as required.
• Review MOCs for PSM related items. Ensure PSSR (Pre-Startup Safety Review) are completed for all Management of Change (MOCs).
• Provide engineering technical input into process design and hazard studies. Review projects, changes and activities to ensure Process Safety items are identified and addressed.
• Act as site point of contact for all process safety related matters and provides day-to-day advice & guidance on process safety issues.
• Participate in and/or lead incident investigations related to PSM/RMP-covered processes. Ensure that root causes are properly identified and appropriately addressed.
• Participate in PSM/RMP compliance audits, oversee the development of post-audit corrective/preventive actions, and track them to completion.
• Track site KPIs to drive continual improvement of process safety and risk mitigation. Continually monitor the status of PSM program elements to ensure improvement, including identifying areas where additional support and/or training is needed.
• Identify process safety training needs and provides that training through in-house resources or external consultancy, including mentoring new engineers and employees in PSM.
• Provide technical support to site personnel to ensure PSM equipment is designed, maintained, modified, operated and decommissioned in a manner that complies with industry recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices (RAGAGEPs).
• Work closely with all disciplines to identify opportunities for improvement and ensure plant processes are aligned to provide maximum output levels and efficiencies.
• Ensure safe processes, work conditions, and behaviors through active leadership in Safety, Health and Environment (SHE). This includes completing audits and driving safety action closure.
• Provide process engineering support to all aspects of Gurnee operations, guiding new equipment design and commissioning, introducing new products and problem-solving process issues.
• Work with project engineers and external contractors to introduce new equipment, develop and commission new processes at the Gurnee Site.
• Apply LEAN, Six Sigma and other Continuous Improvement tools and techniques as required in support of operations LEAN efforts.
• Provide guidance as required to production supervisors and engineers and be available to offer training and coaching to the operations team on request.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

Desired Background

• Must have a Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering.
• A minimum of five (5) years in chemical industry operating experience with emphasis participating and / or managing a Process Safety Management program
• Experienced PHA and LOPA facilitator
• Experience with Six Sigma, Lean Enterprise and Continuous Improvement projects is desired. Six Sigma certification is preferred but not essential.
• Exposure to ISO, cGMP and Food Safety quality systems is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Talents

• Demonstrates excellent organizational and leadership skills.
• Strong analytical skills, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to identify root cause and implement corrective actions
• Strong time management, record keeping, project leadership, and organizational skills required.
• High level of emotional intelligence to influence and work in cross functional teams.
• Excellent communication skills (oral and written)
• Proficient in MS Office Suite applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook).