Mechanical Engineering Technology Team Leader

Company:

INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA

Interested in joining a winning team? A team whose employees are empowered to make a difference?

The Olefins & Polymers USA division of INEOS is one of the largest producers of olefins and polyolefins in North America. From its manufacturing locations at Chocolate Bayou and the Battleground Manufacturing Complex, it is a merchant marketer of butadiene, ethylene, polypropylene and high-density polyethylene with annual revenue of over $4b.

The Chocolate Bayou Site is located in Southeastern Texas about 40 miles South of Houston and consists of two Olefins units that produce approximately 3bn pounds/year of ethylene, 2 Polypropylene units that produce approximately 800m pounds/ year of polypropylene, and the Light Ends storage & transfer facilities at Stratton Ridge.

The Mechanical Engineering Technology Team Leader (METTL) primary responsibility is to mentor and develop mechanical engineers and offer mechanical engineering expertise and assistance to support Operations, Maintenance and Reliability. In addition, recommend new technologies applicable to the business and support the management of intellectual assets.  This role also supervises the document control function for the site including personnel.

This role is also accountable for delivery of front end loading (FEL) for capital projects and provide support to Capital Project Managers in project construction and commissioning. The METTL will be responsible for leading and mentoring their team to complete the appropriate FEL deliverables throughout each project. 

The METTL will assist the site Mechanical Engineering Authority with maintenance of specifications and procedures, and perform engineering assessments for existing fixed and rotating equipment as needed.  The METTL will work to deliver continuous improvement to the business through the delivery of Lean Six Sigma projects.  The METTL will also recommend the appropriate course of action to resolve Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) action items in accordance with the INEOS O&P USA Process Safety and Integrity Management [PSIM] Policy.

The METTL reports to the CBW Process Technology manager.  

• Key Roles and Accountabilities

 Accountability 1:  People Development

• Team adherence to Ineos’ 20 principals for managing Behavioral and Process Safety
• Ensure that engineering team is trained and has the tools and skills necessary to perform their roles safely and efficiently
• Mentors, coaches, motivates and evaluates the engineering team to deliver exceptional business performance by providing opportunities for development and enhancement of skills and competencies
• Promote work and family balance and wellness behavior to the resource team members.
• Conduct periodical performance review, workload prioritization and team meetings to maintain continuous delivery while enhancing team productivity.
• Seek to consolidate and share best practices across O&P sites with their team. In some cases, this may result in common or very nearly common practices / procedures (Relief Devices, document control, project files, CAD templates), use of contractors, etc

Accountability 2: Technical Assurance  

When appropriate, assist the CBW Mechanical Engineering Authority in setting overall direction and manage engineering standards and procedures for all O&P sites including compliance to Section 5.3.4 of the O&P PS&IM Policy. Internal customers are: Project engineering; Operations; Inspection; and, Maintenance

• Assure heritage standards (ACES, PEDGs) are kept accessible and updated as deemed appropriate
• Assist with regular peer reviews of engineering practices with an emphasis to simplification and reliance on established industry practices (PIP, for example).
• Maintain access to engineering standards which are maintained current with Engineering codes and practices
• Participation in relevant industry forums such as ASME, API OSHA etc. to keep the site informed of relevant codes and standard updates

Accountability 3:  Project Front End Loading

Technical assurance for the timely front end engineering design for capital projects, including:

• Selecting the most appropriate technology for the application
• Manage intellectual assets through administration of confidentiality agreements with the guidance of the Intellectual Property Manager.  Act as single point of accountability for information transferred through these agreements
• Defining and communicating the appropriate engineering specifications that will be utilized.
• Ensuring that process and personal safety risks are mitigated to tolerances specified by INEOS’ PSIM guidelines
• Regular incorporation of feedback from Operations and Maintenance groups
• Provide appropriate deliverables for each stage of the project per INEOS’ capital projects standards
• Assist Maintenance Capital with as needed FEL support of these efforts

Accountability 4: Process Safety Stewardship

Ensure that the following process safety information as required in Section 4.3.3 of the O&P PS&IM Policy is updated following capital projects and/or engineering studies:

• Plot Plan of the facility
• Materials of construction of process equipment (storage tanks, vessels, piping, etc.)
• Piping and instrument diagrams (P&IDs)
• Relief system (e.g., pressure safety valve, atmospheric vent, conservation vent, vacuum breaker, etc.) design including any vent header (e.g., manifold, flare system) and its basis
• Ventilation system design (e.g., mechanical ventilation for buildings, local exhaust ventilation)
• Drawings and/or design specifications for pressure vessels, atmospheric and low pressure tanks, piping systems and rotating equipment
• Documentation of the design basis of safety systems (i.e., dikes, fire protection, insulation, firewalls, special suppression systems)

Accountability 5:

The following accountabilities reflect additional key aspects of the METTL role.

• Act as fixed equipment and rotating equipment resource 
• Knowledge and expertise in the application of mechanical codes and standards, industry standard practices, and recommended practices (especially ASME Section I boiler codes;  ASME Section VIII pressure vessel codes; ASME B31.3 pressure piping codes; Relief Device sizing practices)
• Key resource for site engineers for advice on specification and code issues
• Develop company and industry contacts to network issues on codes, standards and practices
• Knowledge of engineering tools, systems, practices commonly used in the petrochemical and pipelines industries. Utilize this background to peer assist other sites and specific projects as appropriate.
• Manage and oversee the site document control group ensuring proper drawing and document requirements are met for capital project support.
• Advocate for the complete and proper transfer of project information to the appropriate Ineos Documentation repositories

Skills & Knowledge Required (including educational background, work experience)

Level of Education & Experience

Undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field preferred; an advanced degree in a related field helpful.  The individual will have a minimum of 10 to 15 years’ experience in chemical, refining or industrial manufacturing and/or capital projects with prior responsibility for facilitating critical engineering functions/practices.  Exceptionally strong communications skills drive, sense of urgency and problem-solving abilities will be critical for the success of this individual.  The ability to work across all disciplines and throughout all levels of the organization in a persuasive and credible manner is necessary.  The successful candidate should possess the skills of a change agent and have demonstrated success in implementing engineering processes/procedures. 

Technical skills

• Experience and knowledge of chemical/maintenance operations and regulation.
• Experience and knowledge of API, ANSI, ASME Industry Standards
• Creating a culture that drives incident-free operations
• Demonstrated cost saving initiatives and overall equipment life cycle cost management.
• Knowledge of safety and quality management systems
• Ability to grasp technical aspects of Engineering Codes and Standards

Preferred (but not required):

• Exposure to Root Cause Failure Analysis
• Professional Certification such as P.E.
• Project Management Experience
• Green Belt or Black Belt Certification 

Behavioural skills

• Strong work ethic. Dedicated and willing to work hours to accomplish task.
• Strong communication skills – comfortable and effective communicating with ALL levels in the organization.
• Ability to prioritize work – assure the important items are done
• Delegation of tasks – with appropriate follow up.

Important :

Comfort around Top Management                                       Command Skills

Composure                                                                           Conflict Management

Customer Focus                                                                   Decision Quality

Integrity and Trust                                                                 Organizing

Planning                                                                                Process Management

Managing through Systems                                                 

Our culture is one of honesty and integrity with an emphasis on safety, health and environmental performance.On our team, people are acknowledged for embracing new practices that help create real value for customers.