PP Catalyst Research and Development Manager

Company:

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

Offer range: $151,855 - 189,819

Organizational context and job purpose

Organizational Context:

INEOS is a global manufacturer of petrochemicals, speciality chemicals and oil products. 

INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA operates from 14 manufacturing sites in the USA, manufacturing and marketing four main product lines: Olefins, High Density Polyethylene resin, Manufactured Polyethylene Pipe, and Polypropylene resin.

With an annual manufacturing capacity of 15.3 billion pounds of petrochemicals and polyethylene pipe, INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA is a major participant in the North American chemical industry. A workforce of over 1800 makes up our employee team. They staff our Marina View headquarters in League City, Texas; our fractionation facility located between the communities of Seminole, Texas, and Hobbs, New Mexico; our major manufacturing plants at La Porte and Alvin, Texas; our West Coast manufacturing facility in Carson, California; our storage facility in Freeport, TX; WL Plastics' headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas and nine pipe extrusion plants located across the US.

The 300-acre INEOS Battleground Manufacturing Complex (BMC) was originally built in 1956 and is located on the Houston ship channel east of Houston, Texas.  Currently, BMC produces both high-density polyethylene and polypropylene.  The polypropylene line has a capacity of approximately 320 million pounds per year, and the seven polyethylene lines have a combined capacity of approximately 3 billion pounds per year.  The BMC site has a state-of-the-art technical center which integrates research and development, technical services and quality assurance. 

Purpose of the Job:

The PP Catalyst R&D Manager reports to the Technology Director – Technical Services and Product Development and is part of the Site Technology Group.  The PP Catalyst R&D Manager will lead a team developing and supporting technology directed towards the advancement of new heterogeneous catalysts and process technology for the manufacture of polypropylene.  The primary responsibility is the design and coordination of programs to deliver technical solutions which provide a basis for competitive advantage for both sustaining and growth strategies contributing to the value generation of the PP catalyst platform.

The role is crucial in defining the catalyst technology strategy of the PP platform for the PO Cat business. A big part of the steering of development programs for catalysts will come via the INEOS PO Cat and POETS business (TS).  Strong collaboration with the INEOS PO Cat and O&P Europe businesses is required.

This position would include leading a team responsible for executing research programs to identify, prioritize, develop technology programs and ensure and support their commercial implementation.  The catalyst team is also responsible for defining the QC and QA requirements for catalyst manufacture, and therefore has a strong link into the India manufacturing facilities. This requires significant cultural and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities include the management of laboratory and pilot-plant assets for preparing and characterizing catalysts as well as evaluation of catalyst performance in bench-scale equipment. The successful candidate must demonstrate flexibility in job requirements and assignments, and possess a commitment to continuous improvement in their own competencies as well as the development of the team both as a whole and as individuals.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Strategy and Technology Leadership

• Influence strategic framework by providing technological direction through the championing of value-driven technical initiatives in support of the polypropylene catalyst-platform strategy.
• Identify, prioritize, develop, and implement technology-development programs to deliver a sustainable competitive advantage. 
• Maintain and renew a portfolio of technical projects which reflect the catalyst-technology strategy.
• Ensure continuing alignment of project portfolio with business priorities through updating progress and tactical changes and establishing meaningful milestones with commercial impact

Technical Excellence

• Anticipate and implement technical programs to address technology opportunities and gaps.
• Effectively and efficiently leverage utilization of global assets to deliver value-added projects in a timely fashion.
• Drive strong competitive intelligence and internal intellectual-property-position strategies for the delivery of long-term, sustainable growth.
• Maximize global resources to optimize organizational effectiveness
• Ensure a reliable and consistent catalyst supply by proactively supporting catalyst-manufacturing improvements and the implementation of new catalyst technologies.
• Provide timely customer technical support, as needed, to maximize the value of Ineos PO Catalyst’s service and product offerings.

People Leadership and Development

• Build an exceptional PP catalyst-technology team organized to deliver value in both the current and future business and technology environments.
• Develop empowered and motivated project leaders to execute Catalyst R&D activities to maximize value. 
• Communicate openly with team members and team leaders on all work-related issues.
• Possess strong interpersonal skills and can coordinate/supervise work plans.
• Provide reports and associated team members with development opportunities that enrich individuals while delivering bottom-line value to the business. 
• Foster a creative and motivated team culture which recognizes and rewards successes and effectively coaches for continuous improvement of individual performances.

Safe and Effective Work Environment

• As asset manager of the BMC Catalyst Labs and Pilot Plant, ensure compliance with laws, regulations, standards, and best practices for safe operation of the lab, including the INEOS 20 Principles. 
• Maintain laboratory and pilot plant infrastructure including construction and modification of bench-scale pilot plants.
• Ensure laboratory operations deliver results efficiently, safely, and of high quality.
• Foster and ensure safe working culture and practices are defined and adhered to across technology and research activities with own team and in our collaborative groups.

Skills & Knowledge Required

Education/Experience

REQUIRED

• Degree in Chemical Engineering or an advanced degree in Chemistry.
• Strong track record of technical contributions with impact.
• Successful experience in project management.
• Comfort and competency in commercial operations and engineering requirements.
• High level of competency required in the design and implementation of experimental plans to deliver technical solutions of commercial relevance.
• Familiar with basic process control, instrumentation, and analytical equipment and procedures.
• Familiarity with safe and effective handling of highly reactive, air-, and moisture-sensitive compounds and best-practice methodologies thereof – including experience in the selection and use of personal protective equipment.
• Experience following safety procedures, including required OSHA standards.
• Position is based in the BMC location.

PREFERRED

• PhD in Chemistry
• 15 years industrial experience leading and implementing technical-development programs, preferably involving catalyst development and commercialization.
• Technology acumen in process chemistry and scale-up, material science, and polymer fabrication.
• Understanding of the PP catalyst competitive landscape and basis for competition.

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.