PVC Process Support Technician

Essential Job Duties

Maintain, as our highest priority, the protection of the environment, the health and safety of our employees, customers, and the communities in which we operate and/or transport our products.

Understand and work in accordance with all site safety and environmental procedures including the site Chemical Hygiene Plan.

Adhere to the use of personal protective equipment as required.

Conduct laboratory experiments and perform chemical, physical, and mechanical property measurements on PVC raw materials, resins, and compounds.

Create experimental recipes for the pilot plant within an experimental framework determined by a scientist.

Recommend PVC formulation adjustments to modify finished product parameters.

Function as business administrator for the Avon Lake Pilot plant by:

• Ordering raw materials and supplies in SAP, managing inventory of raw materials & reagents.
• Managing PVC pilot plant batch and maintenance schedules to ensure customer requirements are met.
• Reviewing/manage pilot plant expenses and invoices.
• Providing secondary supervision of pilot plant operations.
• Generating technical and department reports as needed.

Lead projects to simplify and modernize utility, process chemical storage, and transfer equipment.

Determine the success of experiments by evaluating gel tests, stability tests, color, solution viscometry, GC, FTIR, Laser Particle Size analyzer, Torque Rheometer Plastigraphs, and other laboratory tests common to the PVC industry.

Record experimental data in a laboratory notebook and/or LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System) for review by a scientist.

Report results in the form of spreadsheets, charts, graphs, and formalized technical reports.

Provide technical support to PVC customers and manufacturing facilities.

Actively participate in site safety program.

Ensure compliance with Oxy Vinyls safety data sheets, product labels, regulatory and Responsible Care to promote the safe handling and use of Oxy Vinyls' PVC products.

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, chemical engineering or other relevant technical disciplines, or 4+ years of experience in PVC product development, production, or compounding will be considered in lieu of a completed bachelor’s degree.
• Prior experience working in a laboratory environment with basic working knowledge of HAZCOM including SDS, NFPA, HMIS, OSHA, and GHS.
• High proficiency in Microsoft applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint, and Teams.
• Basic knowledge in the area of mathematics and statistics.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to read, write, and speak fluent English.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to work overtime as needed.
• Ability to travel infrequently to support customers and manufacturing plants.
• Physical requirements – must be able to lift 40 pounds and ascend/descend 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.

• Experience using statistical software for evaluating data.
• Basic working knowledge of SAP.
• Experience in PVC pilot plant maintenance and operation.
• Able to read and interpret pilot plant process drawings.