Process R&D Manager

You are purpose driven. Growth minded. Ready to stretch your potential. That’s the spirit of the community you will find at Orbia: where the purpose to advance life around the world drives our global team of over 23,000 every single day.

From creating solutions to deliver clean water, secure food supplies and reliable information to steering material advances that power the future of green and smart cities, transportation, and healthcare, we never settle for “good enough” when there’s an opportunity to make life better. Where purpose comes to life, it changes lives. This is what we live for.

The Process R&D Manager owns R&D efforts on key programs across our portfolio, supported by a small direct team and a broader team in our global technology centers. This is a key role requiring experience and judgement to manage and deliver multiple simultaneous projects in a matrixed organization. Projects span new process development and design, technology licensing, process piloting, options analysis and techno economic assessments, contract R&D, process improvements and plant troubleshooting.

This person would provide thought leadership in process development and unit operations, and work closely with technology, project and operations teams. They would act as an advisor to senior management on key technical questions and choices. A solution oriented mindset, and ability to debate, constructively challenge, and influence effectively across teams are keys to success in this role.

This is a hands-on role. Prior experience in LiPF6 or other fluorochemical processes, as well as expertise in solid liquid separations and powder handling/testing is highly preferred.

• Full ownership and accountability to develop cost effective processes to manufacture new products at scale, utilizing agile, fast to fail approaches.
• Develop deep understanding of underlying process technology, options, trade-offs and economics.
• Drive technology licensing and transfer. Support Orbia’s engineering team through engineering, procurement, construction, and project commissioning.
• Establish operational objectives and work plans for multiple areas, across technology centers.
• Define and/or improve global R&D methodologies and standards.
• Guide and mentor lab staff to design and execute chemistry and engineering studies. Lead piloting studies as needed.
• Find and develop external R&D resources and partners to complement internal capabilities.
• Lead and support key plant troubleshooting efforts.
• Lead design and development of pilot plants.
• Mentor and develop junior staff.
• Follow and actively encourage a safety-first culture. Adherence to all Orbia and local safety, health and environmental regulations.

• MS or PhD in Chemical Engineering + 10 yrs post graduate industry experience.
• Ability to take ownership and accountability for defining and executing R&D programs, especially early stage, less defined projects.
• Hands on technology transfer, pilot/full scale plant build and/or operations experience.
• Operational experience and understanding of a range of chemical unit operations and equipment.
• Experience in understanding of and designing for process safety.
• Curiosity and keenness to learn and embrace new technologies and approaches.
• Ability to effectively deal with multiple stakeholders and sometimes competing priorities.
• Executive presence.
• Strong chemical engineering fundamentals in reactions, fluid flow, heat transfer.
• LiPF6 or other fluorochemical production experience.
• Expertise in solid liquid separations and powder handling.
• Statistics, and process modeling/simulation experience.

• Annual Bonus Plans
• 11 Paid Company Holidays
• 401(k) with a 6% company…