Senior Plant Operator - Lead

## Senior Plant Operator - Lead Apply:
Suffolk, Virginia, United States of America:
Full time:
Posted Yesterday:
R0032468

Solenis is a leading global provider of water and hygiene solutions. The company’s product portfolio includes a broad array of water treatment chemistries, process aids, functional additives, cleaners, disinfectants, and state-of-the-art monitoring, control and delivery systems. These technologies are used by customers to improve operational efficiencies, enhance product quality, protect plant assets, minimize environmental impact, and create cleaner and safer environments.

Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, the company has 78 manufacturing facilities strategically located around the globe and employs a team of over ~23000 professionals in 160 countries across six continents. Solenis is a 2025 Best Managed Company Gold Standard honoree.

For additional information about Solenis, please visit  or follow us on social media.

The Lead VFA Senior Plant Operator will apply advanced technical knowledge and operational expertise to support safe and efficient production.  This role will work closely with other shifts and site departments such as:
Maintenance, Lab, Engineering, and Material Handling to maximize equipment performance and ensure production targets are met.  The position is responsible for meeting production goals, while maintaining high safety and environmental performance. The Lead Operator will serve as the designated backup to the Shift Supervisor, providing leadership and operational oversight during periods of supervisor absence.

This role will support the commissioning and startup of a new plant on site. While the role will eventually transition to a rotating 12-hour shift schedule, the first 1–2 years will be worked on a Monday–Friday daytime schedule.
** Principal Accountabilities
*** Operate plant to meet productivity targets and handle chemicals charges in a safe manner as defined by standard procedures.
* Monitor process and adjust control parameters with the control systems
* Conduct routine rounds and actively participate in shift turnover
* Maintain process control to ensure First Pass Quality is achieved
* Perform a complete and detailed turnover and ensure that all required documentation is complete and accurate
* Maintain and restock supplies and raw materials as necessary for the assigned process area
* Ability to lift 55 pounds, excessive walking, bending, continuous climbing of stairs, operate a forklift and cleaning equipment
* Maintain high standards of housekeeping in work area
* Serve as process expert in safety reviews
* Provide coverage for supervisory role and permit support during supervisor absence  + Become certified permit writer to support permits during daily shift, including Safe Work, Hot Work and Line Break of High Hazard material
* Train on power outage recovery with Shift Supervisor
* Create process orders and maintenance work orders within SAP
* Be actively involved in Safety Programs in any of the following roles: auditor, implementer of corrective actions, attend meetings, etc. Train others to have familiarity with these programs (OEL, Safety audits, Site Safety Committee, 5S, regulator audits, etc.)
* Ability to follow written and verbal instructions with minimal direct supervision to meet daily goals
* Understand and operate within Federal and State regulations pertaining to safety and environmental requirements (EPA programs, RCRA and DOT) and OSHA
* Other duties as assigned/requested
** Success Criteria
*** Ability to recognize hazards and change behaviors to support a Zero incident mindset for self and others
* Achieving stated throughput targets in accordance to the production schedule, while maintaining safety, quality, and…