Technician I / Furnace Operator

Company Description

PQ is a leading global provider of silicates, silicas and derivative products. PQ's products are used in a wide variety of industrial processes and many customer products, from decorative paints to green cement, from clean drinking water to green tires and from toothpaste to biofuels and beer.

Ideal candidates resonate with PQ's Core Values of Integrity, Sustainability, People, Customer Focus and Safety.  Successful employees embrace and model these values in their behaviors and actions.

Job Description

Job Summary

This position is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the process and all associated equipment.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Operates the process in a safe and reliable manner.
• Operates in compliance with all health, safety and environmental rules and regulations. 
• Interprets lab & process data and adjusts process to maintain quality output.
• Takes direction from Unit Manager and Lead Operator.
• Communicates process information and issues with other production operators, maintenance & management.
• Supports Unit Manager, maintenance, and operations technicians as a team member.
• Maintains production and other company requirements.
• Performs housekeeping duties to maintain a clean and safe work environment.
• Responsible for the safe and efficient operation of a high temperature refractory lined furnace used to produce molten glass, two fuel fired boilers and a waste heat boiler, and four pressure vessels (dissolvers). 
• Makes necessary adjustments, using industrial tools, to valves, vibrating conveyors, etc. to ensure process reliability and performance.
• Interprets and reacts to instrumentation readings to control the process.
• Recognizes upset conditions and takes immediate and appropriate corrective actions.
• Performs and assists with maintenance as directed, including preventive maintenance, in accordance with training and skills.
• Responsible for raw material inventories on a daily basis.
• Routinely monitors environmental conditions in the plant and takes appropriate investigative & corrective actions and makes timely notifications

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent 
• 3-5 years of direct experience working in a manufacturing plant environment, preferably a chemical processing facility.
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• Able to follow written and verbal instruction.
• Able to demonstrate basic computer skills.
• Able to demonstrate mechanical aptitude.
• Good interpersonal skills, works well within a team environment.
• Good decision making skills (makes decisions, acts upon them, willing to defend decisions over peer pressure).
• Must demonstrate a strong work ethic (attendance, attitude, etc.).
• Understanding of ISO management systems (e.g., 9001, 14001)
• Understanding of Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) principles and Statistical Process Control (SPC).

Additional Information

EHS Responsibilities

• Communicates, promotes and personally demonstrates Safety/Health (including PQP Principles) as #1 priority
• Participation in risk assessment audits as applicable
• Understand PQ Principles (PQP) and how they are implemented in the site organization, rules and procedures
• Completes HSE training requirements identified for the job in a timely manner

PQ is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristics. Click on the link to read Know Your Rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal (eeoc.gov). For more information, please review the link Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (eeoc.gov).