Entry Level Operator Jobs in Santa Fe, TX (NOW HIRING)

Description

About Ethox Chemicals

Ethox Chemicals, a privately held chemical manufacturing company with 190+ employees and part of the long-established Syntha Group, has built its reputation since 1968 on delivering quality chemical products and personalized customer service. Founded in 1938, Syntha Group spans five subsidiaries and focuses on innovation, custom manufacturing, and strong customer partnerships across formulation, R&D, sales, and distribution.

As part of our continued growth, Ethox Chemicals is launching a new 17-acre chemical manufacturing facility in Pasadena, Texas, and we are hiring Production Chemical Operators at multiple skill levels (A Tech, B Tech, and C Tech).  This is an exciting opportunity to join a startup plant team and help build a culture of safety, teamwork, and operational excellence from day one.

Position Summary

 The Production Chemical Operators are responsible for safely handling, processing, and manufacturing chemical products in accordance with established procedures, safety standards, and production schedules. Operators will work with reactors, mixers, pumps, tanks, packaging equipment, and automated control systems to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality production.

All operators are expected to strictly adhere to safety protocols, follow SOPs, maintain accurate documentation, and contribute to a strong team-based environment.

Shift: Standard 1st shift business hours for first ~3-4 months, then transition to a rotating 12-hour shift schedule.

Pay:  C Techs starting at $27+, B Techs starting at $31+, A Techs starting at $37+

Key Responsibilities (All Levels)

• Safely handle, mix, and process chemicals in accordance with SOPs and production parameters
• Transfer raw materials and finished products into and out of drums, totes, tankers, and railcars (may require lifting over 55 lbs.)
• Connect and manage chemical hoses to pumps, reactors, tanks, and transport vessels
• Operate mixers, reactors, pumps, valves, filters, scales, and packaging equipment
• Review raw material labels to verify correct weight, type, and batch/lot numbers before charging
• Monitor production parameters and take samples for quality control testing
• Read and understand work orders, safety regulations, and quality procedures
• Maintain accurate and timely production and shift documentation
• Operate forklifts and pallet jacks to move drums, totes, and pallets
• Maintain housekeeping and organization in assigned areas
• Follow all PPE and safety requirements
• Respond appropriately to plant emergencies in accordance with company policy
• Identify and report equipment defects in EAM system

C Technician (Entry-Level Operator)

•  Operates equipment in assigned production areas including tank farm, warehouse, and packaging
• Supports wastewater pretreatment and process water operations
• Assists in loading/unloading and eliminates delays through strong teamwork
• Completes required SOP certifications for C-level operations
• Preferred Experience: 1-2 years in chemical or manufacturing environment

• Executes production plans safely and efficiently under direction of A Technician
• Operates reactors, filters, valves, and pumps in accordance with SOPs
• Assists in training and development of new operators
• Completes C and B SOP certifications
• Preferred Experience: 1-4 years in chemical manufacturing

• Transfers ethylene and propylene oxide using DCS systems and safe work practices
• Supports execution of production plans and helps set workflow pace
• Coaches and mentors team members to ensure compliance and systems-based operations
• Completes documentation related to oxide movement and alarm response
• Assists Manufacturing Manager with incident follow-up and SOP revisions
• Responds to HazMat releases or spills as needed
• Leads by example in attendance, safety, and work ethic
• Preferred Experience:  5+ years in chemical manufacturing, Experience with DeltaV or similar DCS systems and Chempax preferred

Requirements

Qualifications

• High School Diploma required
• Continuing education or technical training preferred
• Chemical manufacturing experience preferred (level dependent)
• Strong attention to detail, ability to follow complex requests, work in a fast-paced, high-stress, multitasking environment
• Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills, and the ability to successfully interface with customers, associates, and the community.
• Basic computer proficiency
• Ability to operate a forklift
• Willingness to work overtime and rotating 12-hour swing shifts 
• Regular and reliable attendance. Required to be on-site.
• Ability to pass a pre-employment background, physical, and drug screen.
• Ability to meet the physical requirements of the job

Physical Requirements

Physical ability to perform the essential job functions of the position, which includes prolonged periods of standing and walking, climbing stairs, performing repetitive hand movement and fine coordination, occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull up to 50lbs. repeatedly, unloading drum trucks (weighing 38-50lbs. empty), manipulating full drums (weighing 450-470lbs.), moving pallets, and carrying 5 gallon pails. While performing the duties of this job the employee regularly works both indoors and outdoors and must be able to tolerate working in changing weather conditions.  Temperature, dust, smell and noise are under normal chemical environment conditions. The noise level in the work environment varies from quiet to loud.