Lead Chemical Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Advanced Chemical Operators at Michelman are experienced production team members who safely and independently manufacture specialty chemical batches using a range of equipment including reactors, kettles, filtration systems, and utility operations. They follow standard operating procedures to prepare, adjust, and complete production orders while interpreting process data, identifying abnormalities, and escalating as needed. Advanced Chemical Operators are proficient in executing changeovers, cleaning procedures, and inventory transactions, and they help ensure smooth shift handoffs by documenting work clearly and communicating process conditions.

In this role, Advanced Chemical Operators model strong compliance with safety, environmental, and quality requirements and are trusted to uphold operational discipline without constant supervision. While not formal leaders, they provide informal support to peers, share improvement ideas, and help refine work instructions based on hands-on experience. They collaborate with support teams to troubleshoot issues, submit maintenance requests, and contribute to root cause investigations when problems arise. Advanced Chemical Operators demonstrate sound judgment, high ownership, and a strong grasp of the production process.

Advanced Chemical Operators manufacture cold blend batches, or emulsion center batches, or reactor batches, and work independently in one or more areas, including but not limited to wastewater treatment, packaging, extrusion operation, or material handling.

• Act as equipment and area owner, maintaining ownership over assigned equipment.
• Ensure readiness of utilities for unit operation (e.g., heat exchanger, hot-water-on-demand).
• Follow SOPs to safely operate equipment including reactors, kettles, mixers, pumps, filtration, forklifts, and utilities.
• Load, unload, and package materials per instructions, completing all documentation.
• Manufacture batches per work orders and adjust as needed to meet specifications.
• Monitor and interpret process parameters, record data in real time, and escalate abnormal conditions or trends.
• Operate process systems (e.g., extruders, packaging lines, wastewater treatment, boiler) in compliance with safety, quality, and efficiency standards.
• Participate in shift handoffs and daily tier meetings to support production continuity.
• Perform equipment calibrations in accordance with gauge standards.
• Record inventory transactions accurately in ERP.
• Support product trials and help refine batch procedures.
• Use checklists to perform equipment changeovers, line clearances, and task verifications.
• Use checklists to prepare and perform equipment cleaning and/or sanitization, changeovers, line clearances, and task verifications.
• Verify raw material identity, lot codes, and quantities before staging for production.

• Access digital tools for just-in-time learning and job guidance.
• Ask clarifying questions to ensure task understanding and reduce operational risk.
• Communicate effectively with team leaders, support staff, and managers to address safety, quality, and production concerns.
• Complete required training, certifications, and assessments on time.
• Follow all EHS and Quality policies to maintain a safe and compliant workplace.
• Guide new and existing operators by modeling standard work and reinforcing best practices.
• Keep work areas clean and organized to meet housekeeping and GMP standards.
• Provide peers with constructive feedback to improve safety, quality, and efficiency.

• Actively engage in safety meetings and toolbox talks.
• Lead or participate in shift-level near-miss and incident reviews.
• Maintain situational awareness of all work occurring within the assigned area. Ensure that concurrent activities do not create safety risks or operational conflicts.
• Review and follow hazard labels and chemical handling procedures.
• Segregate and dispose of waste materials per environmental guidelines.
• Stop work when undue health, safety, or environmental risks are present. Step back and get help before proceeding.
• Support safe work execution in coordination with Maintenance, Engineering, Project Teams, and peers.
• Wear required PPE in accordance with procedures and safety data sheets (SDSs).

• Perform quality control tests and adjust batches to meet specifications.
• Collaborate with the quality team to resolve product or customer issues.
• Review batch records and follow deviation and escalation procedures.
• Support problem-solving efforts to prevent or correct quality defects.
• Select appropriate scale to confirm material weights before addition.

• Identify and report ways to reduce scrap, waste, or energy use.
• Lead or participate in continuous improvement activities.
• Lead or participate in cycle counts to improve inventory accuracy.
• Lead or support root cause investigations (e.g., 5 Whys, Fishbone) as a subject matter expert.
• Share improvement ideas and recommend updates to SOPs or work instructions.

• Identify and troubleshoot minor mechanical or instrumentation issues before escalation.
• Perform preventive maintenance tasks according to autonomous maintenance (AM) guidelines.
• Submit maintenance work requests.
• Prepare equipment for maintenance and/or projects.
• Notify affected personnel of changes in equipment status or area accessibility due to ongoing work or preparation activities.

• Works effectively and respectfully with individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and education levels, collaborating to solve problems and achieve shared goals.
• Proactively identifies and acts on opportunities to improve safety, quality, efficiency, and personal performance, while following all established procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Prioritizes and manages multiple operational tasks in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, making sound, time-sensitive decisions that maintain safety, compliance, and product quality.
• Reads and interprets safety data sheets (SDS), standard operating procedures, and production schedules to execute tasks accurately.
• Understands how daily activities and decisions affect production costs, yield, and overall business results, and uses this awareness to drive process efficiency and resource stewardship.
• Recognizes and mitigates chemical, mechanical, and environmental hazards, escalating concerns promptly.
• Communicates clearly in verbal and written form for shift handovers, incident reporting, and process documentation.
• Applies basic troubleshooting methods to identify and correct process or equipment deviations, ensuring minimal disruption to operations.

• High school diploma or GED required
• 2 - 5 years of hands-on chemical or manufacturing environment, preferably with batch processing responsibilities.
• Demonstrated ability to follow complex procedures and independently adjust equipment based on process data.
• Experience coordinating with Maintenance, Quality, or Engineering teams to resolve operational issues.
• Experience with ERP systems, quality control testing, or preventive maintenance is a plus.
• Proven track record of safety, reliability, and consistent execution of standard work.
• Prior experience in operating mixers, reactors, or filtration equipment in accordance with GMP and EHS standards.

Michelman’s standard work hours for this role are subject to shift. This role will start on 3rd shift; however, future business needs may require a move to a different shift.

Note: The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to the job. They are not construed to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.

Motivated by unwavering values, and ingrained with a passion for innovation, Michelman is a global developer and manufacturer of specialized sustainable chemistry used in industrial and agricultural coatings, digital printing, consumer packaging, and advanced composites for automotive and aerospace. From helping grow food and keep it fresh, to making vehicles lighter and more fuel efficient, to shielding our homes from the elements, Michelman‘s environmentally conscious solutions protect and enhance the materials that shape our world.

Michelman is proud of the values-focused work environment that we have crafted. We pride ourselves in our focus on our values of integrity, respect, and success. With our dedication to your technical and professional growth in addition to our rigorous onboarding experience, we guarantee that you will find yourself challenged in new ways. We offer an excellent salary, incentive, and benefits package in a dynamic, empowered team environment.

No phone calls, please. Michelman does not hire individuals who use tobacco products. All candidates will receive a drug test prior to beginning employment which will include a test for tobacco products.

For more information about Michelman, please visit https://www.michelman.com/.

It is Michelman, Inc. policy to seek and employ qualified persons in all jobs in a manner which will ensure equal employment opportunity as well as administer personnel actions in a manner as to not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation or disability. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Michelman is an Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Females/Disabled/Veterans