Production Technician - Operator

Job Purpose

The Automation Process Operator is a highly skilled technical operations role responsible for the safe, compliant, and optimized operation of automated manufacturing systems within a continuous process manufacturing environment. This position serves as the frontline technical authority for process control, equipment operation, automated system monitoring, process troubleshooting, product quality assurance, inventory accuracy, material accountability, and operational reliability across assigned production units.

The role requires advanced knowledge of Distributed Control Systems (DCS), process instrumentation, SAP manufacturing and inventory systems, automated manufacturing equipment, Process Safety Management (PSM), ISO quality systems, and industrial operating practices. The Automation Process Operator is responsible for maintaining stable, efficient process conditions and ensuring that all activities are executed in strict compliance with safety, environmental, regulatory, inventory control, and operational requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Process Safety Management (PSM) and Regulatory Compliance
• Operate all process systems in full compliance with Process Safety Management (PSM), OSHA, environmental, ISO, and company safety standards.
• Maintain strict adherence to operating procedures, safe work practices, permit systems, lockout/tagout (LOTO), and operational safeguards.
• Identify, communicate, and respond to abnormal operating conditions, process deviations, equipment malfunctions, and environmental concerns.
• Support safe execution of startups, shutdowns, line breaks, maintenance activities, and emergency response situations.
• Ensure accurate reporting and documentation of safety incidents, near misses, environmental deviations, and process abnormalities.
• Maintain operational discipline and procedural compliance to minimize process risk and ensure personnel and equipment safety.
• Actively support site safety culture initiatives and operational risk reduction programs.

Automated Process Operations and Control

• Start, stop, monitor, control, and optimize automated manufacturing equipment and process systems through DCS and field operations.
• Continuously monitor process variables, alarms, trends, interlocks, and equipment performance to maintain safe and stable operating conditions.
• Utilize process data, operating trends, and system diagnostics to identify process abnormalities and implement corrective actions.
• Operate within defined process control strategies, operating limits, and product specifications.
• Maintain detailed awareness of unit operating conditions, equipment status, production constraints, and process performance indicators.
• Execute operational directives and process adjustments issued by Engineering, Production Management, or Technical Services.
• Support operational continuity through effective shift communication, detailed shift turnover, and accurate documentation of operating conditions.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience
• Advanced understanding of continuous process manufacturing operations.
• Strong proficiency in Distributed Control Systems (DCS) and automated process control systems.
• Extensive knowledge of process equipment, instrumentation, utilities, valves, pumps, motors, and automated manufacturing systems.
• Strong understanding of SAP production transactions, inventory management, and material consumption reporting.
• Strong understanding of process troubleshooting, alarm response, and abnormal situation management.
• Knowledge of Process Safety Management (PSM) requirements and operational risk management principles.
• Understanding of ISO quality systems, traceability requirements, and manufacturing compliance standards.
• Ability to interpret process trends, operating data, P&IDs, equipment information, SAP production data, and system alarms.
• Strong understanding of process flow, inventory movement, system interactions, and operational impacts across integrated manufacturing systems.