Technical Manager, Chestertown

Description

The Technical Manager supports the site by enforcing safety and environmental regulations (HSE) and optimizing manufacturing efficiency.  Key responsibilities include overseeing personnel, executing production schedules, maintaining equipment and implementing continuous improvement projects, such as Six Sigma and Lean initiatives to enhance quality and reduce waste.

The Technical Manager is accountable for the direct leadership of the site’s Engineering Team, process safety management program, asset integrity program and capital program. In this role, you will also lead the site in the absence of the Site Manager.

The Engineering Team provides technical guidance and support to plant operations through maintaining safe, reliable equipment throughout the site and the execution of capital and expense projects to improve safety, reliability and cost improvements.

This position requires organizational and communication skills to coordinate contractor activities, interface with government agencies and collaborate with internal support organizations such as supply chain, logistics and finance.  This position requires skills to coordinate activities with corporate resources and technical expertise.

This position reports to the Site Manager and can have between 2 and 4 direct reports. The site operates continuously, has 50 employees, and uses batch processes to manufacture specialty plasticizers and coalescents for internal and external customers.

This position will be posted until at least July 10, 2026.

Responsibilities

Safety & Compliance

• Ensure total compliance with safety regulations, environmental laws and company policies, focusing on safe chemical handling and conducting safety audits
• Lead with a Zero-Incident mindset and manage the site process safety management system (PSM), including maintaining process safety information for completion of required PHAs
• Complete required task safety and life-critical safety audits

Production & Operations

• Support implementation of daily production plans and schedules to ensure targets are met safely and efficiently

Personnel Leadership

• Supervise, train and mentor employees; handle staffing issues and promote a proactive safety culture
• Coach and mentor direct reports generating clear expectations, responsibilities, goals and opportunities for development and growth
• Support hiring and onboarding needs that include recruiting, screening, interviewing, mentoring and coaching activities

Continuous Improvement

• Lead Six Sigma and Lean Improvement projects, perform root cause analysis for incidents and identify opportunities for waste reduction and process optimization

Capital, Maintenance & Quality Control

• Coordinate with maintenance teams to minimize downtime and ensure product quality meets company standards
• Provide leadership as capital coordinator for project related cost and efficiency improvements, including all capital projects
• Ensure that all projects and equipment conform to Eastman standards 
• Work within the DCS system to implement logic changes and improve plant operation (training will be provided as needed in the DeltaV DCS)
• Work with offsite resources to assist with process and project engineering and implementation activities
• Manage the site Asset Integrity program, including compliance with corporate standards and equipment vendor inspections.  Assure inspection of PSVs, tanks and interlocks occur according to requirements

Reporting & Administration

• Monitor KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) and generate reports on production, safety and equipment performance for senior management

Site Stewardship

• Represent the site on corporate teams as necessary

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering required. Chemical or Mechanical Engineering preferred.
• At least three years of leadership in operations, projects and/or other leadership positions in the chemical, petrochemical or similar industry with demonstrated leadership skills; 5+ years preferred
• Professional engineering (PE) license is a plus

Critical Skills & Knowledge

• Able to manage the site in the absence of the Site Manager
• Experience in a PSM facility and batch plant operations
• Knowledge of process equipment and process design
• Capability to plan and manage capital projects and schedules
• Knowledge of equipment specifications and standards such as ASME, ANSI, API, NFPA etc.
• Understanding of Root Cause Failure Analysis
• Understanding of Six Sigma
• Experience with SAP Maintenance program
• General computer skills, such as Microsoft Office and Power BI
• Good organization and communication skills with the ability to solicit input and support of others at various levels in the organization
• Some knowledge of Stage Gate Capital Work systems

Note

Eastman will not accept applicants for this offered position who require visa sponsorship, including those whose status is F-1 visa OPT who subsequently would require ongoing visa sponsorship.