Associate Operator

At Dow, we believe in putting people first and we’re passionate about delivering integrity, respect and safety to our customers, our employees and the planet.   Our people are at the heart of our solutions. They reflect the communities we live in and the world where we do business. Their diversity is our strength. We’re a community of relentless problem solvers that offers the daily opportunity to contribute with your perspective, transform industries and shape the future. Our purpose is simple - to deliver a sustainable future for the world through science and collaboration. If you’re looking for a challenge and meaningful role, you’re in the right place. About you and this role: As an Operator, you will operate assigned equipment within the plant, perform and report on operational related activities per the Operations Dashboard (OPD)-Tasks List. You will utilize discretionary time to enable sustainable performance results for the facility. As an Operator, you will utilize operations knowledge and experience to proactively operate the plant in a safe, reliable and optimal manner. You will work with Shift Team members to efficiently anticipate and resolve unplanned events within the capabilities of the shift team and effectively escalate issues that cannot be resolved to the appropriate support roles. Additionally, you may provide training to less experienced operators. This role requires established basic technical skills to perform a range of routine work activities using existing processes and methods. Note: Operator Progression is managed at the site level. Responsibilities Follow Operating Discipline policies, principles, procedures, standards and practices to ensure safe, reliable and efficient operation of assigned plant areas. Ensure adequate operating discipline is available for all planned and unplanned activities. Operate and perform field checks on process equipment. Monitor process conditions, key performance metrics, equipment and control systems and make appropriate decisions to maintain and/or achieve desired rates and conditions aligned with Plant/Site/Business goals. Perform scheduled operational and related tasks and tasks that arise as a result of resolving unplanned events. Work with shift team members and other shift teams to leverage skills and knowledge to balance workload, ensuring assigned tasks are completed by their due dates. Conduct effective shift relief, as defined in facility specific operating discipline and tools, to ensure effective communication and handoff to arriving shift team. Maintain qualification in assigned areas, per facility policy, and complete training goals in a timely manner. This includes using discretionary time to address skills and knowledge gaps. Mentor and train new and existing Operations personnel on process operation, troubleshooting and the use of operating discipline in alignment to plant's training process. Perform Immediate Response activities, as assigned. Initiate and document preliminary investigations according to plant specific process/criteria and participate in formal and informal Root Cause Investigations for events involved in or by request. Track and utilize the plant's key performance metrics on shift that are applicable to the operating the Plant role to optimize operations and identify improvement opportunities. Use process knowledge and skills to make improvements in plant performance and operating discipline. Proactively identify improvements and opportunities utilizing the facility improvement processes, appropriate management of change processes and communication tools. Perform autonomous maintenance, including minor repairs and preventative maintenance, utilizing appropriate policies, procedures, processes and disciplines. Required Qualifications A minimum of a High School diploma or equivalent. Must possess a current, valid US driver’s license. A minimum requirement for this U.S. based position is the ability to work legally in the United States. No visa sponsorship/support is available for this position, including for any type of U.S. permanent residency (green card) process. Preferred Qualifications Short-Cycle Tertiary Degree (i.e. associate’s degree) in Process Technology or related field is preferred. 2 or more years of operator, manufacturing, or related experience. Your Skills Operational Discipline - Demonstrates adherence to established policies, procedures, and standards to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations. Maintains consistency in executing both planned and unplanned tasks. Process Monitoring & Decision-Making - Continuously observes equipment, control systems, and performance metrics to make informed decisions that align with plant goals and maintain optimal operating conditions. Troubleshooting & Issue Escalation - Proactively identifies and resolves operational issues within the shift team’s capabilities and escalates unresolved problems to appropriate support roles in a timely manner. Team Collaboration & Workload Balancing - Works effectively with shift team members and other teams to share knowledge, balance workloads, and ensure timely completion of assigned tasks. Training & Mentorship - Provides guidance and training to new and existing operators, helping them understand process operations, troubleshooting techniques, and the use of operating discipline tools. Continuous Improvement & Initiative - Uses discretionary time to identify and implement improvements in plant performance, operating discipline, and safety. Participates in root cause investigations and facility improvement processes. Autonomous Maintenance - Performs minor repairs and preventive maintenance tasks independently, following appropriate procedures and safety protocols to support equipment reliability. Physical Demands Willing and able to meet physical demands of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations: Wear safety equipment, such as earplu