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POSITION SUMMARY

Purpose

The HYCO Steam Methane Reformer Shift Operator is accountable for the day-to-day operation for one of the APQ facilities which can include a Hydrogen Steam Methane Reformer, a CO2 Removal Unit & CO2 Compression, Auxiliary PSA, Membrane Unit, related Utilities and pipeline network for the Air Products Qudra (APQ) Company in Jubail, Saudi Arabia.

Nature & Scope

The HYCO Shift Operator, reporting to the HYCO Lead/Shift Supervisor, is accountable for the day-to-day operation of the HYCO facility, ensuring the production requirements set by the customer are achieved in a safe and efficient manner. The Shift Operator will execute daily tasks which include preparing and implementing safety work permits, LOTO, complete operations preventative maintenance activities, and assist the maintenance and engineering teams in preparing and executing corrective maintenance activities.

NOTE: “ALL OPERATORS INTERVIEWED BASED ON YEARS OF SERVICE, EXPERIENCE, AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS WILL BE EVALUATED AND CONSIDERED FOR LEAD AND SUPERVISOR POSITIONS AFTER COMPLETION OF THE OPERATOR PROGRESSION COURSE. PERSONS WITH A MINIMUM OF 5 YEARS TO 15 + YEARS EXPERIENCE IN PLANT OPERTIONS AND LEADERSHIP POSITIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED”.

Principal Accountabilities

Safety

Maintain a safe work environment. Demonstrate leadership with all company & industry safe work processes to prevent all injuries. Ensure proper documentation is maintained for safety related activities.

Technical

Operate the HYCO Steam Methane Reformer and CO2 recovery units and ancillary equipment including water treatment units as prescribed by the Work Instruction Procedures
Operate the pipeline network to supply hydrogen, steam, and CO2 to the pipeline customers safely and efficiently. The Pipeline operations team will be part of the overall operating team and will also manage the oxygen and nitrogen pipeline products.
Provide Operations support & guidance during the commissioning of the plant. Maintain accurate document control and monitor quality assurance initiatives.
Provide Operations guidance to ensure safety, reliability and maintainability of equipment, processes, utilities, and controls.
Manage plant production efficiently based on input provided from Plant Management and Plant Production Engineering to ensure safety and reliability targets are met to achieve maximum profitable.
Report shift production progress and plant status to the Shift Supervisor, providing operational solutions for shortfall areas.

Operations

Ensure the safety of all operations personnel by utilizing the APQ Basic Safety Practice program, which includes Safety Work Permits, LOTO, Confined Space, etc. The position facilitates executing, organizing, and auditing, to build the Air Products safety culture into the APQ.
Ensure compliance with process safety, MOC’s, and OPHR requirements.
Operate the facility insuring Environmental and Regulatory requirements are not exceeded.
Assist in the commissioning activities of the facility
Ensure Air Products and APQ standards, and global best practices for EH&S, productivity, reliability, quality, and overall customer services are met
Follow the Site Work Instruction Manuals for the HYCO, CO2, and ancillary equipment units, along with adhering to other operating and maintenance procedures and checklists to meet the customer’s satisfaction on safety, reliability, product quality, and flexibility of product supply while in compliance of contractual requirements.
Follow shift turnover protocols to ensure the safe and efficient handover to the following shift.
Support & maintain close working relationships with engineering and maintenance personnel to continuously monitor & evaluate plant systems & equipment through a Plant Process Advisory Model.
Support the maintenance and engineering team in maintaining plant reliability through the execution of preventive maintenance activities scheduled and coordinating of corrective maintenance activities of the equipment in order to optimize activities during plant shut-downs to avoid business interruption.
Provide operations support and participate in investigations and Root Cause Analysis in order to identify & implement sustainable corrective actions.
Facilitate attainment of operational excellence and customer satisfaction via operations productivity, reliability, quality, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Maintain customer communications and relationships at the ‘board’ level, insuring customer demand rates are satisfied while maximizing the efficiency and profitability of the facility.
Communication of plant activities with other shifts to maintain continuity between shifts for a safe and reliable operation.
Execute other duties as assigned from reporting managers in a timely and efficient manner.

Job Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Chemical, Mechanical, or Chemical Process Operations preferred. An Associate Technical Degree (2-year certificate) will be considered based on years of experience and competence. Experience in process plant operation, demonstrated Hydrogen/SMR/acid gas removal units production plant knowledge a plus with a minimum of 5 years plant operations experience.
Expectation based on level of experience for the operations team to achieve a ‘Level 1 / Board Level’ status within 2 – 4 years. Operators will be evaluated during the training period and placed at the level of competence accordingly. All the operations team are considered field and board operators when Level 1 is achieved.
Knowledgeable in the local environmental and health and safety requirements. Demonstrated interpersonal skills.
A strong commitment to employee involvement, team building and diversity.
Able to communicate between operations and maintenance teams.
Ability to communicate with the customer at the board level on a daily basis.
Proficiency in English speaking and writing.

We are the world’s largest hydrogen producer with over 80 years of industrial gas experience. We are hydrogen and industrial gas experts delivering safe, end-to-end solutions, investing in real, clean energy projects at scale, and driving the industry forward to generate a cleaner future. 

At Air Products, we work in an environment where we put safety first, diversity is essential, inclusion is our culture, and each person knows they belong and matter. To learn more, visit About Air Products.

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HYCO Operator