Job Purpose

The purpose of the Senior Operator role is to safely & efficiently operate, monitor, and control chemical production processes involving hazardous chemicals, ensuring strict compliance with safety, quality, and environmental standards. The role is responsible for maintaining smooth plant operations, minimizing risks, adhering to SOPs, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives while coordinating with supervisors and junior operators to achieve production targets & operational excellence.

Principal Accountabilities

• Develop and review PFDs, P&IDs, mass & energy balances, and process datasheets for the new plant. 
• Scale up processes from pilot/lab to commercial scale, ensuring design integrity and safety.
• Provide field supervision during equipment erection, ensuring compliance with P&IDs and process intent. 
• Lead process troubleshooting in existing operations and support debottlenecking studies. 
• Drive process safety by participating in HAZOP, LOPA, and implementing recommendations. 
• Coordinate with other engineering disciplines (Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation) for integrated design. 
• Support commissioning, startup, and performance testing of process units. 
• Optimize process parameters for yield, quality, and utility consumption. 
• Document process manuals, operating procedures, and training modules for operations handover.

Major Challenges

• Translating lab/pilot data into a safe, efficient, and commercially viable full-scale plant design. 
• Managing process uncertainties and ensuring smooth commissioning with minimal operational disruptions.

Decisions

• Independent Decisions:Day-to-day process design calculations and troubleshooting recommendations.
• Field adjustments during erection and commissioning within design limits.  Decisions Requiring Approval:Major process technology changes and deviations from basic engineering design.