Company Overview

Arkema is a global leader in Specialty Materials, operating in more than 50 countries with approximately 21,000 employees worldwide. Our Singapore plant is part of the High Performance Polymers business and integrates both monomer and polymer production, serving growing customer demand across Asia.

Job Summary

Join Arkema's Operations team as a Polymer Manufacturing Specialist, where you will provide technical and operational leadership to ensure safe, reliable and efficient plant operations.

You will be responsible for achieving production targets, optimising plant performance, improving process reliability and leading production teams. The role works closely with Maintenance and other site functions to drive operational excellence, continuous improvement and people development within a hazardous chemical manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily production operations to achieve production, quality, safety and cost objectives.
• Optimise the running of production units, troubleshoot operational issues and improve process reliability.
• Establish, review and maintain operating instructions and production practices.
• Drive process optimisation and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance plant performance.
• Coordinate with Maintenance to organise and implement maintenance activities while supporting safe and reliable operations.
• Lead, manage and develop Shift Leaders, Process Technicians, the Lead Material Handler and Material Handlers.
• Manage manpower planning, staff schedules and operational requirements.
• Provide hands-on support, coaching and appropriate training plans to develop team competencies.
• Oversee the training of new employees and validate their competency before independent deployment.
• Manage employee performance and support the career development of Operations and Material Handler teams.
• Ensure compliance with Arkema's HSEQ rules, procedures and Integrated Management System.
• Identify and address potential HSEQ risks and participate in emergency preparedness, incident management and investigations.
• Drive improvement programmes in line with site operational and HSEQ priorities.

Requirements

• Degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in polymer manufacturing, specialty chemical manufacturing or a similar continuous chemical manufacturing environment.
• Strong practical knowledge of chemical engineering and manufacturing processes.
• Experience in production operations, process optimisation, troubleshooting and process reliability.
• Knowledge of risk management associated with hazardous chemical processes.
• Proven experience in leading and managing production or operations teams.
• Strong problem-solving, organisational and decision-making skills.
• Good communication skills with the ability to provide clear direction and work effectively across functions.
• Strong leadership capabilities with a proactive, flexible, self-motivated and results-oriented mindset.

Location

Jurong Island, Singapore

Why Join Us

• Be part of Arkema's global High Performance Polymers business.
• Work within an advanced chemical manufacturing environment integrating monomer and polymer production.
• Take on a senior role combining technical expertise, operational leadership and people management.
• Contribute directly to plant reliability, operational excellence and continuous improvement.
• Work in a collaborative and multicultural environment with opportunities for professional development.