Production & Process Engineer

About this Position

We are seeking an experienced Senior Process Engineer (SME) to serve as the primary technical authority for our chemical manufacturing processes. In this role, you will act as the Subject Matter Expert, ensuring safe, stable, and efficient plant operations while driving technical excellence, troubleshooting complex issues, and leading continuous improvement initiatives. You will be a key reference point for process knowledge, supporting operations and influencing decisions through deep technical expertise, without direct authority over teams.

What you´ll do

• Process Ownership & Technical Expertise Act as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for chemical processes, with strong focus on polymerization.
• Own and optimize reactor performance and critical process variables.
• Define, maintain, and improve operating conditions and process standards.
• Lead complex troubleshooting and root cause analysis for recurring or high-impact issues.
• Provide expert recommendations to improve yield, quality, and process stability.
• Support Management of Change (MOC) processes through in-depth technical assessments.

Manufacturing Support

• Serve as the go‑to technical reference for operations teams.
• Provide hands‑on support to resolve process‑related challenges in real time.
• Lead initiatives to reduce downtime, variability, and operational losses.
• Partner closely with Production, Maintenance, and Planning to optimize plant performance.
• Drive cost‑saving opportunities through process improvements.

Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Champion Process Safety Management (PSM) principles.
• Ensure strict adherence to safety and operating standards.
• Lead/support investigations of process safety events and quality deviations.
• Participate in audits and ensure compliance with regulatory and corporate standards.
• Act as a role model for a strong safety and compliance culture.

Continuous Improvement & Knowledge Leadership

• Lead and participate in continuous improvement and problem‑solving initiatives.
• Develop and standardize troubleshooting methodologies and best practices.
• Provide technical coaching and training to operators, technicians, and engineers.
• Serve as the technical escalation point for complex or recurring issues.
• Capture and institutionalize process knowledge.

What makes you a good fit

• 5‑7 years of experience in chemical manufacturing.
• Strong expertise in polymerization processes.
• Background in continuous manufacturing operations.
• Proven experience in advanced troubleshooting and root cause analysis.
• Demonstrated experience acting as a technical expert or SME is highly preferred.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering (preferred) or related engineering field.

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of process control and process safety.
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts into practical operational actions.
• Advanced English proficiency.

Leadership & Influence

• Ability to lead through technical credibility and influence, not hierarchy.
• Strong cross‑functional collaboration skills.
• Effective communicator across operational and leadership levels.

Some perks of joining Henkel

• Global wellbeing standards with health and preventive care programs
• Gender‑neutral parental leave for a minimum of 8 weeks
• Employee Share Plan with voluntary investment and Henkel matching shares
• Flexible Benefits
• Canteen
• Savings Fund

At Henkel, we come from a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. We believe the uniqueness of all our employees is the power in us. Become part of the team and bring your uniqueness to us! We welcome all applications across different genders, origins, cultures, religions, sexual orientations, disabilities, and generations.