Air Liquide

Process Engineer

Richmond Seppic, VA - Chemical logistics Full time
R10085874 Process Engineer (Open)

Location:

Richmond Seppic, VA - Chemical logistics

An Air Liquide Healthcare company, subsidiary of the Air Liquide group, Seppic has been designing, manufacturing, and marketing unique ingredients for over 75 years. These ingredients are used by consumers, patients, and professionals.

Worldwide, a vast team of talented women and men serve customers for health, well-being, and beauty of all. At Seppic, our vision is to help everyone enjoy a healthy life in a healthy environment.

How will you CONTRIBUTE and GROW?

A world leader in gases, technologies and services for Industry and Health, Air Liquide is present in 78 countries with approximately 64,500 employees and serves more than 3.8 million customers and patients. Oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen are essential small molecules for life, matter and energy. They embody Air Liquide’s scientific territory and have been at the core of the company’s activities since its creation in 1902. Air Liquide’s ambition is to be a leader in its industry, deliver long term performance and contribute to sustainability - with a strong commitment to climate change and energy transition at the heart of its strategy.
A subsidiary of Air Liquide, Seppic has been developing, manufacturing and marketing a wide range of innovative ingredients for cosmetic, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and veterinary products for over 80 years. Seppic combines multiple expertises in the fields of polymers, surfactants and emulsion technologies, active ingredients, biology, immunology, formulation, green chemistry, extraction and biotechnologies. Combining the dynamism of an international company on a human scale with the solidity of a large group, Seppic forms a team of nearly 800 talented men and women around the world who are passionate about what they do every day, serving their customers and the health, well-being and beauty of all. www.seppic.com
The Seppic Manufacturing site, opened in 2020, is located near Richmond, Virginia, USA. The plant specializes in producing ingredients for cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. It has enhanced our proximity to our North American customers and increased our manufacturing capabilities worldwide.
Its overall concept was designed to incorporate the highest levels of manufacturing quality for cosmetic and pharmaceutical ingredients. All of the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) are integrated at the product flow level as well as at the individual flow level. The units, all outfitted with a self-cleaning system, are fully automated for consistent and easily traceable quality.
The plant has been designed with a minimal-waste or emission objective. The best available techniques were used to reduce waste and emissions to a strict minimum at their origin. The principles of recycling have been systematically adopted and final discharge treatment systems have been installed at the vent and waste-water levels to ensure there is minimal impact on the environment.
The facility has obtained ISO 9001:2015, EFfCI and RSPO certification

Seppic Manufacturing is currently seeking qualified candidates for our Process Engineer. The Process Engineer is the subject matter expert in the plant for the production process. He/She will work as part of the manufacturing team to implement new and improve existing production processes. The Process Engineer will support the production shifts by delivering training to the shift supervisors and operators, help troubleshoot process or equipment issues, and create accurate and detailed batch records. The Process Engineer will execute procedures and work instructions as follows:

  • Provide daily troubleshooting support for manufacturing operations to ensure efficient production.

  • Collaborate closely with maintenance and operations teams to resolve technical issues and optimize equipment performance.

  • Lead initiatives to optimize batch processes, focusing on improving yield, reducing cycle times, and lowering production costs.

  • Conduct thorough root cause analyses to identify the underlying causes of issues and implement timely corrective actions.

  • Lead and actively participate in Continuous Improvement initiatives and workshops to drive process enhancements and efficiency gains.

  • Accurately reconcile raw material usage in the ERP system for completed production batches.

  • Develop and deliver training to operations personnel on updated processes and procedures.

  • Perform process and equipment validations to ensure compliance and operational reliability.

  • Track and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and control charts for production and packaging systems to identify trends and areas for improvement.

  • Assist in the planning and execution of shutdown and turnaround activities.

  • Be knowledgeable in OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) guidelines

  • Ensure the best productivity standards (Batch duration (manufacturing, packaging).

  • Ensure the best yield of process (waste production and energy consumption).

  • Liaise with maintenance team to coordinate maintenance operations.

  • Assist the Manufacturing Manager in the day to day operation with the production shifts: Planning of workflow, production sequences.

  • Create, edit and review production or packaging records.

  • Complete batch record review and process conformity

  • Assist the Manufacturing Manager with select capital investment projects.

  • Assist the Manufacturing Manager in analyzing assigned production process, schedule, and methods.

  • Participate in process safety studies (HAZOP) when needed.

  • Collaborate and validate process changes & process equipment changes (with Senior Process Development Engineer).

  • Participate in the Seppic C02 carbon footprint calculations and to propose ideas to reduce it.

  • Collaborate with and support Senior Process Development Engineers when appropriate.

  • Cover the appropriate Senior Process Development Engineer’s duties as needed (vacations/Holidays).

Process yield

  • Improve processes to ensure a good capability.

  • Build a Utility Map (energy and water) of the Seppic plant.

  • Propose and qualify process modifications targeting waste reduction and utility consumption.

Process Performance Execution

  • Identify all process and packaging losses.

  • Propose and follow an action plan to reduce main losses and increase process duration reliability.

  • Organize team work on C-imp (Continuous Improvement Air Liquide Lean program).

  • Propose investments to increase reliability.

  • Monitor process related KPI’s and use SPC to make decisions on any required actions

  • Evaluate operator tasks on process.

  • Propose modifications (technical, organizational) to reduce required human resources to operate.

Others activities

  • Participate in process safety studies (HAZOP) when needed.

  • Collaborate and validate process changes (with Senior Process Development Engineer).

  • Collaborate and validate process equipment changes (with the Senior Process Development Engineer).

  • Participate in the Seppic C02 carbon footprint calculations and to propose ideas to reduce it.

  • Collaborate with and support Senior Process Development Engineers when appropriate.

  • Cover the appropriate Senior Process Development Engineer’s duties as needed (vacations/Holidays).

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Are you a MATCH?

  • Ability to work independently and within teams and collaborate on various projects

  • Bachelor's degree, master's degree preferred in chemical engineering (equipment sizing, automation) and good basis in chemistry.

  • Six Sigma Lean tools (C-imp)

  • Willingness to teach and train team members at the operator, supervisor and engineer levels 

  • Experience working in an international environment a plus

Our Differences make our Performance


At Air Liquide, we are committed to build a diverse and inclusive workplace that embraces the diversity of our employees, our customers, patients, community stakeholders and cultures across the world.


We welcome and consider applications from all qualified applicants, regardless of their background. We strongly believe a diverse organization opens up opportunities for people to express their talent, both individually and collectively and it helps foster our ability to innovate by living our fundamentals, acting for our success and creating an engaging environment in a changing world.