Improvement Manager

At Dow, we believe in putting people first and we’re passionate about delivering integrity, respect and safety to our customers, our employees and the planet.  

Our people are at the heart of our solutions. They reflect the communities we live in and the world where we do business. Their diversity is our strength. We’re a community of relentless problem solvers that offers the daily opportunity to contribute with your perspective, transform industries and shape the future. Our purpose is simple - to deliver a sustainable future for the world through science and collaboration. If you’re looking for a challenge and meaningful role, you’re in the right place. 

Our purpose

Join a team that’s passionate about partnership. With careers at Dow, we take time to explore questions and talk to each other. We love to learn. Our people are driven by limitless curiosity.

We are an innovative, customer centric, inclusive, and sustainable materials science company.

-Employing 36,500 individuals

-Across 109 manufacturing sites

-In over 31 countries

Our portfolio of products and solutions include:

• Plastics: With new technology trends, our plastic additives can be experienced in many everyday items including vinyl, blow-molding bottles, film, rigid containers, PVC plastics, siding, decks and rails, foam pipes and profile formulations, window frames and high-efficiency lubricants.

• Industrial intermediates: As the product of a reaction that is beneficial when used as a precursor chemical for another product, industrial intermediates can take on many shapes and forms. Ours are used in home comfort and appliance, building and construction, adhesives and lubricants, and more.

• Coatings: Whether it’s a water-based coating or solvent-based coating, a thin film is deposited on materials to enhance specific properties such as enhanced performance, durability, aesthetics, and sustainability.

• Silicone businesses: Our silicone-based materials can withstand more demanding applications, from those operating at extreme temperatures, to those under harsh environmental conditions for long periods of time.

• Learn more about our partnerships, collaborations and innovations on LinkedIn (@Dow) or Twitter (@DowNewsroom).

  We make diversity and inclusion a priority.

Dow has a great opportunity as Improvement Manager based in Breu Branco (BRA). This position will dedicate to Process Safety and Project Management - GPM activities. Will lead prioritization and implementation of capital projects and process safety programs in Natural Resources and Breu Branco Sites.

Requires in-depth development of conceptual and practical knowledge in charcoal and silicon metal processes and own job discipline.

While the Improvement Manager is the primary technical contact for Process Safety and technology management within their facility. Improvement Manger works in partnership with the Geographic and Business Process Safety Technology Leaders (PSTL)s, Business Technology Centers, EH&S Leaders, Site Leaders, operations personnel to appropriately manage and minimize process safety risk.

Responsibilities / Duties

• Work with PSTL’s and Business Technology Center to provide Process Safety support for the facility, including guidance on implementation of Loss Prevention Principles (LPP’s) and compliance plans with local regulations.

• Perform Process Safety reviews on MOC’s for the facility, escalating to PSTL for further review where required.

• Communication focal point (both directions) for the Process Safety related knowledge and issues at the facility.

• Facilitate gap assessments against Dow’s mandatory requirements and local standards and work with plant leadership to gain resources to close identified gaps.

• Participate in, and help prepare for, Root Cause Investigations (RCIs), Reactive Chemical Process Hazard Analysis (RCPHA), Management of Change reviews, and other Process Safety requirements as needed.

• Plant resource for process safety self-assessments, EHS audits, and LOPA revalidations.

• Works with Maintenance to review instrumented protective system (SIS, BPCS, CI) test, inspection, and calibration results and follow up as needed.

• Assist in developing plant, business, and site process safety goals.

• Actively engage in geographic and / or Business Process Safety Focal point networks and communication meetings to share best practices and Learning Experience Reports.

• Support development and delivery of Process Safety training in the facility.

• Serve in a business leadership role leading the development and completion of technology plans supporting global business and functional strategy by application of the continuous improvement work process.

• Lead continuous improvement work process to develop and implement Plant Specific Technology Plans (PSTP) in alignment with the Global Technology Plan including data collection, gap analysis, idea generation, prioritization, improvement project implementation, and review of results.

• Work as Project Manager responsible for entire cycle of projects implementation.

• Interact with the technology center to set priorities for MET definition needs.

• Ensure validation of project performance objectives after implementation Problem solving g/troubleshooting ability.

Daily routine

• Partners with the Technology Center and EH&S leaders to develop and implement site strategies for meeting EH&S goals as related to process safety.

• Conducts Site LOPA (Layers or Protection Analysis) studies. 

• Conducts Site RC/PHAs (Reactive Chemical / Process Hazard Assessment).

• Conducts Site LPP (Loss Prevention Principles) Assessment.

• Approves Site MOC’s (Management of Change) reviews.

• Leads and Participates in Site Process Safety RCIs (Root Cause Investigations) events.

• Participates in Project LPP (Loss Prevention Principles) Gap assessments with the Project Team.

• Participates in Job Certification and Onboarding Program for site employees at Process Safety discipline.

• Provides Process Safety expertise for MOC (Management of Change reviews).

• Provides interpretations of LPPs (Loss Prevention Principles) and other Process Safety requirements.

• Provides Process Safety training for technical personnel.

• Participates in Project Reviews with the Technology Center and develop recommendations for addressing process safety issues. 

• Partners with Technology Center to define Process Safety templates that can be used at the site.

• Participates in Process Safety Technology Center initiatives.

Experience

• Bachelor's degree plus engineering, manufacturing or related experience required.

• 5 years of experience in Process Safety, Operation, Manufacturing, Project Management. Other relevant experience can be considered.

• Fluent English.

• Process Safety Standards experience.

• Silicon Metal manufacturing process experience (plus).

Your skills, knowledge, and abilities include:

• Strong work process knowledge,

• Interpersonal effectiveness,

• Self-learning,

• Self-management,

• Conflict management,

• Whole picture perception and interpretation,

• Teamwork,

• Team management,

• Taking initiative,

• Problem solving skills,

• Value creation,

• Project management skills,

• Technical proficiency in use of computer applications.

IMPORTANT:

Dow is committed to a workplace strategy that allows and enables flexibility, based on business requirements and individual needs. That's why we implemented Design Your Day, which allows us to offer more flexibility to employees, increasing their ability to perform and be their best every day. Learn more about Design Your Day when you start career conversations with us.

• Without prejudice to further details about the Design You Day, we clarify that the position offered is a position with a critical location, that is the activities carried out and the Dow location where it performs are interdependent. When applying, be aware that your work arrangement will be adjusted with the leadership and formalized at the time of placement, in case of approval for this position.

• Do not forget to attach your resume in English.

Benefits – What Dow offers you 

We invest in you. 
 

Dow invests in total rewards programs to help you manage all aspects of you: your pay, your health, your life, your future, and your career. You bring your background, talent, and perspective to work every day. Dow rewards that commitment by investing in your total wellbeing.

Here are just a few highlights of what you would be offered as a Dow employee: 

• Equitable and market-competitive base pay and bonus opportunity across our global markets, along with locally relevant incentives. 
• Benefits and programs to support your physical, mental, financial, and social well-being, to help you get the care you need...when you need it. 
• Competitive retirement program that may include company-provided benefits, savings opportunities, financial planning, and educational resources to help you achieve your long term financial-goals. 
  • Employee stock purchase programs (availability varies depending on location).
• Student Debt Retirement Savings Match Program (U.S. only).
  • Dow will take the value of monthly student debt payments and apply them as if they are contributions to the Employees’ Savings Plan (401(k)), helping employees reach the Company match.
• Robust medical and life insurance packages that offer a variety of coverage options to meet your individual needs. Travel insurance is also available in certain countries/locations.
• Opportunities to learn and grow through training and mentoring, work experiences, community involvement and team building. 
• Workplace culture empowering role-based flexibility to maximize personal productivity and balance personal needs. 
• Competitive yearly vacation allowance.
• Paid time off for new parents (birthing and non-birthing, including adoptive and foster parents).
• Paid time off to care for family members who are sick or injured.
• Paid time off to support volunteering and Employee Resource Group’s (ERG) participation. 
• Wellbeing Portal for all Dow employees, our one-stop shop to promote wellbeing, empowering employees to take ownership of their entire wellbeing journey.
• On-site fitness facilities to help stay healthy and active (availability varies depending on location).
• Employee discounts for online shopping, cinema tickets, gym memberships and more.
• Additionally, some of our locations might offer:
  • Transportation allowance (availability varies depending on location)
  • Meal subsidiaries/vouchers (availability varies depending on location)
  • Carbon-neutral transportation incentives e.g. bike to work (availability varies depending on location)

Join our team, we can make a difference together.

About Dow

Dow (NYSE: DOW) is one of the world’s leading materials science companies, serving customers in high-growth markets such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer applications. Our global breadth, asset integration and scale, focused innovation, leading business positions and commitment to sustainability enable us to achieve profitable growth and help deliver a sustainable future. We operate manufacturing sites in 31 countries and employ approximately 35,900 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $45 billion in 2023. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. ​​​​Learn more about us and our ambition to be the most innovative, customer-centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world by visiting www.dow.com.

As part of our dedication to the diversity of our workforce, Dow is committed to equal opportunities in employment. We encourage every employee to bring their whole self to work each day to not only deliver more value, but also have a more fulfilling career. Further information regarding Dow's equal opportunities is available on www.dow.com.