II
This position will report to the Manager, Process Control Group
PL determination will be commensurate with experience
1. Purpose: Technology Subject Matter Experts (SME’s) use expertise and leadership gained through years of experience to deliver improvements within the manufacturing system. The duties vary widely between practicing safety leadership, troubleshooting, deliberate improvement projects, capital projects, equipment and process studies and audits. A key component of a Subject Matter Expert’s job is to transfer knowledge and skills to mill personnel to build on-site capability.
The SME-II position is a functioning but developing SME. Results are balanced against continued technical and leadership growth.
Process Control engineers within the Reliability COE function as the SME’s in the Corporate Technology group for the activities involving the Mills’ Distributed Control Systems (DCS), Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC’s) and other automation systems. The role also includes work with process variability reduction and the implementation of precision maintenance practices.
Reliability COE Process Control engineers will support a broad range of automation technology needs within IP’s operating facilities and within its Corporate staff groups. This work is focused on improving the operational reliability of our Mills, improving manufacturing process performance, planning and implementing capital project activities and other automation needs as required.
This work will involve regular interaction with Mill employees, Corporate Business Groups in Memphis, our Capital Project execution teams, various discipline groups within IP Corporate Technology, Global Sourcing, and IP’s major automation suppliers. The Process Control SME’s work closely with the Instrument/Electrical Precision Maintenance (IEPM) SME’s, also in the Reliability CoE.
2. Key Accountabilities: The Subject Matter Expert position is accountable for delivering results on a wide range of assignments, short and long-term, across our global mill system. The SME must work well with varied teams and be able to quickly engage employees from all levels of the organization from executive to the shop floor, and influence vendors and contractors.
The SME-II is known and respected within the facilities exposed. The individual is able to function independently for general projects and issues within the skill area.
Develop and support the company’s automation strategy through regular interaction with the Mills’ Process Control staffs and with external resources that are recognized as providers of automation technology leadership.
Drive the improvement of IP’s operating reliability through the application of appropriate and innovative automation and information technologies, with an eye for continuous improvement.
Support IP’s reliability efforts through participation in the COE’s precision maintenance programs – along with other activities that may be developed to improve the capabilities of the Mills’ automation resources.
Support the long term reliability and maintainability of the Company’s automation assets through input into the Capital planning processes of the Mills and the Corporation.
Support the effective use of the company’s Capital spending through selected involvement in the Mills’ Capital projects that have significant automation spending.
3. Scope: The Subject Matter Expert position functions as an internal consultant, and is expected to develop projects and produce improvement in the area of expertise anywhere in the company. The duties range widely between safety leadership, troubleshooting, optimization, teaching, deliberate improvement projects, capital projects, process audits, strategic studies, and mentoring. Performance measurements include:
Ability to contribute to and deliver improving safety results, with a specific emphasis in their area of expertise
Ability to rapidly and accurately diagnose and resolve operating malfunctions, either onsite and or remotely
Reduction in consumption of direct raw materials, energy, and labor.
Improvement in production, reliability, availability and quality above historical limits and to world-class levels
Ability to interface with and technically develop or mentor others within their area of expertise
Ability to drive results and self-manage priorities on multiple, simultaneous projects
This role does not include any headcount responsibility.
The SME-II may be relatively new to the COE or still working on several of these areas for development of independence. The SME-II is a valued member of any project or improvement team.
4. Key Competencies: The SME is a self-directed individual and, as such, needs a wide array of leadership, functional / technical and organizational skills. Key examples include:
Leadership / Managerial Competencies
Interpersonal Savvy – This position interacts with all levels of the company, across the cultures and languages within IP operations. The individual must adapt as the situation requires and maintain positive outcomes.
Learning on the Fly & Problem Solving – This person is the expert within their area of specialization. As new or unique situations are encountered, they must self-develop technical skills as the situation dictates.
Presentation & Communication Skills – This person must employ strong verbal and written skills in the rapid communication of issue resolution and new opportunity development.
The SME-II is asked to be very collaborative and check advice and recommendations amongst peers due to the developing nature of their position. Leadership and advocacy for best practices and change are key leadership and influencing skills for the role.
The SME-II increasingly works independently, self-identifying and completing work and seeking leadership of specific projects.
Functional / Technical Competencies
Process – Expert in the individual’s specific area of expertise or combination of areas of expertise.
Engineering – Experienced in fundamentals of engineering needed for process or equipment design and knowledgeable of the capital process to at least a moderate level.
Operations – Familiar in the development of operating procedures and policy.
The SME-II’s skills and technical proficiency are still developing, and there are gaps within their capabilities than continue to be developed. However, the SME is expected to seek, to recognize, and to drive continuous improvement through world-class technologies. Imparting good general technical knowledge within the individual’s skill set is a clear objective of the position to build capability and self-sufficiency within the facilities.
The SME-II will be familiar with and work well with technical experts within the company or outside, but is not sought out for their knowledge by such experts.
5. Key Challenges: The SME may face a number of internal and external challenges within this position. Key examples include:
Providing guidance to the company’s Capital planning process to plan the appropriate replacements and upgrades to IP’s operating control systems.
Addressing the evolving need for security improvements in our Process Control systems.
Managing work that typically includes 60-80% travel
Providing guidance that addresses the changing architecture of Distributed Control Systems and other automation assets
Dealing with the conflicting priorities of Mill resources, Capital availability and scheduling associated Capital Project planning
Working with the different tactics and strategies related to Process Control system operation and Information Technology practices that are typically found in our business systems
6. Minimum Qualifications: Are there minimum qualifications beyond bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience? ý Yes ¨ No
The applicant will possess at least 10 years experience in operations and service within the area of expertise, with an emphasis on the Pulp & Paper Industry.
The applicant will be capable of supporting extensive domestic and international travel requirements, and providing process technical support on a business priority basis.
7. Process Control Expertise:
Experience with the configuration of distributed control systems (DCS) and/or the management of teams responsible for such configuration.
Process knowledge of multiple pulp and paper manufacturing processes
Experience in planning and executing capital projects
Knowledge of instrumentation and controls maintenance and engineering
A degree in chemical or electrical engineering or related work experience
Two (2) to ten (10) years experience with automation responsibilities in pulp and paper.
Experience as a Consultant in the Process Control field would be a benefit
Foreign language is not required, but skill in Russian, French, Portuguese or Polish would be useful
Prior experience in variability reduction and process optimization; knowledge of process control field devices such as valves and transmitters is valuable
The work requires the use of data collection tools, manipulation of data, error identification and correction, and the use of PI or similar applications for extraction of data from distributed control systems (DCS).
Excellent interpersonal skills, oral and written communication skills.