Formaldehyde Operator

Company Overview

Imagine Everything. Build the Future with Hexion.

At Hexion, we push boundaries, rethink possibilities, and create real impact. We activate science to deliver progress—developing breakthrough solutions that strengthen industries, protect communities, and drive a more sustainable future.

This is where bold thinkers, problem-solvers, and innovators come together to shape what’s next. Whether you're engineering advanced materials, transforming manufacturing technologies, or leading strategic innovation, your ideas and actions leave a lasting mark. We cultivate an inclusive culture of growth, collaboration, and accountability, ensuring every contribution propels us forward.

We don’t follow the status quo—we challenge it, disrupt it, and improve it. Every role at Hexion is part of something bigger.

We invest in innovation, sustainability, and continuous development—equipping you with the tools, training, and opportunities to excel. With an unwavering commitment to safety, partnership, belonging, and impact, we empower you to lead change and strengthen industries worldwide.

Your Future Starts Here.  

If you’re ready to push limits, reimagine what’s possible, and create the extraordinary, Hexion is where you belong. 

Anything is possible when you imagine everything. 

Position Overview

Our Formaldehyde plant operators have the following responsibilities, and are skilled in the following practices:

• Formaldehyde Plant Operations
• Safety
• Maintenance
• Boilers
• Shipping 

Job Responsibilities

Formaldehyde Plant Operations:

• To operate the formaldehyde plant in a safe and prudent manor, with emphasis on quality, quantity, efficiency, safety, including the maintenance and supporting utilities thereof.
• Continue education for certification as an “A” class formaldehyde operator,  ie. Principles of distillation, absorption, purification, heat exchange, refrigeration, process flows, etc…
• The safe operations of plant Start-ups, Shut-downs, Standard Operating practices and Emergency Procedures.
• Performing routine and non-routine formaldehyde and derivative product  assay testing, formic acid analysis and methanol content analysis.
• Employ the use of Statistical Process Control for plant process adjustments.
• Operators are responsible for the testing of the plant’s FM tank farm’s FM%, acid and methanol content and keeping the Resin dept. informed as to what feed tanks to draw from.
• Operators are responsible for catalyst recharging. The weighing, securing of returning kegs of spent catalyst.
• Operate specialized laboratory equipment: gas chromatographs and computerized integrator systems; titrations; personal computers; be versed in spreadsheets; word processing; database programs; gas analytical balances ; LE: monitors; O2 & CO sensors; HCHO detection equipment; pH meters; etc..
• Maintain current Monthly Rolling Totals of Waste Gas Bypass, Formaldehyde Storage, Methanol Storage, Formaldehyde Shipments and High Methanol Content.
• The operators generate work order notifications within the SAP structure, report and record problems to the relieving operators and supervisory staff. participate in and record process control data for designed experiment programs; perform both routine and non-routine tasks in accordance with the Process Operating Manual and Hexion Chemical, Inc. Safety Manual.
• Each operator utilizes general accounting practices, SAP process order scheduling, PI sheet maintenance. Process variable costs management and monetary settlements.
• Assist or complete monthly Silver Process Formaldehyde reports when  needed.
  The operators maintain their FM work schedule. Whenever possible switch shifts in order to lower overtime.(vacation, sick leave etc..)

Safety: 

• Remain current with Hexion Safety manual practices, MSDA manuals, Enviromental, Health & Safety standards. 
• Remain current with all Management of Change scheduled training for process controls, procedural, safety and operations manual changes.
• The operators maintain compliance with our regulatory operating permits, are versed in our spill prevention, containment, cleanup plan and Hexion’s emergency response program.
• Operators actively participate in plant Safety Meetings, Dept. Continuous Improvement Team meetings, successfully complete the goals, tasks and action items prescribed.
• Each operator performs monitoring tasks as scheduled and mandated by Federal, State and Local regulatory agencies ie. Weekly air monitoring and pump inspections.
• Monthly TLV/VOC Fugitive Emissions monitoring in compliance with our reporting program.
• The operators participate in and are members of our in-house Assisted Emergency response HazMat team, with some meetings being held in conjunction with various local Fire Departments.
• Review and issue Safe Work , Hot Work and Confined Space Entry permits.
• Working together to ensure Lock Out/Tag Out is used whenever applicable.     
• The FM operators oversee plant security during off-hours and weekends.
• Operators remain current with the Success Factors training program.

Additional Job Responsibilities

Maintenance:

• In the course of their duties, the operators are experienced in the handling of various raw materials which includes acids, caustics, defoamers, washes, rinses, etc..
• The operators are experienced and perform various truck and rail car loading and offloading procedures.
• Operators perform warehouseman duties ie. forklifts, maintenance and materials storage.
• Operators perform building maintenance, carpentry, insulation, painting and janitorial duties.
• Operators perform duties of grounds keeping, snow removal, watering, mowing, weed spraying etc…
• Operators work as Electrician Assistants, installing electrical conduits, pulling wire, etc.
• Operators assist our Instrumentation Technician in setting up process control loops, PLC operations, calibrations, man-machine interface programming on both electronic and pneumatic controlled systems.
• The operators complete tasks as assigned through the Action Item Maintenance System Database.

Boilers:

• The operators are responsible for maintaining proper boiler water chemistry. Chemistry includes sulfites, sequestrants, polymers and dispersants. FM operators maintain chemistry for our condensate returns, boiler feed water systems, water softeners and the maintenance and cleaning of such equipment.
• Perform laboratory analysis and maintain proper chemistry on boiler water, cooling water and various refrigerated closed loop systems.
• Cooling water chemistry consists of Molybdates, phosphates, chlorine feed systems, acid feed systems for PH control, dispersants and biological 
  controls.
• The operators maintain inventory for the ordering of boiler and cooling water chemicals and reagents.
• The formaldehyde operators are an instrumental element with our annual boiler inspection program, in teardown, cleaning, maintenance and reassembly.
• Each operator is required by the State to be certified as a High Pressure Second Class Boiler Engineer and maintain current with their license.

Shipping:

• Operators can assist in unloading methanol railcars 

Minimum Qualifications

• 2-4 years chemical manufacturing an asset

Education

• High School Diploma
• GED
• Fit for Duty

Other

We are an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, pregnancy, race, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran or military status, status as a qualified individual with a disability or any other characteristic protected by law.

To be considered for this position candidates are required to submit an application for employment through our career site and, be at least 18 years of age.  Any offer of employment will be conditioned upon successful completion of a drug test and background investigation, as well as authorization for the Company to conduct additional periodic background checks as required by the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) or regulations adopted by the department of Homeland Security or other regulatory agencies. A prior criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment, and the Company will conduct an individualized assessment and reassessment, consistent with applicable law, prior to making any final employment decision.