APQ - Technical Manager

COMPANY PROFILE

Air Products Qudra (APQ) is a regional development and investment joint venture (JV) between Air Products and Qudra Energy, a subsidiary of Vision Invest. Air Products is a world-leading industrial gases company developing, engineering, building, owning and operating many of the world's largest industrial gas projects.  Vision Invest is a leading development and investment Holding Company in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with a diversified portfolio of investments across several sectors such as Utility, Infrastructure, Logistics and Industrial Gases with a global operational investment footprint.

PURPOSE

Reporting to the Operations Director, the role of the Technical Manager is to provide overall technical oversight for the Air Products Qudra assets which currently includes the Jubail ASU and HYCO Facility located in Jubail, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. New growth through new projects and acquisitions will be technically supported by this role. 

The role is ensuring that all technical issues and improvement opportunities in support of the facility are prioritized, coordinated, and directed to a successful outcome across all the engineering disciplines that support the site as well as to ensure the smooth and reliable operation and maintenance of all aspects of the plant, with the aim of achieving the highest plant safety, reliability, and availability.

NATURE & SCOPE

This position reports functionally to the Operations Director and has the following direct reports: Functional Engineering Managers and the Reliability and Maintenance Solutions team.

The incumbent is responsible for the APQ interface with the key business and supply chain management teams as it relates to technical and engineering support for Plant Operations.

The Technical Manager supports plant operations, maintenance and turnaround activities, plant project engineering, and new installations, to minimize downtime and ensure customer requirements are satisfied.  The position works across multiple platforms and regions in the Middle East and has responsibility over a number of diverse technologies which can include; Steam Methane Reforming (SMR), Partial Oxidization (POX), Power Generation, Air Separation (ASU), and CO2 capture.  The Technical Manager ensures the organization and coordination of support groups, such as Plant Project Engineering, Supply Chain, Health, Safety, and Environmetnal, & Process Safety for ongoing operations, turnarounds and projects.  During periods of crisis the incumbent is required to provide the support input to plan, organize, and execute proper remedial action.  Due to the importance to reestablish production and/or avoid customer interruptions the incumbent must utilize mastery of management technique, operational savvy, coordinate the supervision of diverse groups forming a team to safely and efficiently complete the task at hand.

The incumbent has the primary responsibility for the safe implementation of technical solutions and application of appropriate regulatory and company standards .  The incumbent is responsible to administer and ensure compliance of established safety procedures at all times.  He/she must establish an atmosphere of safety and motivate personnel to remain focused on safety.  The incumbent supports the safety goals established ; hazard identification processes are instituted, and initiates proper strategic action items to enhance the overall safety performance.  The incumbent also has accountability for ensuring compliance with all aspects of environmental performance, the health management of the workforce and community relations.

The incumbent evaluates the use of capital funds for facilities and equipment; formulates implementation plans that support the specific goals and objectives for Air Products Qudra that aligns and supports the business plans and assures the proper coordination and alignment of the various departments under their control; sets the goals and direction for productivity and efficiency improvements; establishes systems for cost control, establishes manpower levels, and sets objectives for improved utilization of manpower.  He/she develops the plans and processes for manpower succession, ensures procedures are in place to ensure adherence to all governmental regulations and provides the direction for adequate staffing, training, and equipment to operate safely, control costs, and provide uninterrupted service to customers.  The incumbent must work closely with line and staff groups such as Sales, Purchasing, Law, Finance, Logistics, H.R., etc.

The Technical Manager assures a positive team-oriented culture by providing a focus on the job enrichment processes, communication programs, teambuilding/empowerment processes, training programs, diversity in the workplace and opportunities for cross fertilization across various company areas.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Administer EH&S compliance to ensure the protection of personnel, the community, and the environment through proper application of regulatory codes and internal Air Products Qudra standards
• Ensure proper execution and compliance of Process Safety systems for the facilities.
• Ensure resources, tools and procedures employed by Engineering teams are regionally appropriate and globally consistent
• Ensure Engineering teams are technically qualified, properly focused and accountable to meet business needs.
• Ensure the appropriate application of Advanced Controls resources and tools to meet business needs
• Develop appropriate asset, platform and tool obsolescence strategic plans and provide guidance to business leadership
• Ensure the efficient, safe, and continuous operation and maintenance of the facilities and operations’ and run elements of the supply chain by prioritizing engineering and technical support elements consistent with business needs
• Maintain outstanding customer relations by providing technically complete and insightful support to business inquiries as well as event response
• Provide appropriate relevant technical feedback to support business development, both in product development as well as asset acquisitions.
• Ensure excellence in performance and continuity of management through the effective selection, development, and motivation of a team of managers organized to optimize individual and group capabilities.
• Ensure the proper technical depth exists in the technical ladder for the Air Products Qudra  Technical Team to address both current and future engineering support needs
• Flawless tactical implements of the strategic plan in a cost-effective manner.  Provide critical operations’ input into the development of business strategic and operating plans.
• Provide the leadership and direction for Engineering functions in productivity and efficiency.
• Establish effective asset management programs to drive productivity in business profitability.
• Ensure the proper procedures and processes are in place to provide proper materials management support for provisioning, plant support and warehousing elements.  Manage the Relaibility and Maintenance Solutions team providing optimum solutions for the safe and reliable maintenance of the assets
• Provide RCA and HAZOP leadership to drive towards zero incidents
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations as well as corporate policy covering the operations.
• In conjunction with process and supply chain core teams, establish work processes aligned with the primary goals of the corporation.
• Provide leadership to effectively identify and promote practical best practices and work processes.
• Provide the communication link between the Air Products Qudra Technical team and all other interfacing organizations including Air Products support through Technical Service Agreements as it relates to Engineering and Technical support.
• Provide Air Products Qudra management with information that is accurate and timely to permit them to anticipate problems, recognize opportunities, and ensure effective decisions and actions.