Location: Elwood, IL
Company: Stepan Company
direct impact on the organization and gain hands-on, real world work experience alongside our experienced engineers and operators in a chemical manufacturing plant. Key Responsibilities Support 6 Sigma and Kaizen projects for continuous improvement Support the Sulfonation operating area with unplanned downtime improvement efforts Support development and implementation of additional checklists and work instructions for production areas Support training development and management of change Collaborate with cross functional team Actively participate and contribute to safety programs Assist operations and maintenance with troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and problem solving Participate in process
safety management activities and reviews Qualifications Broad technical knowledge in general engineering principles Ability to organize, prioritize, and work independently Excellent teamwork and communication skills, both verbal and written Demonstrated problem solving skills and attention to detail Education Candidates must be authorized to work in the US on a full-time indefinite basis without the need for employment visa sponsorship now or in the future.
Candidates who must have equivalent credits towards a sophomore or junior grade level. Candidates must be enrolled at an accredited college or university, pursuing BS in Chemical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering Summer term candidates
must be available to work full-time for a minimum of 3 months (June – August).
Stepan does not offer housing or housing stipends for this Co-Op program. Candidates must have their own means of transportation. #LI-NK1 #LI-Onsite #LI-Intern Established in 1932, Stepan Company is a major manufacturer of basic and intermediate chemicals including surfactants, polymers, as well as specialty ingredients that go into consumer, household, and institutional products such as laundry detergents, shampoos, and surface cleaners. Stepan Company currently has 22 global manufacturing locations and over 2,500 employees. We have a strong record of growth. Our growth allows us to provide meaningful career opportunities and stability to our team members.
We have big goals at Stepan and know every team member will be crucial to achieving our objectives. Regardless of function, we are looking for team members who bring with them a growth mindset, an entrepreneurial spirit, and the ability to thrive in an evolving environment. We celebrate diversity at Stepan and are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive environment. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, interaction, gender, gender identity or expression, interactionual orientation, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.
Engineering jobs encompass various roles focused on designing, developing, and maintaining structures, machines, devices, systems, and materials. These positions require a strong foundation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) and often involve problem-solving, creativity, and technical expertise. Typical engineering disciplines include civil, mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineering, among others. Engineers work in diverse industries, from automotive to aerospace, construction to computing. Characteristics of engineering jobs include a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application, a commitment to safety and efficiency, and the likelihood of collaborating across multidisciplinary teams.
Engineering jobs encompass a vast array of specialized roles within the field of engineering, aimed at designing, developing, and maintaining various technological systems and structures. These roles typically require a strong foundation in mathematics and science, and they span across numerous sectors such as civil, mechanical, electrical, and software engineering, among others. The key features of engineering careers include problem-solving, innovation, and the application of practical knowledge to create solutions that can improve people's lives, enhance business operations, or even address global challenges. Engineers often work in teams, collaborate with other professionals, and are at the forefront of technological advancement.
of efficiency and effectiveness tools, the ability to perform problem analysis at both a strategic and functional level, and experience managing cross-functional teams and projects. • Identify, develop, and execute improvement projects in the areas of plant productivity, product quality, EHS performance, reliability, and profitability (Cost-Out) aligned with the site priorities and Optimization Engineering Team’s portfolio.
• Lead cross-function teams focused on process improvement and optimization and manage the development of short-term/long-term initiatives, schedule, budget, and implementation. • Develop Engineering Requests for Cap Ex implementation of aligned improvement projects
including process design input, justification, and implementation. • Participate in the capital project design and review process on key projects with a focus on maximizing process capability, product quality and process uptime.
• Identify projects to improve process performance and equipment reliability by identifying and correcting root cause of chronic problems and special causes. • Support and promote CI initiatives throughout the site including implementation of a Management Operating System (MOS) and Production Loss Accounting System (PLAS) process and provide coaching and facilitation to area leaders and employees to ensure adoption. • Collect and analyze KPI, process, and quality
data to drive project selection, optimization, and implementation.
• Support strategic quality initiatives through analysis of production practices and monitoring of quality process and standards compliance within the production environment. • Work cross-functionally with Accounting, Finance, and others to ensure alignment on project value benefits. Validate project analysis and Cost-Out results calculations are accurate and deliver stated benefits. • Participate and maintain compliance related activities including internal and external audits for applicable standards and certifications such as ISO 9001:2015, EFf CI, FSSC 22000, Kosher, Halal, RSPO, ISCC+ and others.
Qualifications • Minimum of 5 years of experience is required. • Have working knowledge of lab practices, manufacturing practices, continuous improvement, and process optimization. • Experience managing projects and cross-functional teams within chemical and/or manufacturing environments. • Experience with Kaizen, RCFA, SPC, VSM, LPA, DMAIC, 5 Why, FMEA preferred. Education • Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering or Engineering is required. #LI-KB1 #LI-ONSITE Stepan Company does not accept or retain unsolicited resumes or phone calls and/or respond to them or to any third party representing job seekers.
Established in 1932, Stepan Company is a major manufacturer of basic and intermediate chemicals including surfactants, polymers, as well as specialty ingredients that go into consumer, household, and institutional products such as laundry detergents, shampoos, and surface cleaners. Stepan Company currently has 22 global manufacturing locations and over 2,500 employees. We have a strong record of growth. Our growth allows us to provide meaningful career opportunities and stability to our team members. We have big goals at Stepan and know every team member will be crucial to achieving our objectives.
Regardless of function, we are looking for team members who bring with them a growth mindset, an entrepreneurial spirit, and the ability to thrive in an evolving environment. We celebrate diversity at Stepan and are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive environment. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, interaction, gender, gender identity or expression, interactionual orientation, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.
Engineering jobs encompass a variety of roles focused on designing, developing, and maintaining systems or structures. These positions often require strong problem-solving skills, technical expertise, and a solid foundation in mathematics and science. Engineers typically work in fields such as civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical, or software engineering. The unique characteristic of engineering jobs lies in their blend of creativity and practicality, as engineers innovate while ensuring functionality and safety. With the ongoing advancement of technology, engineering roles are also evolving, demanding continuous learning and adaptation.
