Process Technologist - Brits at Bridgestone South Africa (Pty) Ltd

Job Purpose

To optimize mixing specifications and compounds to achieve the most consistent extrusion and calendaring results and adequate tack levels of components reaching the tyre assembly department with emphasis placed on waste and scrap reduction meeting budgeted objectives.

Main responsibilities

Optimize mixing processes to increase mixing capacity and minimize waste and scrap.

• Analyse mixing conditions statistically
• Formulate improvement actions
• Evaluate formulated improvement actions
• Implement improvement actions
• Monitor improved conditions
• Maintain compound process capability within TCE specified ranks

Introduce new compounds and/or raw materials to satisfy new tyre development strategy.

• Analyse current mixing conditions versus experimental conditions
• Implement plant and volume trials
• Monitor volume trial results for 6 months period
• Maintain compound process capabilities within TCE specified ranks

Control viscosity criteria for all compounds.

• Monitor all compound viscosities daily
• Analyse trends and implement necessary changes to control within specified limits

Waste reduction in mixing and extrusion areas.

• Collaborate with CFTs to identify opportunities for waste reduction
• Formulate agreed actions from processing and/or compound physical property perspective
• Monitor implemented actions and justify waste reduction

TMA reduction in mixing.

• Maximize TMA work away potential at the mixers using TCE standards or plant standards approved by Technical Services Manager
• Collaborate with CFT’s to identify opportunities for TMA reduction in extrusion areas
• Formulate agreed actions from processing perspective
• Monitor implemented actions and justify TMA reduction

Off specification batch reduction.

• Analyse off spec batch trend within CFT
• Identify causes and make recommendations for improvement
• Implement corrective actions
• Monitor implemented actions and justify off spec batch reduction

Specification optimization.

• Implement plant and volume trials
• Monitor volume trial results for 6 months period

CFT activities

• Active involvement in mixer CFT activities aimed at increasing productivity, reducing waste and scrap and maintaining budgeted costs

SHEQ and Risk Management

• Ensure that all SHEQ requirements and Risk Management functions from a Technical Services point of view are implemented and adhered to in mixing department

Requirements:

• BSc in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering (P)
• B Tech Chemistry or Chemical Engineering (R)
• Diploma in polymer or rubber technology (P)

Experience:

• At least 5 years’ experience in rubber mixing and extrusion, preferably in the tyre manufacturing industry.