Operations Gatekeeper

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Date: Oct 13, 2026

Location: Baton Rouge, LA, US, 70805

Company: W. R. Grace & Co.

Annual Wage Range: $113,712.00  - $156,354.00 
Other Compensation:  Eligibility for the Short-Term Incentive program and other applicable bonuses 
Benefits: U.S. Employee Benefits Summary (grace.com)

Grace, a Standard Industries company, is a leading global supplier of catalysts, engineered materials and fine chemicals. We provide innovative products, technologies and services which our customers use to manufacture everyday products like renewable fuels, pharmaceuticals, toothpaste, cosmetics, food packaging, beer, edible oils and more. Our thousands of employees help shape a better future at our global headquarters in Columbia, MD and locations worldwide.

Job Description

Grace is hiring an Operations Gatekeeper to work onsite at their Baton Rouge plant. This role provides oversight and coordinates the activities of the Operations/Maintenance interface and the utilization of cross-functional support teams, while optimizing cost, safety, and utilization of available resources. A Maintenance Coordinator is the main representative from the point-of-manufacturing in a production-centered organization for all maintenance issues. To be successful, this individual must fulfill several roles and responsibilities.

Responsibilities

  • Works directly with maintenance to coordinate daily and weekly maintenance activities including prioritization of equipment repairs, PMs, and equipment projects
  • Evaluates work notifications for conversion to work orders
  • Develops an understanding of average decontamination, LOTO and return to service timing for typical maintenance activities.  
  • Facilitates evaluation of operations and maintenance turnaround/planned outage processes.  
  • Accountable for verification of equipment preparation for maintenance and permitting, including documentation, qualification testing and continuous improvement.  
  • Works directly with train coordinator to coordinate, schedule and track progress on needed equipment inspections including:
    • Flex hoses – inspection and replacement
    • PSD inspections
    • PSV inspections  
    • PT and hopper inspections
    • Conservation vent inspections
  • Coordinates and Secures 3rd party contractor work activities assuring those activities are completed in a safe and timely manner
  • Be familiar with the basic plant systems/utilities and show capability of basic troubleshooting for these systems (jacket utilities, steam, nitrogen, air, sumps, etc.
  • Ability to write, review, sign-off on MoCs and project startup approvals

Physical Requirements and Environment

  • Ability to follow safety protocols and standards working in a pilot plant facility with highly hazardous materials
  • Ability to work in a high hazard environment, including adverse weather conditions, elevated spaces, confined spaces, extreme temperatures, and noisy surroundings.
  • Must be able to stand, walk, sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and climb stairs and ladders over 100 ft.
  • Must be willing to wear PPE (Personal Protective equipment) including but not limited to hard hat, protective eyewear, steel-toed boots, hearing protection, Level A suit, full face respirator

Required Qualifications

  • 10+ years’ experience in an industrial environment; preferably a chemical manufacturing environment (with batch operations)
  • Must possess a strong working knowledge of chemical manufacturing plants and/or related industries. 
  • Previous experience in operations
  • High school diploma or GED equivalent

Preferred Qualifications

  • Ability to clearly and concisely communicate critical path activities, risks and track metrics
  • Is proficient using SAP, MS Office systems and other data management

Benefits

  • Benefits
  • Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
  • Life Insurance and Disability 
  • Grace Wellness Program
  • Flexible Workplace 
  • Retirement Plans  
  • 401(k) Company Match
  • Paid Vacation and Holidays
  • Parental Leave 
  • Tuition Reimbursement 
  • Company Donation Match Program
  • U.S. Employee Benefits Summary (grace.com)

Grace is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. Please, no phone calls or emails. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Grace via email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of Grace. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Grace as a result of the referral or through other means.


Nearest Major Market: Baton Rouge