Valmet · 16 hours ago
Director of Global Operations – Valmet, Analytical Products & Integration (API) Business Unit
Houston, TX
Full-time
Hybrid
Director/Executive
15+ years expValmet is seeking a highly accomplished Global Director of Operations to lead worldwide operations for their Analytical Products & Integration (API) Business Unit. This role involves overseeing product delivery and project execution, ensuring alignment with Valmet’s strategic goals while providing technical leadership in analytical measurement technologies.
Industrial AutomationManufacturingMechanical Engineering
Responsibilities
Direct all global operations for the Analytical Products & Integration (API) business unit, ensuring alignment with Valmet’s strategic, financial, and technological goals
Responsible for complete value chain from front end quotations through product and project execution and delivery
Oversee global application development, GC and system engineering, production, project management, product support, supply chain, and testing
Implement standardized processes to assure product quality, regulatory compliance, market competitiveness, and customer satisfaction across all regions
Develop and manage global capacity planning, operational KPIs, escalation structures, and continuous improvement programs
Serve as the organization’s executive technical authority for Valmet’s Maxum II Online Process Gas Chromatograph, including deep expertise in: + Column chemistries, detectors, valves, and sample-handling systems + Analytical method development, validation, and optimization + System integration, testing, diagnostics, and troubleshooting + Maxum II hardware architecture, modular design, oven technologies, electronics, and I/O subsystems + Maxum II software, networking, and application configuration
Provide technical direction to the operations team while liaising with product management, R&D, and other disciplines on emerging technologies, application enhancements, and competitive differentiation in process analytics
Act as subject matter expert on midstream and downstream petrochemical, refining, gas processing, and chemical manufacturing processes, including: + Steam cracking, reforming, alkylation, polymerization, aromatics, syngas, LNG, sulfur recovery, and other major unit operations + Gas composition monitoring, hydrocarbon dewpoint control, purity certification, environmental emissions, and safety-related measurements + Complex process‐license requirements from licensors such as Honeywell UOP, Shell, BASF, Linde, Dow, ExxonMobil, Chevron, Sabic, Ineos, and others
Translate process requirements into analyzer system designs, GC applications, and measurement strategies to meet customer and licensor specifications
Serve as the senior technical and operational interface for Valmet Analytical Products & Integration and respective global oil & gas and chemical customer partners
Support key accounts with application expertise, root-cause analysis, continuous improvement recommendations, preferred standards, and long-term analytical strategies
Support customer-facing initiatives for technology innovation, value differentiation, market competitiveness, product upgrades, and migration plans
Collaborate with global sales, business development, product management, R&D, and executive leadership to expand Valmet’s global footprint in the focused market areas
Qualification
Required
Deep blend of technical chemistry expertise, online process analyzer engineering, petrochemical process knowledge, systems integration understanding, and global operational leadership
Recognized as an industry expert in online process gas chromatography, online process analyzer solutions, and advanced measurement technologies used in midstream and downstream chemical, petrochemical, and refining facilities
Extensive experience directly supporting, deploying, and optimizing process GC and analyzer solutions serving oil and chemical companies globally
Direct all global operations for the Analytical Products & Integration (API) business unit, ensuring alignment with Valmet's strategic, financial, and technological goals
Responsible for complete value chain from front end quotations through product and project execution and delivery
Oversee global application development, GC and system engineering, production, project management, product support, supply chain, and testing
Implement standardized processes to assure product quality, regulatory compliance, market competitiveness, and customer satisfaction across all regions
Develop and manage global capacity planning, operational KPIs, escalation structures, and continuous improvement programs
Serve as the organization's executive technical authority for Valmet's Maxum II Online Process Gas Chromatograph
Expertise in column chemistries, detectors, valves, and sample-handling systems
Expertise in analytical method development, validation, and optimization
Expertise in system integration, testing, diagnostics, and troubleshooting
Expertise in Maxum II hardware architecture, modular design, oven technologies, electronics, and I/O subsystems
Expertise in Maxum II software, networking, and application configuration
Act as subject matter expert on midstream and downstream petrochemical, refining, gas processing, and chemical manufacturing processes
Translate process requirements into analyzer system designs, GC applications, and measurement strategies to meet customer and licensor specifications
Serve as the senior technical and operational interface for Valmet Analytical Products & Integration and respective global oil & gas and chemical customer partners
Support key accounts with application expertise, root-cause analysis, continuous improvement recommendations, preferred standards, and long-term analytical strategies
Support customer-facing initiatives for technology innovation, value differentiation, market competitiveness, product upgrades, and migration plans
Collaborate with global sales, business development, product management, R&D, and executive leadership to expand Valmet's global footprint in the focused market areas
Demonstrate extensive, hands-on expertise in online process gas chromatography
Extensive experience with online process gas chromatographs, including method development, troubleshooting, and performance optimization
Expert knowledge of hydrocarbon and chemical component separation, advanced separation techniques, and operational chemistries used in GC analytical methods
Deep understanding of process sampling systems, interfaces, network protocols, and global industry standards and requirements
Demonstrated experience with Maxum II GC, or other competitor GC products
Knowledge of hardware, including ovens, columns, detectors (TCD, FID, PDHID, etc.), valve technologies, multiplexing, and modular expansions
In-depth knowledge of GC software platforms, including analytical method configuration, diagnostic systems, smart-maintenance tools, networking & cybersecurity requirements
Proven experience delivering Maxum II applications across refineries, chemical plants, LNG terminals, GTL plants, petrochemical complexes, etc
Ability to diagnose and resolve complex Maxum II issues that require chemical, electrical, mechanical, and systemic understanding
Proven experience in executing global analytical projects, including large-scale mega projects
Broad expertise across process analyzers such as tunable diode laser analyzers (TDL), mass spectrometers, process FTIR/IR/UV, continuous gas analyzers, moisture analyzers, and physical property analyzers
Knowledge of analyzer shelters, integration systems, communications protocols, and plant DCS connectivity
15+ years in process GC, process analytical technologies, or petrochemical/chemical instrumentation engineering
10+ years in global operations leadership or multi-regional technical management roles in both GC and Systems Integration businesses
Proven engagement with major oil companies and chemical producers (e.g., ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell, BP, Sabic, Dow, BASF, Ineos, LyondellBasell, Sinopec, Saudi Aramco)
Demonstrated success leading global engineering, manufacturing, or product delivery teams
Expertise in Lean operations, continuous improvement, cost optimization, and large-scale transformation programs
Strong capability in cross-functional leadership spanning engineering, R&D, quality, supply chain, and customer service
Preferred
B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering, Analytical Chemistry, Chemistry, or related field
Advanced degrees (Masters or PhD) in the above fields are not required, but beneficial
Prior experience with Valmet Maxum II GC or applicable competitor GC products and Systems Integration
Experience leading multi-million-dollar global product lines, solutions businesses, and multi-site operations
Company
Valmet
Valmet is a global developer and supplier of technologies, automation, and services for the pulp, paper, and energy industries.
10001+ employees
H1B Sponsorship
Valmet has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (8)
2024 (4)
2023 (6)
2022 (12)
2021 (7)
2020 (3)
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$1.35BKey Investors
European Investment Bank
2025-12-22Post Ipo Debt
2025-12-12Post Ipo Debt· $440.08M
2025-05-15Post Ipo Debt· $503.64M
Leadership Team
Thomas Hinnerskov
President and CEO
Jon Jested-Rask
Executive Vice President - Tissue
Recent News
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2025-12-24
2025-12-22
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