Administrative Specialist

At Dow, we believe in putting people first and we’re passionate about delivering integrity, respect and safety to our customers, our employees and the planet.  

Our people are at the heart of our solutions. They reflect the communities we live in and the world where we do business. Their diversity is our strength. We’re a community of relentless problem solvers that offers the daily opportunity to contribute with your perspective, transform industries and shape the future. Our purpose is simple - to deliver a sustainable future for the world through science and collaboration. If you’re looking for a challenge and meaningful role, you’re in the right place. 

About You and This Role:

Dow has an exciting and rewarding opportunity for an Administrative Specialist supporting the Functional Polymer R&D group at our Freeport, TX site. This includes the Global Post Reactor Extrusion & Processing R&D group, Elastomer Product R&D group & Specialty Lab R&D group.

You will provide general administrative support to leaders or department. You will exercise discretion and independent judgement in managing flow of work.  You will be required to have full proficiency gained through job-related training and on-the-job experience to perform a range of tasks under limited supervision. 

Responsibilities:

• Provide a wide variety of professional administrative support under limited direction to leaders, colleagues, or groups in the organization. 
• Calendar management and support for leaders and senior technical staff. Schedules meetings and proactively resolve calendar conflicts.
• Under limited direction, is competent in scheduling meetings, booking conference rooms, ordering food/drink, and managing the visitor process. May attend meetings to assist with presenting materials or taking notes. 
• Under limited direction, ensures communications flow properly utilizing knowledge of business / function’s organization structure and overall Dow processes. 
• Takes ownership in their work. Demonstrates good problem-solving skills. Capable of prioritizing competing requests successfully and multi-tasking. Demonstrates comfort and skill when using technology. Strong organization and time management skills. Good planning skills and ability to anticipate needed resources. Able to adapt to change. 
• Demonstrates good problem-solving skills. Good team player and a fixer. Helps troubleshoot issues and serves as a point person for questions or guidance. May act as department focal point with external vendors, service providers, etc. 
• Arranges domestic and international business travel and prepares travel itinerary. Books flights, cars, makes hotel and restaurant reservations. 
• Continuous improvement within work processes and systems. 
• Maintaining and adding documents into SharePoint sites and Teams. Responsible for processing and maintaining up-to-date personnel information (e.g. distribution lists, file servers) Acts as the technical office equipment focal point to enable daily effectiveness. 
• Completes expense reports for self and others and submits on behalf of leader and/or team. Monitor and track expenses against budgets; resolve discrepancies and provide reports to cost center owner or budget manager. 
• May act as a workgroup safety warden and communicate safety messages to workgroup including safety training reports.
• Own and manage the work group SharePoint.
• Capital project administrator for the work groups.
• Support purchase requisitions for Functional Polymers TX work groups.
• Process non-PO invoice payments via voucher system
• Process and issue visitor badges, focal point for the first floor of the building.
• Participates as an active team member on entire projects and can complete projects independently. 
• Serves as recruiting admin for the Functional Polymer R&D in TX and assist leaders with on-boarding of new employees.
• Finds ways to improve project/team efficiency. 
• Works with minimal direction to produce quality results. Overcomes obstacles to complete projects. 
• Independently initiates activities that contribute to the achievement of team goals. Seizes opportunities in a responsive manner. 
• Has a bias for action. Maintains productivity during times of change. 
• Builds appropriate rapport and effective relationships within Dow. 
• Understands and responds to others’ concerns. Able to compile diverse opinions to help resolve issues. Targets written and verbal communications to difference audiences clearly and concisely. 
• Alerts others who are affected by his/her work when or before problems arise. Serve as a helpful and positive presence in the workplace.  
• Independently understands and contributes to the goals of the team and their role within