Director of Global Operations – Valmet, Analytical Products & Integration (API) Business Unit

Valmet’s Analytical Products & Integration (API) Business Unit is seeking a highly accomplished Global Director of Operations to lead worldwide operations, product delivery, and project execution for Valmet’s analytical measurement technologies and solutions —including the company’s flagship, patented Maxum II Online Process Gas Chromatograph (GC). This role requires a uniquely deep blend of technical chemistry expertise, online process analyzer engineering, petrochemical process knowledge, systems integration understanding, and global operational leadership.

The successful candidate will be 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. They will also bring extensive experience directly supporting, deploying, and optimizing process GC and analyzer solutions serving oil and chemical companies globally.

Key Responsibilities

Global Operational Leadership

• 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.

Technical Leadership – Maxum II GC & Analytical Technologies

• 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.

Industry, Application & Process Expertise

• 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.

Customer & Market Engagement

• 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.

Required Technical Expertise

Candidates must demonstrate extensive, hands-on expertise in the following areas:

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.

Valmet Maxum II GC – Advanced-Level Expertise