Technical Plant Manager

Job Description

About the job

Synthomer is an innovative and differentiated global leader in sustainable polymer solutions. The Group is one of the world’s foremost suppliers of water based polymers and has leadership positions in many markets. Our polymers help customers create innovative new products and enhance the performance of existing products in key industries such as coatings, construction, adhesives, textiles, paper and nitrile medical gloves.With the acquisition of Eastman Adhesive Resins in 2022 and Omnova Solutions in 2020, Synthomer grew its global manufacturing network, expanded its product portfolio and boosted its geographical presence, allowing it to better serve over 6000 customers around the world. Synthomer has its operational headquarters in London, UK, and provides customer-focused services from regional centres in Harlow, UK; Marl, Germany; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Beachwood, Ohio, USA. It employs more than 5000 employees across over 40 sites and is listed on the London Stock Exchange.Purpose of roleDevelop and implement a technical strategy and technical improvements for the Harlow production processes in line with the site’s manufacturing, safety and quality strategies and the overall company targets. Deliver OEE improvement by identification and remediation of technical / plant issues – primarily rate and quality losses. Site Responsible Process Safety Manager. As a member of the Site Leadership Team the incumbent will be fully involved in developing and subsequent delivery of the Site Manufacturing Strategy.Main ResponsibilitiesSHE

• Act as Responsible Manager for recipe changes
• Act as responsible manager for process safety on site
• Provide year round ad-hoc on call cover support for temporary defeat process
• Interact with competent authorities such as the HSE and develop and execute plans / projects to close actions raised
• Act as SDPV for permits on site as necessary
• Support site process confirmation programme by performing monthly SLT routines
• Provide emergency manager on call (dry duty) support for site (1 in 6 weeks maximum frequency), must be within 2 hours of the site

PROCESSES

• Ensure full MoC, PTW and other SHE requirements for technical processes in various business environments
• Improve the sites continuous improvement process by ensuring active involvement from all stakeholders
• Act as responsible manager for the site e-MoC system, Document Controller processes
• Own RCA process for site
• Support the sites MANEX processes by taking the lead role for SAQ’s NPI -new , Process Capability, Project Excellence

STRATEGY

• Help create and support the Harlow Manufacturing Strategy actively in developing improved production processes on the Harlow Site
• Support the Harlow Leadership Team in developing and delivering the Site Value Gap
• Develop and support the sites CAPEX project portfolio

MANAGEMENT ANLEADERSHIP

• Manage and develop junior technical employees / undergraduates on ad-hoc basis
• Drive process team to make improvements focusing on “more, safer, better” output of plant
• Act as pillar owner for project excellence on site to manage a portfolio of projects directly / indirectly
• Champion and engage in lean process improvement tools incl. leading 5S, RCPS and PD-board meetings
• Provide technical competency training and assessments where required
• Lead / act as commissioning manager for to major changes to plant
• Provide performance development support and conduct performance evaluations for staff on site
• Own & support new product introduction processes on site
• Own process capability pillar – lead and support LEAN Six Sigma & continuous improvement activities on site

SITE RUNNING / ROUTINES /SUPPORT

• Give technical support to production when required
• Take the lead in technical investigations resulting from incidents or customer complaints
• Participate in IBP process
• Support site audit program as ISO trained internal auditor

Essential Competences

• Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering or similar field with 5 years industrial experience
• Experience in quality management / environment in a manufacturing or production environment
• Understanding of SHE management systems & safety protocols on a COMAH facility
• Strong knowledge of quality management principles & production processes in a chemical manufacturing environment
• Excellent leadership, interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to analyse data and develop action plans to address quality / production and engineering issues
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritise effectively
• Excellent problem solving and analytical skills
• Lean 6 sigma black belt

Why Synthomer?We are ambitious!We have grown significantly – both organically and inorganically. We are a FTSE 250 listed company, 22% of our revenue comes from newly commercialized products, and we’re recognized in the top-quartile for chemicals manufacturing safety.We believe in high challenge, high support!We are keen to let you contribute in real roles from day 1. We expect a lot, but offer a lot, too. This includes onboarding, induction and learning events, networking opportunities, mentoring and personal development planning. So, be up for an inspiring long-term career adventure.We personalize our approach to development!At Synthomer, you won’t find generic career tracks or development programs but rather a one-size-fits-one approach to employee development. We’ll partner with you to ensure you have the right experiences that build your capabilities and accelerate your career growth.