Process Engineer

Synthomer is a leading supplier of high-performance, highly specialised polymers and ingredients that play vital roles in key sectors such as coatings, construction, adhesives, and health and protection – growing markets that serve billions of end users worldwide. Headquartered in London, UK and publicly listed there since 1971, we employ c.3,900 employees across our 5 innovation centres of excellence and more than 29 manufacturing sites across Europe, North America and Asia. Around 20% of our sales volumes are from new and patent protected products.

At our innovation centres of excellence in the UK, Germany, China, Malaysia and Ohio, USA we collaborate closely with our customers to develop new products and enhance existing ones tailored to their needs, with an increasing range of sustainability benefits. Since 2021, we have been proud holders of the London Stock Exchange Green Economy Mark, which recognises green technology businesses making a significant contribution to a more sustainable, low-carbon economy.

Synthomer plc is a leading supplier of high-performance, highly specialised polymers and ingredients that play vital roles in key sectors such as coatings, construction, adhesives, and health and protection – growing markets that serve billions of end users worldwide. Headquartered in London, UK and publicly listed there since 1971, we employ c.3,900 employees across our 5 innovation centres of excellence and more than 29 manufacturing sites across Europe, North America and Asia. Around 20% of our sales volumes are from new and patent protected products.

At our innovation centres of excellence in the UK, Germany, China, Malaysia and Ohio, USA we collaborate closely with our customers to develop new products and enhance existing ones tailored to their needs, with an increasing range of sustainability benefits. Since 2021, we have been proud holders of the London Stock Exchange Green Economy Mark, which recognises green technology businesses making a significant contribution to a more sustainable, low-carbon economy.

About the Role

As a Process Engineer at Synthomer Harlow, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping and executing technical strategies that enhance production capability, efficiency, and safety. You’ll lead initiatives to improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) by identifying and resolving plant performance issues—particularly those affecting rate and quality—and act as a key deputy to the Technical Plant Manager, supporting critical operations and driving continuous improvement across the site.

🔧 What You’ll Be Leading

Strategic Impact

• Shape and implement technical strategies aligned with site and company goals

• Deliver OEE improvements by tackling rate and quality losses head-on

• Support CAPEX projects from scoping to commissioning

Process Excellence

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives and Six Sigma activities (RFT, DMAIC)

• Facilitate root cause analysis and troubleshoot production challenges

• Represent the Process Team in daily performance reviews

Safety & Compliance

• Act as deputy for process safety and support SHE improvement plans

• Liaise with HSE and other authorities to close out actions

• Support shutdowns and pre-start safety reviews

Leadership & Collaboration

• Mentor junior technical staff and undergraduates

• Champion lean tools like 5S, RCPS, and PD-board meetings

• Collaborate across Process, Maintenance, QC, Production, and Sales

🎯 What You Bring

• Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering (or similar) approx 3 - 5 years industrial experience

• Deep understanding of COMAH, SHE, and process safety systems

• Proven track record in chemical manufacturing environments

• Strong analytical, leadership, and communication skills

• Ability to juggle multiple priorities and drive results

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🤝 Interfaces That Matter - You’ll work closely with:

• Process Team

• Maintenance

• QC

• Production

• Technical Service & Sales

If you're passionate about driving technical excellence and making a real impact at Synthomer Harlow—and you're currently employed by the organisation, but seeking your next big challenge—this could be the opportunity you've been waiting for. Step up, stand out, and help shape the future of our site. We’d love to hear from you.

Synthomer Strategy Video: Michael Willome Synthomer Strategy

“At Synthomer we value the difference everyone brings to work, and we are committed to create a diverse and inclusive workplace, where people are supported to make their best contribution in creating a vibrant and successful business”

🌍 Global Benefits Overview

• 💰 Competitive, market-aligned compensation

• 🎯 Discretionary global bonus scheme

• 📈 Discretionary Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) – for senior positions

• 🚗 Company car or car allowance – varies by region and role

• 🩺 Healthcare – tailored to regional locations

• 👶 Parental leave and family support – maternity, paternity, adoption (aligned with regional policies)

• 🏡 Working options – flexibility where it matters, based on role and business needs

• 📚 Learning & development opportunities – training, online platforms, buddy/mentorship programs, Internal Synthomer University with L&D offers

• 💙 Wellbeing support – employee assistance program (EAP), mental health resources, wellbeing initiatives

• 🌱 Retirement / pension contributions – plans vary by country

• 🤝 Culture of Inclusion – where everyone can thrive

• 🏆 Performance culture, global reward & recognition programmes