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. Headquartered in London, UK and publicly listed since 1971, we employ approximately 3,900 employees across 5 innovation centres of excellence and more than 29 manufacturing sites in Europe, North America, and Asia. Around 20% of our sales volumes are from new and patent-protected products. Our innovation centres in the UK, Germany, China, Malaysia, and Ohio, USA collaborate closely with customers to develop and enhance products with sustainability benefits. Since 2021, we have held the London Stock Exchange Green Economy Mark, recognizing our contribution to a sustainable, low-carbon economy.

About the role

The Process Engineer will collaborate with the Operations Team to improve the efficiency of the Roebuck manufacturing process through cost reduction, value creation, improved process capability, and process equipment reliability. This role includes process improvement, troubleshooting, project management, and site support of process control systems and equipment. Additional responsibilities involve optimization of mechanical systems and safety-related initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Process Improvement – 75%
  • Support manufacturing in troubleshooting and responding to process upsets.
  • Liaise with R&D to scale up new technologies and processes.
  • Identify and lead projects to:
    • Improve cycle time.
    • Reduce process downtime and cleaning time.
    • Reduce energy usage.
    • Improve process capability.
    • Reduce reactor fouling, yield loss, and filtration time/materials.
• New Product Introductions – 15%
  • Translate lab-scale processes to commercial-scale reactors in collaboration with Synthomer R&D.
  • Write and edit batch recipes, ensuring mistake-proofing through close communication with the Operations Team.
  • Document new product introductions and lead scale-up reviews with the R&D Team.
• Process Control Support – 5%
  • Support routine maintenance, updating, and documentation of the DCS system.
  • Manage the lifecycle of control systems, including forecasting capital needs.
  • Provide programming support for site capital projects.
  • Maintain and improve the site OSI PI deployment.
• Safety / Health / Environmental Improvement – 5%
  • Lead or actively participate in Process Safety Initiatives and other site safety initiatives.
  • Provide engineering support for safety and environmental improvement projects.

Annual goals may include:

• Implementing identified site improvement initiatives (e.g., improving compliance to regulations or adopting new procedures, equipment, or methods).
• Identifying, selling, and championing new improvement ideas.
• Supporting specific equipment and maintenance functions, such as instrumentation, controls, pressure vessels, environmental controls, or electrical systems.
• Participating in or leading initiatives to improve site safety culture and performance.

A Process Engineer at the Roebuck site may be assigned specific responsibilities, such as process improvement or control system management, while also engaging in broader plant operations functions, including safety, process optimization, maintenance troubleshooting, and quality customer fulfillment. This role serves as a pathway to positions of higher responsibility.

Requirements

• Minimum BS in Chemical Engineering or a related technical degree.
• Understanding and support of the site safety culture and improvement efforts.
• More than 3 years of hands-on chemical manufacturing experience preferred; experience in batch emulsion polymer production is a plus.
• Delta V Control System experience preferred.
• Customer focus with the ability to adjust efforts to meet the needs of internal and external customers.
• Ability to employ analytical/statistical tools (e.g., DOE, Six Sigma) in problem resolution and process optimization.
• Skilled in addressing multiple priorities/projects with minimal direction while maintaining focus.
• Energetic, results-oriented, and demonstrated initiative and drive.
• Team-oriented with strong collaboration skills across functional roles to advance site initiatives.
• Communication and leadership skills to lead small work teams.
• Willingness to work outside normal hours and on weekends for project management or start-up.
• Occasional travel may be required.

Other Essential Criteria

• Ability to support and align with business goals by contributing to the Company’s quality objectives.
• Ability to lead and participate in a team environment.
• Ability to wear required safety equipment (e.g., steel-toed shoes, hard hat, safety glasses, goggles, hearing protection, fall protection).
• Ability to respond to calls and solve problems during off-shift hours.
• Must satisfy the Core Competencies for the role.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

• Ability to wear required safety equipment, including steel-toed shoes, hard hat, safety glasses, goggles, hearing protection, and fall protection.
• Frequent use of hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
• Occasional standing, walking, climbing stairs, sitting, stooping, kneeling, or crouching.
• Rare climbing of ladders.
• Occasional lifting and/or moving of up to 20 pounds; rarely up to 55 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

• Occasional exposure to wet and/or humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, and toxic or caustic chemicals.
• Moderately quiet noise level in the work environment.

Benefits

• 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).
• Flexible working options based on role and business needs.
• Learning and development opportunities, including training, online platforms, buddy/mentorship programs, and Internal Synthomer University.
• Wellbeing support, including an employee assistance program (EAP), mental health resources, and wellbeing initiatives.
• Retirement/pension contributions (plans vary by country).
• Culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive.
• Performance culture with global reward and recognition programs.