Process Chemist

One of our client, a chemical company, is looking for a Process Chemist to join their team on a contract basis.

This is initially for a year contract.

Job overview:

To develop, evaluate and scale-up chemical processes for new and existing products in order to establish or improve manufacturing capability, and where appropriate to provide first line technical support to manufacturing plants in order to improve their operation and Supply Chain contribution.

Responsibilities:

• Manage activities in compliance with site, company and regulatory requirements, eg SI's, HSE policy and standards, COMAH (Health and Safety Executive), PPC (SEPA) etc. Use knowledge and experience to improve ways of working safely in conjunction with Dept Safety Leadership.

• Plan and carry out chemical process development work on new and existing processes in the laboratory to meet development targets on quality, cost, operability, productivity and HSE impact as agreed with the Senior Process Chemist, Technical Lead or Principal Process Chemist.

• Advise manufacturing personnel, as delegated by Senior Process Chemist or Principal Process Chemist, and carry out laboratory work to assist in the resolution of manufacturing process problems in order to permit restoration of satisfactory process operation and continued improvement of production performance.

• Prepare experimental programmes, in consultation with plant personnel and HSE experts, and take part in appropriate on-plant supervision, to permit safe and effective trials of process modifications or scale-up studies on semi-technical or full scale.

• Communicate with other technical functions; analytical, process engineers, formulation, manufacturing and SHE functions to exchange information and results to assist in progressing development work.

• Determine the best method, in consultation with Senior or Principal Process Chemist, and prepare representative samples of new products or the product from process modifications.

• Record all work in Electronic Laboratory Notebooks and prepare for approval programme memoranda and the appropriate sections of technical reports and memoranda to disseminate and record the results and conclusions of laboratory and plant work.

• Train new starters in laboratory procedures, use of equipment and safety and hygiene standards and where appropriate manage/monitor their performance to ensure maximum contribution.

Requirements:

• Educated to HNC standard or equivalent in chemistry.
• HS&E: knowledge and application of departmental systems (eg COSHH, experimental risk assessment, safety procedures).
• Laboratory/analytical: comprehensive experience and knowledge.
• Quality: awareness and application of appropriate procedures and work instructions.
• Familiar with literature searching and the use of library information systems.
• Good skills in standard computing packages.
• Comprehensive practical experience and knowledge of the work practices, procedures and equipment required to carry out process development activities.
• Ability to work in multi-functional groups, primarily within T&E and site personnel.
• Problem solving: ability to define and analyse problems and propose solutions, and to recognise deviation from the expected and to take proactive action to understand and address.
• Planning/organisation: ability to plan own work and that of more junior members of staff > 2 weeks.
• Communication: ability to convey information verbally, in writing or by presentation.
• Analytical Thinking: Ability to break down problems, analyse data and produce solutions.
• Ability to learn: Quickly understanding and applying information, concepts and strategies
• Thoroughness: in completing work and achieving accuracy.
• Results Orientation: Focusing attention on the achievement of desired results.
• Team working: constructive cooperation in the laboratory environment and interaction with other groups (eg other T&E, QA, analytical).