Chemical Operator

Synthomer•Chester, PA

20h

About The Position

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. What are we looking for? A Chemical Operator who will be responsible for unsupervised safe operation of polymer reaction processes. In this role, this operator may also be called upon to perform filtering operations and transfer materials to containers (drums, totes) or bulk storage (storage tanks, tank trucks or rail cars). Flexibility to work any shift is highly desired!

Requirements

Computer skills
Ability and willingness to perform general, routine maintenance
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms.
Must regularly lift up to 50 pounds and move (with a hand truck) up to 550 pounds.
Employees must be physically able to and pass annually, a respirator fit test, and be prepared (i.e., clean-shaven) to don a respirator when required by work conditions and/or during an emergency response incident.
High School diploma or equivalent plus 2 years related experience in Chemical Industry.

Nice To Haves

5+ years’ experience as an Operator
Associates Degree in Science
Flexibility in shift availability is a plus.

Responsibilities

Operate the control systems, including both manual control of system inputs as well as the monitoring of automatic processes
Follow detailed operating procedures to monitor multiple reaction processes unsupervised and accurately document all requested information for batch completion, including on batch guides, transfer logs, and storage logs.
Monitor critical process information and understand system capabilities and limits, including how to recalculate and adjust parameters to meet desired outcomes.
Understand chemical hazards and know key raw material incompatibilities to avoid contamination
Immediately report any problems, issues, or significant production deviations to the crew lead and supervisor
Complete all training and attend all meetings as required by the job function, which may include but is not limited to daily shift change, routine safety meetings, or other plant communication
Safely operate forklifts to transport material
Safely and accurately handle hoses, connections, and manifolds to transfer products through the facility
Understand the operation of supporting production equipment, such as scales, meters, pumps, filters, homogenizers, and heat exchangers as needed.
Participate in plant improvement teams to promote safety or lean manufacturing

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)
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