Chemical Process Operator

Gower Chemicals are recruiting for another Chemical Process Operator to join their small production team at the Sherburn-in-Elmet facility. The facilities staff has grown from 3 in 2017 to what will now be 9 in 2023.

The facility is an Upper Tier COMAH site and such is managed with strict safety and operational constraints as well as compliance with ISO 9001 Quality standards. The company also operates to ISO 45001 Health & Safety Standards

This role is a Monday to Friday day shift pattern, shared across two small teams. Shift A: 6am-2pm and Shift B: 10am-6pm alternating weeks, some flexibility is required to operate outside of these hours if business demands dictate.

The facility is relatively new and unique of its type in the UK and involves the receipt, dilution and repackaging of hydrofluoric acid. Raw materials and finished goods are packaged and handled in containers between 5-1000 litres or bulk tanks up to 20,000litres. Finished goods are dispatched in the UK as well as exported globally direct from the site.

A high standard of attention to detail, proactive attitude to safety and FLT competence are required. Time served experience or familiarity with high hazard chemicals or high hazard process environment is desired, inclusive of liquids handling, packaging and tanker work.

Previous applicants from most recent advertisement in January 2023 need not apply, your application is recorded.

Purpose of Role

· Follow written and verbal instructions to safely and efficiently operate the plant, equipment, other site services and vehicle loading/unloading activities

· Identify and have input with ideas for Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ) and efficiency improvements in areas of work activity as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

· Effectively and accurately communicate with colleagues within the productions team and other functions within the Gower Chemicals business.

· To be accountable and responsible for own health and safety and for those around them who could be affected by their actions.

· To ensure that safe methods of work are maintained and site specific SHEQ standards are adhered to, this includes the relevant risk identification and assessment, permit to work and incident reporting. Understanding the consequences for not paying attention to detail and not following instructions fully.

· Make routine decisions on plant and site services operations, relevant to knowledge and experience, whilst following procedures and instructions. Non-routine decisions are usually made with referral to Process Team Leader or Site Manager.

· Effectively plan and organise work and materials as instructed by Process Team Leader

· Where qualified, competent, and authorised to do so, train and coach new recruits.

· Where qualified, competent, and authorised to do so, undertake maintenance activities specific to plant.

· Undertake plant specific analytical testing as required for production activities.

· Identify and respond accordingly to emergency situations whilst following emergency procedures.

Specific Duties

· Liaise with Process Team Leader regarding Sherburn production activities.

· Liaise with Process Team Leader/Site Manager with regards to site SHEQ matters.

· Organise empty containers and packaged stocks under the direction of Process Team Leader.

· Locate stocks within the yard/warehouse such that they are safely accessible and well organised.

· Undertake vehicle loading/unloading activities under the direction of Process Team Leader

· Perform production activity tasks as directed by Process Team Leader. (i.e. dilution, filling, ISO Tanks etc.)

· Act as the stand in site contact in the absence or unavailability of Team leader/Site Manager.

· Perform daily, weekly & monthly safety checks and other scheduled tasks, as directed by Team Leader.

· Assist with opening up and securing the site at the beginning and end of shift.

· Where requested provide input to procedures, production developments, projects, and improvements.

· Attend training internally/externally to aid further development of the job role.

· Travel to customer/supplier if required to improve and support training/knowledgebase.

- Appointed First Aider.

- Appointed Fire Marshal.

- FLT user

- Banksman

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

· Understand relevant processes, chemistry and equipment required to undertake production activities.

· Understand relevant policies, procedures and instructions for site operations.

· Understand computer and software systems which control plant processes (i.e. Windows/SCADA)

· Understand importance of working instructions and identifying improvements within them

· Work well in a small team and interacting effectively with others.

· Record and communicate data accurately; verbally, written or digitally with computer systems.

· Identify and solve problems that arise from plant operations.

· Appropriate knowledge and capabilities to perform maintenance and analysis activities.

Education/Training required for or developed within the role

· Relevant plant operations NVQ or City & Guilds or equivalent demonstrable work experience

· Counterbalance FLT Certificate or equivalent evidence of competence (i.e. previous in-house training)

· Appointed First Aider (Emergency First Aid at Work). Training provided.

· Appointed Fire Marshal. Training provided

Use and maintenance of air-fed PPE/RPE. Training provided

Salary begins at £29.7k and rises to £33k after training period.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: Up to £33,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Company pension
• On-site parking

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• No weekends

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Sherburn in Elmet LS25 6ES: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Application question(s):

• Have you any experience with hazardous substances or chemicals from previous or current Process Operations? If yes please summarise your experience.
• Do you have any notice period to serve, what is your availability to start?
• Do you have experience with pumping and pipework systems? If yes, please summarise your experience.
• Are you now or have you previously worked on a COMAH site. If yes, please state Lower or Upper Tier and type of work.
• Why are you looking for employment? What attributes can you offer to Gower Chemicals, operating a high hazard chemical site?

Experience:

• Chemical Process Plant Operations: 3 years (required)
• FLT: 1 year (preferred)

Language:

• English (required)

Licence/Certification:

• Forklift Certificate (in house or private) (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: One location