APC Subject Matter Expert

Square One Resources; England; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking an APC Subject Matter Expert (SME) to enhance productivity and quality in the pulp and paper industry. The role requires leading the design and implementation of advanced process control solutions. Successful candidates will have a background in process control systems and substantial experience in the pulp & paper industry. This role offers a 12-month contract, with a negotiable salary based on experience.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in process control within the pulp & paper, chemicals, or process manufacturing sector.
• Proven experience with APC platforms.
• Strong understanding of DCS systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of advanced process control solutions.
• Develop and deploy APC applications to optimize production.
• Collaborate with engineers to identify APC opportunities.

Skills

Process control systems

Data analytics tools (MATLAB, Python)

DCS systems (ABB, Honeywell, Emerson, Siemens)

PID tuning

Leadership and mentoring

Education

Bachelor or Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering

Degree in Control Systems or Process Automation

Tools

Aspen DMCplus

Honeywell Profit Controller

Yokogawa APC

MATLAB

OSIsoft PI

Job description

Job Title: APC Subject Matter Expert
Location: UK based (European travel required)
Salary/Rate: Negotiable depending on experience
Start Date: December 2025
Job Type: 12 Month contract (Inside IR35)

Introduction

We are looking for an APC Subject Matter Expert (SME) with deep technical expertise in process control systems, optimisation, and performance improvement within the pulp and paper industry. The APC SME will lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of advanced process control solutions to enhance productivity, quality, and energy efficiency across multiple production lines (e.g., pulp mills, recovery boilers, paper machines, and bleaching processes).

APC Strategy & Implementation

• Develop, configure, and deploy Advanced Process Control (APC) applications to optimize production, energy usage, and process stability.
• Integrate APC solutions with DCS, PLC, and MES systems.
• Collaborate with operations and process engineers to identify opportunities for APC application across pulp, recovery, and paper sections.
• Support model predictive control (MPC) and real-time optimisation (RTO) strategies.

Process Optimisation

• Analyse process data using statistical and AI/ML-based tools to identify process inefficiencies.
• Implement and fine-tune soft sensors, inferential models, and control algorithms for critical parameters (e.g., consistency, brightness, moisture, basis weight).
• Drive continuous improvement projects to enhance yield, reduce variability, and lower operating costs.

Technical Expertise & Support

• Serve as the subject matter expert for APC-related technologies, tools, and best practices.
• Provide training and mentorship to plant engineers and control room operators.
• Troubleshoot APC and DCS performance issues, collaborating with automation and IT teams.

Collaboration & Governance

• Partner with process, IT, and data analytics teams to ensure APC systems align with digital manufacturing goals.
• Establish KPIs and governance frameworks for APC performance monitoring.
• Support corporate digital transformation initiatives (e.g., Industry 4.0, predictive control, and smart manufacturing).

Required Skills/Experience

• Bachelor or Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Instrumentation, Control Systems, or Process Automation.
• Extensive experience in process control within the pulp & paper, chemicals, or process manufacturing sector.
• Proven experience with APC platforms (e.g., Aspen DMCplus, Honeywell Profit Controller, Yokogawa APC, ABB, or equivalent).
• Strong understanding of DCS systems (ABB, Honeywell, Emerson, or Siemens).
• Expertise in PID tuning, model-based control, and dynamic process modelling.
• Proficiency in data analytics tools (e.g., MATLAB, Python, OSIsoft PI, Seeq).

If you are interested in this opportunity, please apply now with your updated CV in Microsoft Word/PDF format.

Disclaimer

Notwithstanding any guidelines given to level of experience sought, we will consider candidates from outside this range if they can demonstrate the necessary competencies.
Square One is acting as both an employment agency and an employment business, and is an equal opportunities recruitment business. Square One embraces diversity and will treat everyone equally. Please see our website for our full diversity statement.