Chemist

Veolia Environmental Services (Uk) Plc; Preston; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental services company in Preston is seeking a skilled professional to manage chemical waste handling and ensure health and safety compliance. The ideal candidate should possess a relevant qualification in Chemistry and have strong knowledge of chemical hazards. This role offers a competitive salary and benefits, including generous leave and access to health resources.

Benefits

25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays

Company pension scheme

Retail discounts

Access to health resources

24-hour access to virtual GP

Paid day leave for volunteering

Ongoing training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Good knowledge of basic chemical hazards, with accurate risk assessment.

Responsibilities

• Uphold health and safety standards on-site.
• Assist with manual repacking of chemical wastes.
• Manage preparation of outgoing loads under regulations.
• Request prices for disposal and optimize waste streams.
• Process incoming loads efficiently.
• Carry out sampling and testing safely.

Skills

Knowledge of basic chemical hazards

Assessment of risks

Education

HNC/HND in Chemistry or relevant Science

Job description

Job Responsibilities

• Uphold high standards of health and safety in all aspects of the job, by following and enforcing the site's safe systems of work and ensuring best practice is followed in all operational tasks.
• Assist with manual repacking of chemical wastes, including operation of pumps and compactors, and assist with high‑hazard chemical handling.
• Manage preparation of outgoing loads including packaging, labelling and provision of paperwork to WM3/ADR regulations, as well as limited technical assessments of waste, under guidance from the Technical Manager.
• Request prices for disposal and make bookings, while maximising profit from waste streams by consolidation/repacking.
• Carry out the acceptance process of waste into site including non‑conformance reporting, load integrity and compliance with permit.
• Process incoming loads efficiently to meet the goal of one‑hour turnaround for vehicles on site, while reporting non‑conformances and undertaking repacking, checking and coding/re‑labelling of waste before being sent to storage.
• Carry out processing activities such as compatibility testing, production of drum bulking blends, neutralisation of weak acid/alkali materials, repackaging of waste and maintaining site segregation programme.
• Take guidance from Senior Site Chemists and Assistant Manager, and supervise operations in their absence in conjunction with other Site Chemists.
• Ensure that sampling and testing is carried out safely and to a high standard, within the site's procedures/permit.
• Occasional laboratory testing, including gas chromatography, titrations, pH and water analysis, halogen and CV testing.
• Supervise drivers and sub‑contractors' activities where their duties coincide, and work with management to produce job specific risk assessments/Permits to Work.

Essential Requirements

• HNC/HND or higher educated in Chemistry (or relevant Science) – degree preferred.
• Good knowledge of basic chemical hazards, with accurate on‑the‑spot assessment of risks and possible adverse reactions arising from site activities.

Desirable Qualifications

• Health and safety minded, COSHH / IOSH.
• Experience in the waste management industry or chemical industry.

Benefits

• 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Access to our company/people's pension scheme.
• Discounts on everything from groceries to well known retailers.
• Access to a range of resources to support your physical, mental and financial health; so you can lean on us whenever you need to.
• 24 hour access to a virtual GP, 365 days a year, for you and family members in your household.
• One paid day leave every year to volunteer and support your community.
• Ongoing training and development opportunities, allowing you to reach your full potential.

We’re proud to have been named as one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work for three consecutive years in 2023, 2024 and 2025. This consistent recognition reflects our commitment to our people, demonstrating that Veolia is not just transforming the environment, we’re also transforming what it means to have a rewarding, purposeful career. We're dedicated to supporting you throughout your application journey, offering adjustments where reasonable and appropriate. As a proud Disability Confident Employer, we will offer an interview to applicants with a disability or long‑term condition who opt‑in to the Disability Confident scheme, and meet the minimum criteria for our roles. We're also committed to ensuring that all applicants and colleagues receive fair treatment without discrimination on any grounds, aiming to create a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

Apply today, so we can make a difference for generations to come.

Salary: Competitive plus Veolia benefits.