Distillation Control Analyst

Treatt Plc; West Stow; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary annual bonus

BUPA medical and dental schemes

Pension scheme with 9% employer contr

Life assurance

Group income protection

Generous holiday entitlement

Job summary

Treatt Plc in Bury St. Edmunds is seeking a Distillation Control Analyst to monitor distillation processes, troubleshoot in real time, and guide operators across sites. The role requires strong analytical skills and experience with GC/HPLC techniques.

You will join a global team with a focus on process improvements, safety, and quality while working 40 hours/week on a rotating shift pattern. Competitive benefits apply.

Qualifications

• Degree in a science-based discipline with a strong analytical background.
• Hands-on distillation experience is highly valued.
• Willingness to work rotating shifts and collaborate cross-functionally.

Responsibilities

• Carry out process control analysis by monitoring production distillations and provide technical advice.
• Independently analyse materials using GC, GC-MS, HPLC, sensory and organoleptic analyses.
• Investigate raw material suitability before distillation to set guidelines/specifications.
• Issue and update process instructions to production to ensure safety, quality and performance.
• Participate in daily distillation meetings to coordinate sampling and analysis.
• Create trial blends, test against specifications, and advise on finished bulks.
• Monitor and track global KPIs for distillation plants.
• Support Process Development with scale-ups, commissioning and validations.
• Contribute to continuous improvement projects in Process Control.

Skills

Science degree

Distillation knowledge

Teamwork

Problem solving

Education

University degree in Chemistry/Analytical Science

Tools

Gas Chromatography (GC)

GC-MS

Headspace Analysis

HPLC

Sensory analysis

Organoleptic analysis

Refractive index

Optical rotation

Job description

Job title: Distillation Control Analyst

Reporting to: Global Distillation Control Team Leader

Location: Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk

Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday on a rotating weekly shift pattern

Early shift: 06:00 – 14:00

Late shift: 13:45 – 21:45

The Opportunity

The objective of this role is to monitor all distillation processes and advise where necessary. To keep all processes running smoothly by troubleshooting where needed and analysing all fractions in real time as well as being the technical guide for the distillation operators, this includes troubleshooting issues and advising process improvements where relevant.

What it’s like to work here

We’ve been making the world taste better since 1886 and sell over 3000 products in more than 90 countries, but we’re only just getting started. We’re on an exciting journey and have ambitious plans to become the indispensable partner of choice for the world’s leading flavour and fragrance houses, beverage and consumer brands. You can find out more about our exciting organisation here: TREATT | About Treatt the trusted global ingredients manufacturer

On joining Treatt, you’ll become one of over 400 international experts, working together to collectively surprise and delight our customers. Nothing is more important to us than the happiness of our people as without them, we’d never succeed.

We think Treatt’s a great place to work, but don’t just take our word for it:

“Everyone wants your feedback and opinion; it feels like a place of study where nurturing and encouragement are the standard. It is very clear the hard work that goes into providing excellence for customers, but it is also very apparent that managers have the same goals for helping us all to progress.”

“Joining my close and supportive team was the most enjoyable way to gain more skills and increase my knowledge”

“Treatt creates an environment to help you be the best you can, with no two days the same and opportunities always available to help you learn and develop. The people and the culture create a fantastic company to be part of”

What you’ll be doing

The responsibilities of this role include but are not limited to:

• Carry out process control analysis by monitoring production distillations at both of our sites, giving technical advice as the distillations proceed by dedicated and ‘rapid response’ analysis of the fractions




• Independently analyse materials using predominantly Gas Chromatography (including GCMS & Headspace Analysis), High-Performance Liquid Chromatography, sensory and organoleptic analysis, as well as physical measurements (such as refractive index, optical rotation and density)




• Investigate the suitability of raw materials for their proposed purpose before a distillation has started to avoid unforeseen problems during a distillation, with a view to setting raw material guidelines/specifications




• Issue and update process instructions to the production team, to ensure processes are run effectively while maintaining safety, quality, and operational performance




• Partake in and facilitate daily distillation meetings with each of our sites, to coordinate timely sample submission and analysis at each site for tracking processes




• Make up trial blends from stock, test against the specification, adjust where necessary and make final recommendations on finished bulks to the bulking and planning department




• Monitor and track the team’s global KPIs for each of our distillation plants




• Support the Process Development team with scale-ups, including commissioning activities and validations




• Perform project work to contribute to continuous improvement in the Process Control Department (e.g. suggestions on improvements in efficiency, cost cutting, improvements in effectiveness of operations)




• Research historical distillation records and analysis results of our manufactured products to help solve problems and identify trends




• Troubleshoot issues and problem solve within all aspects of the role




• Carry out regular calibration and maintenance of the measuring instruments, such as a GC system, as prescribed by the working practices in the laboratory




• Ensure that the working area in the laboratory is maintained in a clean and orderly condition under GLP guidelines, and that any hazard or potential hazard is reported to the Global Distillation Control Team Leader




• Maintain your own and others health and safety at all times, ensuring a safe working environment




• Perform such other tasks as are consistent with the general description

What we’re looking for

We’re looking for a motivated individual with a degree in a science-based discipline who thrives in an environment that values progress, teamwork, and dedication. That said, if you have relevant hands‑on experience but no formal degree, we’d still love to hear from you. Previous experience in a similar role and/or knowledge of distillation is a bonus—but not a requirement. We’re more interested in your attitude and potential, and we’re ready to support the right person in developing the necessary skills.

We want you to genuinely enjoy your work and bring that positive energy to the job every day—whatever the task. You’ll need to be a team player who’s not afraid to bring their own personality to the table but also be comfortable working independently within your shift. Being personable, friendly, and supportive is essential, as you’ll collaborate daily with colleagues across departments and all levels of seniority.

What we’ll do for you

We offer an excellent package which includes a competitive salary; a generous holiday entitlement as well as the opportunity to purchase additional holiday, we also offer a discretionary annual bonus, BUPA medical and dental schemes, pension scheme with 9% employer contribution, life assurance and group income protection.

With the encouragement and development you need, we help you to become your ultimate you. Beyond building a successful career, we also support the wishes and ambitions of our staff outside of the office in achieving a health work/life balance - the wellbeing of our staff is paramount to us, which we actively promote and support by regularly delivering a variety of wellbeing initiatives and offering responsibility based flexibility. There will also be opportunities to be actively involved in community and charity projects and to take part in numerous subsidized social events.

Polite Notice

We politely request that we are not contacted by any recruitment agencies. We have a preferred supplier list and high volumes of speculative calls from agencies negatively impact upon the efficiency of our business. Please help us to maintain the highest levels of customer service by respecting our wishes.