Lead Technician

Wolviston Management Services; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Wolviston Management Services are supporting a highly innovative organisation in the chemical sector to appoint a Lead Technician. The role is based in a COMAH-regulated environment where safety, operational excellence and continuous improvement are central.

You will lead on shift with the Production Team Leader’s guidance, overseeing plant operations, supporting team performance and ensuring regulatory compliance. The position offers hands-on leadership and a clear development path.

Qualifications

• Leadership experience in a technical/operational role is essential.
• Strong fault-finding, problem-solving and decision-making abilities are required.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills are important for shift leadership.
• Experience working in high-hazard or COMAH-regulated environments is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day plant operations and ensure safe, compliant performance.
• Act as senior technical authority on shift; lead troubleshooting and resolve process deviations.
• Promote a strong safety culture aligned to COMAH and site standards.
• Prepare and issue Permits to Work (PTW) and carry out LOTO isolations.
• Coach and develop operators to enhance team capability and performance.
• Support development and continuous improvement of SOPs.
• Collaborate with engineering, maintenance and EHS teams to resolve issues.
• Lead Level 1 maintenance activities and fault finding across process equipment.
• Conduct safety audits and support environmental/compliance activities.
• Deputise for the Production Team Leader when required.

Skills

Leadership

Fault finding

Problem solving

Communication

Team development

Education

Process Operations qualification Level 2/3

Tools

PTW systems

LOTO systems

Job description

Opportunity

Wolviston Management Services are supporting a highly innovative organisation within the chemical sector in the appointment of a Lead Technician. This is an excellent opportunity to join a technically driven, COMAH-regulated environment, where safety, operational excellence and continuous improvement are at the heart of everything they do.

The Role

Working closely with the Production Team Leader, you will take a hands‑on leadership role in overseeing plant operations, supporting team performance and ensuring full compliance with process safety and regulatory standards.

You will be responsible for:

• Supporting day‑to‑day production activities to ensure safe, efficient and compliant plant operation
• Acting as the senior technical authority on shift, leading troubleshooting and resolving process deviations
• Promoting a strong safety culture aligned to COMAH and site standards
• Preparing and issuing Permits to Work (PTW) and carrying out LOTO isolations
• Coaching and developing operators to drive team capability and performance
• Supporting the development and continuous improvement of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Collaborating with engineering, maintenance and EHS teams to resolve operational challenges
• Leading Level 1 maintenance activities and fault finding across process equipment
• Conducting safety audits and supporting environmental and compliance activities
• Deputising for the Production Team Leader when required

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure safe, compliant and efficient execution of all production activities
• Maintain strict adherence to PTW, LOTO and process safety systems
• Drive plant reliability, uptime and operational performance
• Lead proactive problem solving and continuous improvement initiatives
• Support business growth and the development of new operational areas

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience within chemical manufacturing or high-hazard process industries
• Ideally 5+ years' experience in a similar operational role
• Relevant Process Operations qualification (Level 2/3 or equivalent)
• Strong working knowledge of Permit to Work and LOTO systems
• Experience operating within a COMAH environment (desirable)
• Demonstrable leadership and team development capability
• Strong fault-finding, problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Excellent communication and organisational ability
• Flexible approach to working continental shift patterns
• FLT licence is advantageous but not essential

Why Apply?

• Opportunity to join a forward-thinking, growing organisation
• Work within a highly technical and safety-led environment
• Play a key role in driving operational performance and improvement
• Genuine opportunity for development and progression