Plant Lead - UK

Ascensus Specialties LLC; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

40-hour week (days)

25 days holiday

Pension Contribution

Collaborative culture

Job summary

Wychem, an Ascensus Specialties Company, is seeking a Plant Lead to drive site operations at Stradishall (CAM). Reporting to the Site Director, the role anchors production, quality control, EHS and site management, delivering safe, compliant and high‑performance manufacturing.

You will supervise daily plant operations, monitor process parameters, lead a production team, and push continuous improvement toward Wychem’s Right First Time culture, while collaborating with Quality, Engineering and

Qualifications

• HNC in Chemistry or 3–5 years in chemical/industrial manufacturing.
• Strong grasp of chemical processes, plant SOPs, and safe working protocols in hazardous atmospheres (ATEX/DSEAR).
• Fluent written/spoken English and proficiency in MS Office 365.

Responsibilities

• Supervise daily plant operations to meet production schedules and priorities.
• Monitor process parameters and equipment performance to ensure quality and output.
• Operate process equipment safely and support target output as needed.
• Drive continuous improvement and Right First Time culture.
• Lead EHS/compliance and participate in audits and investigations.

Skills

Fluent English

MS Office 365

Education

HNC in Chemistry

BSc or higher in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering

Job description

Plant Lead - UK

Application Deadline: 30 November 2026

Department: Operations

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Stradishall (CAM)

Reporting To: Site Director

Description

Wychem, an Ascensus Specialties Company, is seeking a high-impact operational leader to join our team. Reporting directly to the Site Director, this pivotal role serves as a core anchor for site operations—driving performance, compliance, and continuous improvement across production, quality control, EHS (Environmental, Health & Safety), and site management processes.

If you thrive in a high-standards specialty chemical environment and want a direct line of impact on site success, this position offers an exceptional opportunity to shape key operational processes.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Oversight & Production Execution

• Supervise Daily Plant Operations: Lead and coordinate chemical manufacturing activities to meet site production schedules, deadlines, and operational priorities.
• Monitor Process Parameters: Track chemical reactions, plant equipment performance, reaction vessels, filters, dryers, and overall operating conditions to ensure quality and output standards.
• Hands-On Operation: Safely operate process equipment and batch production systems as needed to support site continuity and target output.
• Continuous Improvement: Proactively identify workflow efficiencies and manufacturing enhancements to drive Wychem’s "Right First Time" operational culture.

EHS, Compliance & Environmental Stewardship

• Enforce Safety & Environmental Standards: Champion site compliance with company procedures, risk assessments, permits, and safe working practices to protect personnel, plant, and equipment.
• Proactive Hazard Mitigation: Prevent incidents, near misses, and chemical spills through vigilant site oversight, strict adherence to handling requirements, and daily compliance checks.
• Hazardous Chemical Management: Oversee the safe storage, transfer, handling, and disposal of raw materials and chemical reagents in alignment with regulatory guidelines.
• Auditing & Incident Investigation: Lead or support root-cause investigations into process deviations, quality issues, or EHS incidents; participate in internal and external site audits.

Team Leadership, Communication & Training

• People Management: Direct, motivate, and mentor plant operators and production personnel to ensure strong team engagement and performance.
• Training & Competency: Coach and assess operators on standard operating procedures (SOPs), equipment usage, and safety protocols.
• Daily Briefings: Conduct shift handovers, toolbox talks, and operational alignment meetings to keep teams informed and safety-focused.

Quality Control, Documentation & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Batch Documentation: Maintain meticulous, complete, and accurate production logs, batch records, and operational documentation.
• Cross-Department Collaboration: Partner closely with Quality Control, Engineering, Maintenance, Warehouse, R&D, and HSE teams to resolve operational bottlenecks promptly.
• Problem-Solving & Leadership Engagement: Collaborate with senior leadership and site personnel to address operational challenges with a constructive, solution-oriented approach.

General Operational Support

• Housekeeping Standards: Maintain strict workplace housekeeping standards and high operational hygiene across the facility.
• Operational Flexibility: Adapt to evolving site needs by performing additional operational tasks or flexible hours as reasonably requested by line management.
• Other Duties as assigned by the Site Director.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Minimum Qualifications

• Education & Experience: HNC in Chemistry (or related field) OR 3–5 years in chemical/industrial manufacturing.
• Technical & EHS Knowledge: Strong grasp of chemical processes, plant SOPs, equipment, and safe working protocols in hazardous/explosive atmospheres (ATEX/DSEAR).
• Skills: Fluent written/spoken English and proficiency in MS Office 365.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: BSc or higher in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering.
• Experience: 3+ years in fine chemical, API, or pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Physical & Working Environment

• Demands & Lifting: Plant-based role requiring standing, walking, reaching, stooping, operating computers, and lifting up to 25 kg.
• Safety & PPE: Mandatory PPE and adherence to hazardous chemical handling protocols; exposure to plant machinery, sharp tools, and moderate-to-high noise.

Additional Terms & Requirements

• Location & Hours: Full-time, strictly on-site in Stradishall (near Cambridge/Newmarket), UK. Must be flexible for shift work or additional hours as needed.
• Eligibility & Discretion: Valid UK Right to Work required (no visa sponsorship). High standards of site cleanliness, confidentiality, and self-motivation.

Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience
• 40-hour work week (days)
• 25 days holiday
• Pension Contribution
• Competitive salary
• Collaborative culture