Principal Process Specialist IED

Pertemps; Reading; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in water and wastewater services seeks a Principal Process Specialist to ensure compliance with environmental regulations. This hands-on role involves technical expertise in sludge treatment and process optimization, requiring strong leadership and communication skills. The position offers a competitive salary and extensive benefits, including a car allowance and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Car allowance

26 days holiday, increasing to 30

Health and wellbeing benefits

Enhanced paternity and maternity leave

Performance development reviews

Qualifications

• Extensive experience with wastewater sludge processes and relevant regulations.
• Proven leadership in fault finding and process improvements.

Responsibilities

• Guide Operations teams in meeting IED obligations as a subject matter expert.
• Provide innovative technical solutions and conduct data analysis.
• Lead regular business reporting and mentor internal teams.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem Solving

Education

BSc in Science or Engineering

Job description

Do you want to help shape and lead Thames Water’s environmental compliance with our new Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) obligations?

We are seeking a Principal Process Specialist to guide our Operations teams in meeting their new obligations, acting as a subject matter expert in sludge treatment processes, anaerobic digestion, and odour management.

If you have a passion for making a difference as environmental custodians and helping our teams operate in line with statutory regulations, this role could be for you.

You will provide innovative technical solutions. It is a hands-on role across various sites, involving data analysis, fault finding, pollution mitigation, and process optimisation to ensure compliance.

This role will cover the Thames Valley Area, including Berkshire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, and Buckinghamshire.

What will you be doing as a Principal Process Specialist IED

Technical Expertise

• Be a subject matter expert for IED permits and sludge treatment processes, fault finding, and process optimisation.
• Utilise all available tools and data to investigate issues, recommend practical solutions, and ensure permit compliance.
• Contribute to technical design queries using site and regulatory knowledge.
• Liaise with regulators, stakeholders, and customers.
• Organise and supervise third-party contractors for servicing, surveying, and remedial works related to IED requirements.

Communication & Leadership

• Lead regular business reporting and meetings, confidently presenting and communicating to diverse audiences.
• Build rapport with internal teams and external stakeholders, mentoring and coaching to improve technical understanding.
• Produce root cause analyses of permit breaches and share lessons learned.
• Participate in out-of-hours call-out rotations.
• Drive continuous improvement and innovative projects.

Training

• Undertake technical training and hold key process safety roles.
• Learn about new wastewater technologies and share knowledge with teams.
• Lead the development of learning materials, asset standards, and project scopes related to IED and sludge treatment.

What should you bring to the role?

• A minimum of a BSc in science or engineering is advantageous.
• Extensive experience with wastewater sludge processes, including anaerobic digestion, biogas management, odour control, and relevant regulations.
• Proven leadership in fault finding, process improvements, and change delivery.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of explaining complex technical information to non-technical audiences.
• A full UK driving license and access to transport (a car allowance is provided).
• Strong data handling, processing, and reporting skills, with IT system adaptability.
• Experience supervising contractors, reviewing risk assessments, and organizing site works.
• Proven coaching and mentoring abilities.
• Curiosity, self-motivation, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills.

What’s in it for you?

• Salary up to £62,000 per annum, plus a car allowance.
• 26 days holiday, increasing to 30 with service, plus bank holidays.
• Health, wellbeing, and financial benefits, including health MOTs, physiotherapy, counselling, Cycle to Work, vouchers, and life assurance.
• Enhanced paternity and maternity leave options.
• Performance development reviews and growth opportunities.

Find out more about our benefits and perks.

Who are we?

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, serving over 16 million customers daily. We aim to build a better future for all by helping customers, communities, people, and the planet thrive. We seek passionate, skilled individuals committed to making a difference.

Learn more about our purpose and values

Working at Thames Water

Thames Water offers a diverse, rewarding environment where every day makes a difference. We provide career growth, flexible working, and excellent benefits.

Whether in call centres or science labs, we’re looking for passionate people eager to improve things.

If you want a sustainable career that impacts millions and helps protect water resources, join us. We support you every step of the way to build a better future for our customers, region, and planet.

Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Join the Thames Water family. Learn more about why to choose us.

We’re committed to diversity and inclusion, welcoming applications from all backgrounds and providing support throughout recruitment. We aim to remove barriers to success and support those in need.

In crises, we rally to support our customers. Join our team as an ambassador, receiving full training. It’s a rewarding way to learn more about our business, meet colleagues, and earn extra income.

Disclaimer: Due to high application volumes, we may close the advert early. Apply soon to avoid missing out.