Principal Process Specialist IED

Thames Water Utilities Limited; Reading, Oxford, Banbury, Eastleigh, Aylesbury; Hybrid; GBP 62,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water utility company is seeking a Principal Process Specialist to oversee environmental compliance and guide teams in sludge treatment processes. This role requires technical expertise and a hands-on approach across multiple sites, with a focus on driving compliance and process optimization.

Benefits

Annual Leave - 26 days

Health MOTs and physiotherapy access

Generous Paternity Leave

Enhanced Maternity Leave

Ongoing performance development reviews

Qualifications

• Significant experience with wastewater sludge processes.
• Proven track record in leading fault finding and process improvements.

Responsibilities

• Guide Operations teams in meeting IED obligations.
• Provide technical solutions and conduct data analysis.
• Supervise 3rd party contractors for IED requirements.

Skills

Data Handling

Communication

Problem Solving

Time Management

Education

BSc in Science or Engineering

Job description

Hybrid - Aylesbury (STW), Hybrid - Banbury (STW), Hybrid - Didcot (STW), Hybrid - Oxford STW - OX4 4YU, Hybrid - Reading (STW) - RG2 0RP, Hybrid - Swindon (STW), Hybrid - Thames Valley

Job title Principal Process Specialist IED Ref 40078 Division Asset Operations & Capital Delivery Location Hybrid - Aylesbury (STW), Hybrid - Banbury (STW), Hybrid - Didcot (STW), Hybrid - Oxford STW - OX4 4YU, Hybrid - Reading (STW) - RG2 0RP, Hybrid - Swindon (STW), Hybrid - Thames Valley Contract type Permanent Full/Part-time Full-time Hours 36 hours per week Salary Offering up to £62,000 per annum depending on skills and experience + a car allowance on top Job grade B Closing date 29/05/2025

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

You will innovatively provide leading technical solutions.

It is a hands-on role across a range of sites, alongside data analysis, fault finding, pollution mitigation and process optimisation to drive 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

• Being a subject matter expert for IED permits and sludge treatment processes, fault finding and optimising our processes.
• Utilise all tools and data available to investigate issues, recommend practical solutions and ensure permit compliance.
• Inputting to technical design queries using expert site and regulatory knowledge.
• Liaise with our regulators, stakeholders and customers.
• Organising and supervising 3rd party contractors for servicing, surveying and remedial works related to our IED requirements.
• Lead regular business reporting and meetings, being highly confident, engaging and effective in presenting and communicating to all audiences.
• Build rapport with internal teams and external stakeholders, improving technical understanding through mentoring & coaching.
• Produce root cause analysis of any permit breaches, sharing lessons learned to prevent repeats.
• Be prepared to participate in an out-of-hours call-out rota.
• Drive continuous improvement efforts, engaging with various teams to drive innovative, effective scopes forward.

Training

• Undertake technical training and hold key appointed process safety roles.
• Proactive in learning about new wastewater technologies and disseminating this knowledge to wider teams.
• Be a subject lead on IED requirements and sludge treatment processes, spearheading the development of learning materials, asset standards and project scopes.

What should you bring to the role?

• A minimum of a BSc in a science or engineering discipline is highly advantageous.
• Significant experience working with wastewater sludge processes, including anaerobic digestion, biogas management, odour management and relevant regulations.
• Proven track record in leading on fault finding, process improvements and delivering change.
• Comfortable holding in-depth, technical conversations, being a great communicator who can relay complex information to non-technical audiences.
• Travel to multiple sites across your assigned region will be required, so a full UK driving licence is essential, with access to your transport and business-use insurance. (A car allowance is provided.)
• You will be strong with data handling, processing, and reporting, as well as adapting to IT systems.
• You must have experience working with contractors, including reviewing risk assessments, supervising work on site and organising service/surveying works.
• Demonstrable proof of coaching and mentoring others.
• Curious, self-driven and motivated to find, communicate and solve technical problems.
• Superb time management skills, able to self-organise many differing responsibilities and be a true self-starter.

What’s in it for you?

• Offering up to £62,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience, plus a car allowance on top.
• Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service. (plus bank holidays)
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.
• Generous Paternity Leave, including 4 weeks paid and an optional 2 weeks unpaid.
• Enhanced Maternity Leave, 26 weeks full pay and 13 weeks half pay.
• Ongoing performance development reviews to help you be your best and identify growth opportunities.

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job, and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy fast-tracked career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.

Whether you’re interested in a role in one of our call centres or science labs, we’re looking for people like you with real passion and a burning desire to make things better.

So, if you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference in millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region and our planet.

Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.

Our overarching aim is to ensure that Thames Water is ga reat, diverse and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and offer extra support for those who need it throughout the recruitment process . We aim to remove any real or perceived barriers to success, so if you need assistance, we’re here to help and support .

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business, meet colleagues and earn some extra money along the way.

Disclaimer: Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.