Production Specialist

Essar Oil (UK) Limited; Ellesmere Port; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension contribution 10% rising to 15%

Holiday entitlement 25 days

Private medical insurance

Flexible benefits

Employee assistance programme

On-site car parking

Job summary

Essar Oil (UK) Limited at the Stanlow Manufacturing Complex in Ellesmere Port seeks a Production Specialist to maintain the integrity of production work processes across asset areas, including ESP, RCM, MOC, and training content development. The role involves coaching operators, driving improvements, and managing operational discipline within the asset team.

You will support change management, active troubleshooting, and cross-functional collaboration to optimise performance and control costs

Qualifications

• Degree level, HNC, or equivalent qualification.
• Operational and technical knowledge of refinery/manufacturing operations.
• Proven track record in leading problem resolution and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Monitor unit performance daily and optimize delivery plans.
• Develop three‑month look‑ahead plans with site production specialists.
• Support development and communication of operating procedures and changes.
• Coordinate with Operations Delivery Manager, Production Team Leader and Maintenance Coordinator.
• Support pre‑commissioning, MOC handovers and maintenance activities.
• Participate in change management processes (MOC, turnaround planning and execution).
• Contribute to reliability activities (RCM, RBI) and budget management for chemicals and materials.
• Promote HSSE excellence and drive continuous improvement across asset areas.

Education

Degree level / HNC or equivalent

Job description

Requisition ID3690-Posted15/09/2026-Operations-Refinery Operations-Stanlow - EOUK-Refinery

Location: Stanlow Manufacturing Complex, Ellesmere Port

Employment Type: Site Based Full Time Role

• 10% Company Contribution Pension rising to 15% with service
• 25 days Holiday, increasing with service
• Private Medical Insurance
• Additional Flex Benefits- including Holiday Purchase
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme with Exclusive access to a range of Discounts
• Free Secure On-Site Car Parking

About the Company

EET (Essar Energy Transition) plays a major role in supplying the Northwest and the wider UK with essential fuels. We produce over 16% of the UK’s road fuels, supply key feedstocks to the petrochemical industry, and are investing heavily in low‑carbon energy solutions.

We work with major retail fuel brands, supermarkets, Manchester Airport, leading airlines, and regional transport operators. We are also a key partner in the HyNet project, helping to deliver the region’s low‑carbon future.

With over 900 skilled colleagues, we offer a strong safety culture, technically challenging work, and some of the best training in the energy sector.

We currently have an exciting opportunity for Production Specialist. You will play a key role in maintaining the integrity of production work processes across the asset area, including ESP, RCM, MOC, and production training and procedures. The role involves supporting the development of technically accurate and effective training content while actively coaching and enhancing operators’ technical and troubleshooting skills. You will ensure that production procedures remain accurate and drive long-term improvements, while also supporting the management of variable costs. In addition, you will champion Operational Discipline and Continuous Improvement within the Asset Team.

Primary Accountabilities

• Monitor unit performance daily, providing proactive second-level equipment monitoring to maintain continuity and optimise performance and quality in line with delivery plans.
• Develop three-month look-ahead plans with site production specialists to assess the impact of equipment outages across areas.
• Contribute to daily operating instructions and investigate equipment or procedural failures.
• Communicate operating guidelines and procedural updates across shift teams, collaborating with Operations Delivery Manager, Production Team Leader, and Maintenance Coordinator.
• Work closely with operations and technical support teams to resolve chronic issues and support shift-based problem solving.
• Support the development, review, and communication of temporary and permanent operating procedures, including start-up, shutdown, commissioning, and equipment preparation.
• Participate in change management processes, including MOC, turnaround planning and execution, and providing operational input to projects.
• Review PEFs, ISOs, and MOCs for operability and feasibility, ensuring effective communication of plant changes to shift teams.
• Support pre-commissioning and MOC handovers, and act as an operational focal point for maintenance activities and emergency or schedule-breaking work.
• Contribute to reliability activities such as RCM and RBI studies and support maintenance prioritisation with OMCs.
• Promote HSSE excellence, ensuring compliance, accurate reporting, and active participation in internal and external audits.
• Champion ESP processes, maintain associated systems and metrics, and act as a coach and trainer within the asset area.
• Lead alarm management activities and represent operations in key safety and integrity forums such as COMAH, HAZOP, IOW, and corrosion control.
• Drive process, cost, and operational improvements, identifying efficiencies and supporting budget management for chemicals, catalysts, and materials.
• Promote operational discipline and continuous improvement, including effective time in the field.
• Support digitalisation initiatives by working with IT and the wider business to implement fit-for-purpose solutions.
• Provide operational support across multiple plant areas as required, including coverage during turnaround events and participation in duty rotas.
• Maintain required site authorisations and hold a valid UK driving licence.

About You

We are seeking a candidate educated to degree level, HNC, or with an equivalent qualification, or able to demonstrate comparable higher-level competency. The successful applicant will be working towards participation in an Operations duty rota or similar equivalent arrangement and will be required to obtain PVO/PA status for the Permit to Work system within 12 months of accepting the role.

The role requires proven experience gained in previous positions, including in-depth operational and technical knowledge of refinery or manufacturing operations, alongside a strong understanding of associated business processes and systems. Applicants should demonstrate extensive knowledge of Stanlow operations or have a proven track record within oil refining or petrochemical manufacturing environments. Experience working within an Upper Tier COMAH site (or equivalent) is essential, together with a clear track record of leading effective problem resolution.

The ideal candidate will possess strong organisational, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to quickly learn and effectively use specialist software applications such as alarm management systems. They will be an exceptional team player, experienced in working collaboratively across multiple functions and departments, and highly skilled at building and maintaining effective working relationships to support cross-functional delivery within the role.

Closing Date

This vacancy will close on 2nd October 2026.