Technical Manager

Ascensus Specialties LLC; Newmarket; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialty chemical company based in Newmarket is looking for a Technical Manager to lead its Production and Development departments. The ideal candidate will have a degree in Organic Chemistry or Chemical Engineering and at least five years of relevant experience in the pharmaceutical sector. Responsibilities include operational planning, quality control, and ensuring safety compliance. The role offers a competitive benefits package including 25 holiday days and a pension scheme.

Benefits

25 days holiday plus 8 days bank holiday

Company supplied Pension

Employee Assistance Programs

Life Assurance

Group Income Protection

Group Critical Illness

Health Cash Plan

Personal Incentive Bonus scheme

Qualifications

• Degree in Organic Chemistry or Chemical Engineering, or at least 5 years of relevant experience.
• Proven leadership experience in the fine chemical or pharmaceutical sectors.
• Excellent command of English for effective communication.

Responsibilities

• Promote safety compliance and a robust safety culture.
• Lead operational planning for Production and Development teams.
• Ensure employees are properly trained and supported.

Skills

Organic Chemistry knowledge

Leadership experience

Problem-solving skills

Data analysis skills

People management

Education

Degree in Organic Chemistry or Chemical Engineering

MSc or PhD in related field

Tools

Office 365 (Word, Excel)

ISO compliance knowledge

Job description

Technical Manager

Application Deadline: 31 March 2026

Department: Operations

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Newmarket, Suffolk

Reporting To: Site Director

Description

Wychem, an Ascensus Specialties Company, is excited to announce an opening for a Technical Manager to join our small, thriving team with a global footprint. This is an opportunity to contribute to a company whose chemical products are integral to the manufacture of vital medicines and 4K LED televisions.

This role serves as a key member of the company’s leadership team, reporting directly to the Site Director. In this capacity, you will collaborate closely with other site leaders to drive operational excellence across the site. You will hold direct responsibility for the oversight of the Production and Development departments, ensuring full alignment with organizational goals and compliance with established standards. This position is critical to the company's success, with a focus on enhancing quality control processes and systems that support safe, efficient, and reliable operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Safety Leadership: Promote a robust safety culture by ensuring departmental compliance with all HSE procedures. This includes conducting regular site walks, supporting incident investigations (accidents/near misses), and maintaining an environment focused on employee welfare.
• Operational Planning: Lead the daily planning for both Production and Development teams. Given our spot-order business model, you will remain reactive to changing priorities, ensuring the workdays are optimized based on the production schedule and resource availability.
• Departmental Oversight & Training: Ensure all employees within your departments are properly trained, competent, and supported in their professional growth. You will also manage internal proceedings such as grievances or disciplinaries when required.
• Quality & Data Analysis: Review and analyze production records and QC testing data to ensure full compliance. You will collect and analyze KPIs to monitor progress, identify trends, and assess the impact of business initiatives.
• Continual Improvement: Drive site-wide efficiencies and best practices. You will identify, propose, and implement improvements to processes and production methods to enhance overall performance.
• Technical Troubleshooting: Act as a responsive point of contact to troubleshoot issues across QC, Research, Development, Logistics, Maintenance, and Production, engaging with stakeholders to find effective solutions.
• Senior Representation: Act as the primary site contact in the absence of the Site Director. You will support internal, external, and client audits and liaise with contractors to ensure critical equipment servicing and calibrations are completed on time.
• Culture & Collaboration: Foster a positive, inclusive, and respectful working environment. You will support other departments to ensure client expectations are met, maintaining a professional and helpful approach even during high-pressure periods.

Working Hours

• While standard hours apply, this senior position requires a degree of flexibility to work additional hours when necessary to meet the needs of the business.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Technical Background: A degree in Organic Chemistry or Chemical Engineering, or at least 5 years of relevant industrial experience within fine chemical or pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Industry Leadership: Proven experience leading operations or development departments specifically within the fine chemical or pharmaceutical sectors.
• Technical Proficiency: A demonstrated track record of effective problem-solving and troubleshooting in lab-based and/or production environments.

Leadership & Management

• People Management: Previous experience in people‑facing leadership roles, such as Team Leader or Senior Management, with a focus on fostering a collaborative environment.
• Continuous Improvement: A solid understanding of 6 Sigma or similar methodologies to drive operational efficiency.

Systems & Communication

• Compliance Standards: A working knowledge of ISO 9001 (Quality), ISO 14001 (Environmental), and ISO 45001 (Health & Safety) management systems.
• Digital Proficiency: Excellent working knowledge of Office 365, specifically Word and Excel, alongside a functional understanding of IT infrastructure.
• Communication: An excellent command of English, both written and spoken, to effectively lead teams and communicate with global stakeholders.

• Advanced Expertise: A higher degree (MSc or PhD) in Organic Chemistry or Chemical Engineering, or 10 years of relevant industrial experience, including at least 5 years in a leadership capacity within operations or development.
• Analytical Proficiency: The ability to accurately interpret complex analytical results from GC, HPLC, FTIR, KF, titrations, and other standard QC testing methodologies.
• Project Management: A proven track record of managing technical projects from inception through to completion.
• Advanced Data Analysis: Extensive experience in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting technical data to drive strategic decision-making.

Benefits

• 25 days holiday plus 8 days bank holiday.
• Company supplied Pension.
• Employee Assistance Programs.
• Life Assurance.
• Group Income Protection.
• Group Critical Illness.
• Health Cash Plan.
• Personal Incentive Bonus scheme.