Production Technician

Synthomer is a leading supplier of high-performance, highly specialised polymers and ingredients that play vital roles in key sectors such as coatings, construction, adhesives, and health and protection – growing markets that serve billions of end users worldwide. Headquartered in London, UK and publicly listed there since 1971, we employ c.3,900 employees across our 5 innovation centres of excellence and more than 29 manufacturing sites across Europe, North America and Asia. Around 20% of our sales volumes are from new and patent protected products.

At our innovation centres of excellence in the UK, Germany, China, Malaysia and Ohio, USA we collaborate closely with our customers to develop new products and enhance existing ones tailored to their needs, with an increasing range of sustainability benefits. Since 2021, we have been proud holders of the London Stock Exchange Green Economy Mark, which recognises green technology businesses making a significant contribution to a more sustainable, low-carbon economy.

Unsupervised safe operation and monitoring of multiple polymer reaction processes.  Load and unload tank trucks and railcars.  Perform filtering operations and transfer materials to containers (drums, totes) or bulk storage (storage tanks, tank trucks or rail cars). Responsible for safe handling of materials and housekeeping.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Transfers product and raw materials through proper lines by identifying correct line and completing hookups.

• Visually check lines, connections, and bleed off valves before, during and after transfer.

• Operate digital and mechanical scales, meters, pumps (centrifugal, positive displacement, air, etc.), filters, homogenizer, heat exchangers, hoists, hose connections and transfer stations as needed. 

• Operate forklifts to safely move material

• Know tank capacities for work area.

• Know raw material incompatibilities to avoid contamination

• Monitors degassing process on computer screens to determine appropriate sampling times.  Records basic data.

• Takes samples from Blow Down tanks and reactors - turns valves, takes quart samples to the lab. 

• Loads tank trucks – spots trucks, connects hoses to panel board, drop ramp, open manway hatch, verify hose connections on the mezzanine, drop hose, turn valves, take meter reading. Monitor the loading process.

• Loads tank cars (railcars) – verify rail and spot.  Connects hoses to panel board, drop ramp, open manway hatch, verify hose connections on mezzanine, drop hose, turn valves, take meter reading.

• Weigh trucks and operate the computerized weight ticket system.

• Using fork truck transfer pallets containing bags of raw materials to mezzanine.  Make up solutions in tank by adding water and raw materials (must be able to lift/carry 50# bags) to specification.

• Measure storage tanks, rail cars, reactors and blow down tanks as needed.

• Unloads bulk raw materials.

• Filters latex by operating AZO’s (filtering process) – disconnects/connects electrical cord (LOTO), adjusts valves on meters, screws on/off knobs holding screen cover, removes base plates and azo screens.  Puts base plates, screens to ground and washes off.  Installs cleaned equipment.  May carry damages screens to work bench and carry repaired screen back to AZO for reinstall.  Connect hoses at panel board.  Change RP filters – Unscrew knob handles, pry open lids, pull out RP mesh filter, discard, replace with new RP filter.  Water sprays to clean area.

• Support QS 9000 compliance efforts

• Manage time to effectively perform multiple job tasks safety and accurately.

• Immediately notify Supervisor of any problems.

• Communicate with other operators, material handlers and supervisors as needed to process the batch correctly.  Perform shift turnover, including talking with incoming or outgoing operator, checking valves and equipment to ensure proper working order and position consulting schedule for day etc.

• Proofread and comment to batch guides as needed.

• Attend meetings as required, such as quarterly communication meetings, monthly safety meetings, town hall and others as required.

SKILLS, ABILITIES & KNOWLEDGE: REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• High school or equivalent degree

• Able to handle up to fifty (50) pounds and physical dexterity to assemble and operate polymerization reactors

• Ability to follow instructions, record data

• Must be able to effectively communicate with Co-workers

• Motivated to learn new tasks, new concepts, new applications, etc.

• Working knowledge of computer applications (Word, Excel, E-Mail)

• High School diploma or equivalent plus 2 years experience in a manufacturing environment

• Average to Above average level in the following areas: Reading, Applied mathematics, Applied Technology, Locating Information, Observation, Teamwork

• Familiar with ISO-9001 and Process Safety Management

• Ability to operate computer

🌍 Global Benefits Overview

• 💰 Competitive, market-aligned compensation

• 🎯 Discretionary global bonus scheme

• 📈 Discretionary Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) – for senior positions

• 🚗 Company car or car allowance – varies by region and role

• 🩺 Healthcare – tailored to regional locations

• 👶 Parental leave and family support – maternity, paternity, adoption (aligned with regional policies)

• 🏡 Working options – flexibility where it matters, based on role and business needs

• 📚 Learning & development opportunities – training, online platforms, buddy/mentorship programs, Internal Synthomer University with L&D offers

• 💙 Wellbeing support – employee assistance program (EAP), mental health resources, wellbeing initiatives

• 🌱 Retirement / pension contributions – plans vary by country

• 🤝 Culture of Inclusion – where everyone can thrive

• 🏆 Performance culture, global reward & recognition programmes