Operations Training & Competency Specialist

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.

Position Summary

The Operations Translation & Competency Assurance Specialist serves as the critical link between plant floor execution and formal documentation in chemical manufacturing operations. Rather than managing the administrative SOP lifecycle, this role focuses heavily on on-the-floor auditing to ensure actual field processes are accurately translated into written procedures. By shadowing operators and collaborating with engineering, this specialist validates procedural accuracy and builds a rigorous Competency Assurance Framework. This framework requires operators to master a defined Body of Knowledge (BoK) and pass a formal, practical Demonstration of Skill to verify absolute proficiency and safety compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Audit Process Translation: Spend significant time on the manufacturing floor auditing live processes to ensure that written SOPs accurately reflect actual line execution, identifying where documentation and reality diverge.
• Bridge Documentation Gaps: Partner closely with the Document Control/SOP Manager to provide field-verified updates, ensuring that all complex chemical workflows are accurately captured in the master documentation.
• Build the Body of Knowledge (BoK): Establish the core theoretical foundation for each operational role, defining the exact technical concepts, chemical hazards, equipment mechanics, and safety regulations an operator must understand.
• Design Demonstrations of Skill: Develop standardized, objective, hands-on testing protocols and practical rubrics that require operators to physically demonstrate their skills on the line under various operational scenarios.
• Develop Competency Assurance Frameworks: Integrate the Body of Knowledge and Demonstration of Skill into a structured, step-by-step qualification track that guides operators from novice to certified status.
• Verify and Certify Proficiency: Personally administer or oversee the formal practical assessments, officially signing off on an operator's competency only after they have successfully married theoretical knowledge with flawless physical execution.
• Ensure Regulatory Compliance: Align all field competency tracks, BoK components, and training materials with OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM), EPA, and site safety standards.
• Track Competency Metrics: Maintain and update the site’s qualification matrices within the Learning Management System (LMS) to ensure audit-readiness for regulatory inspections.

Qualifications & Skills

• Experience: 3-5 years of experience in instructional design, technical auditing, or operations training within a chemical plant, refinery, or heavy industrial environment.
• Framework Development: Proven experience building Competency Assurance Models that successfully blend written/theoretical knowledge with strict, structured practical performance evaluations.
• Audit & Translation Expertise: Experience conducting field audits, performing job task analyses, and translating complex, physical tasks into measurable performance standards.
• Industry Knowledge: Deep familiarity with OSHA 1910.119 (PSM) standards, Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), and Job Safety Analyses (JSA).
• Physical Requirements: Ability to walk the plant floor, climb stairs/ladders, and wear required PPE (respirator, steel-toed boots, safety glasses) during heavy field auditing cycles.

Education & Certification Requirements

• Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, Industrial Safety, Occupational Health & Safety (OHS), Organizational Development, or a closely related technical discipline.
• Alternative Experience: An Associate’s degree or technical certification combined with 7+ years of direct chemical plant operations or heavy industrial training experience may be accepted in lieu of a four-year degree.
• Preferred Certifications: Certified Professional in Training and Performance (CPTP), Associate Professional in Talent Development (APTD), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), or specialized OSHA/PSM certifications are highly desirable.

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