Principal Process Specialist

We are looking for a Principal Process Specialist to join Thames Water permanently. You will provide the business with expert wastewater treatment process knowledge and direction to achieve compliance with regulatory requirements. Take accountability for those STWs allocated and support the wider team to enable us to focus the team and individual expertise on specific issues.

What will you be doing as a Principal Process Specialist?

• Demonstrate a drive to increase the engagement score within your team, striving for an 80% participation rate in the Engagement survey with regular quarterly engagement feedback sessions and demonstrable, tangible action plans in place in line with the corporate H4U calendar.
• Reduce sickness absence through 100% completion of RTW meetings, proactively monitoring and managing attendance, including taking appropriate supportive steps, utilising occupational health and where required, absence management procedures.
• Manage training, development, learning and continuous improvement in your team to support performance.
• Demonstrate effective talent management with a focus on high-potential talent, including visible support for Mentors, Apprentices, Upskillers and tech-to-manager development.
• Proactively manage the performance of the team including effective review of performance and robust support plans to ensure all employees perform to the required standard.
• Proactively manage recruitment process with recruitment team, ensuring PAWS are processed within 48 hours, interviews are scheduled before advert closing date.
• Ensure that effective daily huddles occur across own area in line with ‘Managing Our Business’ principles and that at audit, all areas achieve a green pass with demonstrable action plans where required.
• Ensure that monthly briefings/team meetings covering company key messages, such as H&S, communications (team talk), operational performance, with a documented attendance sheet, take place.
• Hold monthly 1:1 meetings with direct reports.
• Carry out 1 task observation a month for their direct reports (where applicable).

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 a salary up to £55,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience, plus a car allowance.
• 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.

Who are we?

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.

Working at Thames Water

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’s 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.

Why choose us?

Our overarching aim is to ensure that Thames Water is a great, 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.