At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a high-hazard manufacturing site, ensuring safety and operational excellence.
- Company: Synthomer, a leader in high-performance polymers with a focus on sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, global bonus scheme, flexible working options, and extensive learning opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive culture focused on continuous improvement and global impact.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a key site while driving safety and performance improvements.
- Qualifications: Degree in a relevant field and significant senior operations leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Lead a High-Hazard Manufacturing Site Driving Safety, Performance & Growth.
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. 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.
This is a pivotal leadership role where you will take full ownership of a complex and high-performing site of approximately 90 operational employees (c.200 total on site), managing:
- £10m production costs
- £2m Capex investment pipeline
- A broad, multi-disciplinary leadership team (SHE, Production, Engineering, Quality, Technical, Planning)
You will play a critical role in shaping the future of the site—enhancing safety standards, improving reliability, and delivering operational efficiency to support ambitious business growth.
What you’ll be doing as Site Manager
- Lead Safe & Compliant Operations
- Ensure safe, compliant, and efficient plant operations at all times
- Act as the key interface with regulatory bodies including HSE and Environment Agency (COMAH)
- Champion a robust Safety, Health & Environment (SHE) improvement agenda
- Drive Performance & Strategy
- Develop and deliver annual site plans covering SHE, KPIs, production, OPEX, and CAPEX
- Refresh and execute a manufacturing strategy aligned to a 5-year growth plan
- Lead manufacturing excellence and continuous improvement initiatives
- Deliver Operational Excellence
- Drive plant reliability and performance improvement programmes
- Lead major Capex projects including capacity expansion and new product introduction
- Ensure strong alignment with wider business priorities and operational cadence
- Build High-Performing Teams
- Coach, develop, and inspire the Site Leadership Team
- Strengthen organisational capability and foster a culture of accountability and engagement
- Maintain positive and productive trade union relationships
- Represent the Site
- Lead internal and external audits and ISO certification activities
- Engage actively in manufacturing and SHE networks
- Manage relationships with key on-site functional stakeholders
What We’re Looking For
- Degree-qualified (or equivalent) in a relevant technical discipline
- Significant experience in senior operations leadership roles within a COMAH / high-hazard manufacturing environment
- Proven track record of delivering:
- Safety and compliance excellence
- Operational performance improvement
- Capital project delivery
- Leadership team development
You’ll be a visible and credible leader with strong emotional intelligence, capable of influencing at all levels—from shopfloor teams to senior stakeholders.
Why Join Us?
- Opportunity to shape the future of a strategically important site
- High-impact leadership role with full operational accountability
- Supportive environment focused on continuous improvement and growth
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
Site Manager in Harlow employer: Synthomer
Synthomer is an exceptional employer, offering a pivotal leadership role as Site Manager in Harlow, Essex, where you can shape the future of a high-hazard manufacturing site. With a strong focus on safety, performance, and employee growth, we provide a supportive environment that encourages continuous improvement and offers competitive benefits, including flexible working options and comprehensive wellbeing support. Join us to be part of a culture of inclusion and innovation, driving meaningful contributions to sustainable practices in a globally recognised company.
