Shift Process Plant Operator

Severn Wye Biochar

Location: Warrington

Salary: £38,000 per annum (including 20% shift allowance)

Contract: 3 months fixed-term | Hours: 24/7 rotating shift pattern

Reports to: General Manager | Start date: 1st October

Join the Future of Biochar production

We are seeking an experienced, safety-focused Shift Process Plant Operator to join our modern biochar production facility. You will play a key role in the safe, reliable and efficient operation of the plant, monitoring a continuous thermal process and ensuring production, quality, environmental and safety standards are maintained.

This is a hands-on, safety-critical role suited to an experienced process operator who enjoys working with industrial technology, process control systems and continuous operations.

The Role

Working as part of a 24/7 operating team, you will monitor and operate the pyrolysis plant and associated equipment using SCADA/HMI systems and field inspections. You will respond to alarms and abnormal conditions, support safe start-ups, shutdowns and changeovers, and work closely with maintenance and management to maximise plant availability and performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Safely operate pyrolysis, process and ancillary equipment within approved parameters.

• Monitor temperature, pressure, gas systems, emissions and other critical process conditions.

• Operate SCADA/HMI systems and respond appropriately to alarms and process deviations.

• Conduct routine plant inspections and accurately record operational data.

• Support safe start-up, shutdown, changeover, isolation and recommissioning activities.

• Assist with maintenance and authorised operation of mobile plant, including telehandlers/loading equipment.

• Receive and handle feedstocks, consumables and finished products; package, store and dispatch biochar safely.

• Maintain high standards of housekeeping, production quality and environmental compliance.

• Complete production records, electronic reports and structured shift handovers.

• Report defects, incidents, near misses and abnormal conditions promptly.

• Follow Permit to Work, LOTO/isolation, confined-space, work-at-height and hot-work procedures.

• Use Stop Work Authority whenever an unsafe condition or behaviour is identified.

• Participate in emergency response, fire prevention, toolbox talks and safety initiatives.

• Support environmental permitting, emissions monitoring and safe handling of fuels, chemicals and waste.

• Identify and implement opportunities to improve safety, reliability, efficiency and operational performance.

What We're Looking For

Essential

• Previous experience operating industrial process plant, manufacturing equipment or continuous-process facilities.

• Experience with SCADA, HMI or DCS-controlled processes.

• Understanding of Permit to Work, risk assessment and Safe Systems of Work.

• Strong commitment to safety-critical, lone working practices.

• Good communication, teamwork and computer skills.

• Ability to use electronic operational reporting systems.

• Telehandler licence or willingness to obtain one.

• Physically capable of carrying out operational duties safely.

• Ability and willingness to work a 24/7 rotating shift pattern.

• Proactive approach to identifying hazards, defects and improvement opportunities, troubleshooting.

Desirable

Experience in pyrolysis/biomass, energy-from-waste, chemical or thermal processing, combustion, process control, mechanical/electrical systems or continuous improvement. Additional desirable qualifications include First Aid, Fire Warden/Marshal, Banksman/Slinger.

What You'll Bring

Safety leadership • Situational awareness • Accountability • Calm decision-making • Process discipline • Problem-solving • Attention to detail • Clear communication • Teamwork • Continuous improvement

You will be expected to maintain safe operating standards, communicate effectively during shift handovers and take ownership of plant conditions and operational decisions.

Why Join Us?

• Work with modern process-control technology.

• Develop specialist expertise in biochar production.

• Build experience in an emerging low-carbon technology sector.

• Contribute directly to plant reliability, efficiency and performance.

• Develop your technical and process-operation skills.

• Join a professional team committed to Safety, Environmental Compliance, Quality, Reliability and Continuous Improvement.

How to Apply

If you are an experienced process operator who takes safety seriously and wants to develop your career within an innovative biochar and pyrolysis operation, we would like to hear from you.

Please submit your CV and a short covering statement outlining your relevant process-operations experience and why you are interested in joining us.