Main Accountabilities
- Model Development & Deployment: Design, build, and maintain machine learning and optimisation models for real manufacturing problems (e.g., soft sensors, quality prediction, setpoint optimisation, scheduling solvers).
- Control Integration: Validate and deploy digital PID tuning recommendations; integrate analytics outputs with DCS/PLC and plant historians for closedloop or advisory control.
- Simulation & Digital Twin: Develop and maintain Aspen (or equivalent) steadystate/dynamic models; support digital twin use cases for scenario analysis and process optimisation.
- Data Engineering for Operations: Ensure data availability, structure, and quality across historians, MES, LIMS, ERP; build reliable pipelines for near realtime and batch analytics.
- Change Management & Adoption: Partner with production and maintenance to operationalise models (MLOps), verify impact, and embed solutions into standard work.
- Performance Visibility: Deliver intuitive dashboards and alerts that expose leading indicators, constraints, and improvement opportunities.
- Sustain & Improve: Monitor drift, retrain models, and continuously improve based on new data and evolving process conditions.
Expected Deliverables:
- Measured OEE gains and throughput/capacity improvements
- Digital PID tuning outcomes for reactors/critical loops with validated benefits
- Predictive maintenance models reducing unplanned downtime
- Automated scheduling or optimisation tools that respect plant constraints
- Realtime plant performance dashboards with actionable insights
Additional Information:
- Travel to plant sites as required for trials, commissioning, and operator training.
- Role involves time in operating areas; adherence to all EHS requirements is mandatory.
Working Relationships:
- Internal: Production, Maintenance, Engineering, EHS, Supply Chain/Planning, IT/OT
- External: Vendors/consultants for DCS, historians, and simulation; academic/industry partners as needed.
Success Measures (1218 Months)
- Quantified improvements in throughput, yield, quality, or energy with validated financial impact
- Stable deployment of at least two production-grade analytics/optimisation solutions integrated with plant systems
- Robust MLOps/monitoring in place (drift detection, retraining cadence)
- Positive feedback from operations on usability and adoption
Why Synthomer
We are ambitious!
We have grown significantly both organically and inorganically. We are a FTSE 250 listed company, 22% of our revenue comes from newly commercialized products, and we're recognized in the top-quartile for chemicals manufacturing safety.
We believe in high challenge, high support!
We are keen to let you contribute in real roles from day 1. We expect a lot, but offer a lot, too. This includes onboarding, induction and learning events, networking opportunities, mentoring and personal development planning. So, be up for an inspiring long-term career adventure.
We personalize our approach to development!
At Synthomer, you won't find generic career tracks or development programs but rather a one-size-fits-one approach to employee development. We'll partner with you to ensure you have the right experiences that build your capabilities and accelerate your career growth.
