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.
The Role
We are looking for a Senior Project Manager to lead capital engineering projects of up to £2M across high-hazard chemical manufacturing sites. Working within a structured stage-gate process, you will be responsible for delivering projects safely, on time, within budget, and in full compliance with regulatory and quality standards.
Based in Harlow, Essex, you will manage multidisciplinary teams and external contractors, with occasional travel across the UK and Europe.
Key Responsibilities
Lead engineering and capital projects from concept through to completion.
Ensure compliance with SHE, COMAH, regulatory, and company standards.
Define project scope, requirements, budgets, schedules, and execution plans.
Coordinate internal stakeholders, engineering teams, contractors, and suppliers.
Manage project risks and implement mitigation strategies.
Control project costs, forecasts, timelines, and documentation.
Support contract and procurement activities to ensure successful project delivery.
Provide regular project updates, KPIs, and governance reporting.
Drive effective stakeholder engagement and communication.
Mentor and support colleagues managing smaller local projects.
About You
Degree qualified in a relevant engineering discipline.
PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent project management qualification.
10+ years' experience within chemicals, manufacturing, or other high-hazard industries.
Proven track record delivering multidisciplinary engineering projects in brownfield environments.
Experience managing EPCM contractors and external engineering partners.
Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
Able to influence and coordinate diverse project teams without direct line management responsibility.
Additional European language skills would be advantageous.
Location
Harlow, Essex (site-based) with travel to UK and European locations as required.
🌍 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
Skills Required
- Degree in relevant engineering discipline
- PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent project management qualification
- 10+ years' experience in chemicals, manufacturing, or high-hazard industries
- Proven track record delivering multidisciplinary engineering projects in brownfield environments
- Experience managing EPCM contractors and external engineering partners
- Knowledge of SHE and COMAH compliance and regulatory standards
- Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to influence and coordinate diverse project teams without direct line management
- Additional European language skills
What We Do
Synthomer is a business-to-business speciality chemicals producer. We create value for all our stakeholders by applying our expertise and innovation capabilities to provide high-performance water-based polymers and ingredients to a wide range of blue-chip customers in multiple attractive end markets. Synthomer are headquartered and stock listed in the UK. We have more than 30 operational sites across Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia including four innovation centres of excellence. The Company employs around 4,200 entrepreneurial, highly skilled employees with the expertise and experience to drive our success worldwide.
