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.
Main Accountabilities- Drive product development and continuous improvement projects for emulsion adhesives.
- Optimize formulations and processes to improve product quality, performance and manufacturing efficiency.
- Support product transfers and scale-up activities across international production sites.
- Provide technical expertise in polymerization and process technology.
- Collaborate with R&D, Operations and global teams to implement best practices and technology standards.
- Evaluate raw materials and support innovation and sustainability initiatives.
- Ensure compliance with SHE, quality and regulatory requirements
Requirements:
- Degree in Chemistry, Polymer Science or a related discipline; PhD preferred.
- Knowledge of polymerization technology, ideally emulsion polymerization.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Project management and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Effective communication skills and ability to work in an international environment.
- Proactive, innovative and continuous improvement mindset.
- Fluent English and willingness to travel internationally.
🌍 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 Chemistry, Polymer Science or related discipline
- PhD in relevant discipline
- Knowledge of polymerization technology
- Experience with emulsion polymerization
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Project management and cross-functional collaboration skills
- Effective communication skills and ability to work in an international environment
- Proactive, innovative and continuous improvement mindset
- Fluent English
- Willingness to travel internationally
- Knowledge of SHE, quality and regulatory requirements
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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.
