Senior Process Scientist

Our client is looking for a Senior Process Scientist to join their Compliance Department. As an integral member of our team, you will play a vital role in monitoring water quality and ensuring full compliance with Water Quality Regulations. The successful candidate will collaborate with both the Operations and Water Quality Departments to optimise Water Treatment processes, reduce waste, and support ongoing improvements, ensuring continued provision of a reliable, high-quality drinking water supply.

What will you be doing?

• Monitoring and enhancing the operation of water treatment works and assets to ensure water quality meets both internal standards and external regulatory requirements at every stage of treatment, while maximising performance and quality.
• Collaborating closely with field operations staff to optimise treatment processes, ensuring regulatory compliance and delivering the best value.
• Providing guidance and support to the Process Scientist.
• Conducting process audits across water treatment works, reservoirs, and the network, identifying areas for improvement and action.
• Investigating and analysing root causes of water quality compliance issues and incidents, producing detailed reports with recommendations for remedial actions and continuous improvement based on best practices.
• Assisting in the implementation of operating methods, offering support on process optimisation, operational efficiency, and investment needs for both existing and new assets.
• Generating and presenting data and reports to aid in decision-making on technical issues affecting various sites, and collaborating with the Process Science Manager to address business-impacting issues with relevant stakeholders.
• Reviewing and maintaining critical documentation (e.g. Site Parameter Sheets).
• Conducting water quality risk assessments to mitigate risks to both water quality and production, offering advice on operational activities and service recovery during quality events.
• Engaging in site trials and pilot studies.
• A strong understanding of the regulatory framework and principles governing the UK water supply industry.

What do you need?

• Experience in data collection and analysis to investigate scientific issues, with the ability to interpret findings and make informed recommendations.
• Advanced IT skills, particularly in Excel for data analysis.
• High mathematical proficiency.
• Self-driven, proactive, and able to work independently, while also thriving as part of a collaborative team in a dynamic environment.
• Strong time and people management skills.
• A degree in science, engineering, or equivalent professional experience.
• Previous experience in the water industry, with a detailed understanding of water treatment processes.
• Proficient in using Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• A full driving licence to support travel to various sites.
• National Water Hygiene certification.

What will you get?

• Salary £43,000 to £48,000
• 27 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays
• Up to 15% pension contributions
• Non-contractual bonus of up to 6% of your basic salary, linked to company performance
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave and pay.
• Life assurance scheme with a 4x salary lump sum benefit
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Virtual GP service (available 8am–10pm, 7 days a week for you and your immediate family)
• Discounts at thousands of retailers, plus exciting benefits like:
  • Electric Vehicle Scheme (after 1 year)
  • Cycle to Work Scheme
  • Health Cash Plan