Process Chemist - County Wexford

Process Chemist - County Wexford.

This position will lead monitoring and control of manufacturing in a multi-product and multi-ingredient environment. A key function of this role is process control & monitoring of manufacturing processes to ensure that all products meet and exceed technical and performance specifications including issuing of manufacturing instructions, evaluation of laboratory test results, and disposition/release of ingredients, intermediates and finished products. This position is responsible for maintaining and developing the plant Quality and Food Safety Management System, acting as a champion for Quality and GMP in the manufacturing environment, and leading key programs of the Business Management System. This position will drive continuous improvement in the manufacturing environment, leading and supporting the manufacturing teams as required.

Key Responsibilities and Main Tasks:
• Drive the zero-defect culture through rigorous adherence to SOP’s, maintaining GMP and environmental standards, and aggressively identifying and implementing appropriate corrective actions within the plant.
• Develop a deep understanding of ingredient and product characteristics and specifications.
• Take ownership of manufacturing processes and provide manufacturing instructions to operations.
• Monitor control points in the manufacturing process to ensure that process is in control and capable and troubleshoot issues if necessary.

• Evaluate a suite of laboratory analysis outputs to determine appropriate disposition of materials and processes in a timely fashion.
• Develop and/or validate manufacturing processes/equipment to ensure capability to meet product specifications reliably and repeatedly.
• Develop quality standards, specifications and requirements for primary packaging, processing aids and production consumables in order to ensure quality and integrity of products.
• Manage the introduction of new ingredients, products and processes (including technology transfer) through the commercialisation process and carry out all qualifications as required.
• Schedule or attend pre-commercialisation test run to ensure production capability
• Identify through in-process monitoring, trending, cycle times, etc. opportunities for process and productivity improvement
• Design, develop, conduct and/or review experiments in order to deliver new products, evaluate ingredients, product or packaging safety, evaluate OOS/ correct deviations.
• Sponsor, facilitate and support continuous improvement activities in manufacturing programs.

• Provide technical support for contingency planning, supply point shifts and new product introductions. • Assist in the re-design, development, roll out and championing of the Quality and Food safety System. • Lead key programs within the Business Management System.
• Participation in external audits of certified systems and perform internal audits.

• Work collaboratively with others to accomplish goals

Required Experience and Qualifications:
• Third level degree in a scientific discipline, preferably Chemistry or Applied Chemistry, Chemical or Process engineering or similar

• At least 4 years’ experience in a regulated process manufacturing environment such as pharma, food,  beverage, flavour, fragrance, food ingredients or FMCG
• Comprehensive knowledge of organic chemistry and the ability to interpret analytical results

• Experience/knowledge of engineering principles
• Experience of management (developing and sustaining) of Quality Systems Programs in a GMP environment

• Experience of developing and supporting GMP, hygiene and food safety requirements
• Experience of participating in external audits and leading and coordinating internal audits

• Experience of New Product Introduction and Technology Transfer
• Excellent problem-solving skills, negotiation and influencing skills