Leadership Development Program - Chemical Engineer

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.

Synthomer Leadership Development Program - Are you ready to jump-start your career? 

Synthomer is a specialty chemicals manufacturer and one of the world’s foremost suppliers of water-based polymers with market leadership positions across the globe. Our polymers help customers create innovative new products and enhance the performance of existing products in key industries such as coatings, construction, adhesives, and nitrile medical gloves. To support our long-term growth strategy, we’re looking for individuals that have a technical foundation and are passionate about driving change, enhancing Synthomer’s operational capabilities and have a desire to develop into a future leader of our organization.

Our Leadership Development Program is an exciting career accelerator that offers a unique opportunity to tackle high impact business challenges, work with colleagues and senior leaders at all levels within the organization while accelerating your professional development. This two-year program is designed to sharpen your technical skills and provide exposure to all facets of operations that will help diversify your experience as a leader & valued team member within an organization that is a key driver to our company’s success.

What makes us different?

We believe in a one-size-fits-one tailored approach to your development. During the program you will be supported through learning events, mentoring and personal development planning to position you to become a successful leader within the organization. Our LDP consists of three (3) rotational assignments that align to current strategic initiatives within our business.  Within each assignment, you will have the opportunity to make significant contributions to the organization. After successfully completing the program, you will be prepared for an exciting, impactful, and challenging Operations & Engineering role.

The following represents some examples of what your assignments might look like…

• New product scale up within, or product transfer between our chemicals operations

• Capital project execution and commissioning

• Integrating global Manufacturing Excellence into plant operations

• Leading a six-sigma project to improve product yield, uptime, or energy usage

What you can expect after the program?

This program is a leadership accelerator designed to propel your career while also allowing you to follow the path that is best suited for you. Below are examples of the career track this program is designed to prepare you for, all with career mobility tailored to you.

• Operations Leadership

• Manufacturing Excellence

• Engineering Leadership

What you’ll need to be successful….

• Candidates must be highly motivated, results-oriented, and possess a passion for strengthening operational, strategic thinking and leadership skills.

• Bachelor’s Degree Chemical Engineering, or related field from an accredited university.

• Minimum of one internship or CO-OP that provide practical experience in strategic marketing or market development (two or more preferred)

• 3.2 GPA Minimum

• Participants must be geographically mobile during the program, including ability to relocate within the U.S. based on assignment location and travel internationally.

• Permanent work authorization in the Unites States is 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