Lead Technician

Lead Technician

Location: Darlington, Co Durham

Contract Type: Permanent / Full Time

Closing Date: Aug 12th, 2026

Ref:

Wolviston Management Services are supporting a highly innovative organisation within the chemical sector in the appointment of a Lead Technician. This is an excellent opportunity to join a technically driven, COMAH-regulated environment, where safety, operational excellence and continuous improvement are at the heart of everything they do.

As Lead Technician, you will play a key role in supporting the safe, stable and efficient operation of a continuous process plant, acting as the senior technical point of contact on shift and driving performance across production activities.

The Role

Working closely with the Production Team Leader, you will take a hands on leadership role in overseeing plant operations, supporting team performance and ensuring full compliance with process safety and regulatory standards.

You will be responsible for:

• Supporting day-to-day production activities to ensure safe, efficient and compliant plant operation
• Acting as the senior technical authority on shift, leading troubleshooting and resolving process deviations
• Promoting a strong safety culture aligned to COMAH and site standards
• Preparing and issuing Permits to Work (PTW) and carrying out LOTO isolations
• Coaching and developing operators to drive team capability and performance
• Supporting the development and continuous improvement of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Collaborating with engineering, maintenance and EHS teams to resolve operational challenges
• Leading Level 1 maintenance activities and fault finding across process equipment
• Conducting safety audits and supporting environmental and compliance activities
• Deputising for the Production Team Leader when required

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure safe, compliant and efficient execution of all production activities
• Maintain strict adherence to PTW, LOTO and process safety systems
• Drive plant reliability, uptime and operational performance
• Lead proactive problem solving and continuous improvement initiatives
• Support business growth and the development of new operational areas

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience within chemical manufacturing or high hazard process industries
• Ideally 5+ years' experience in a similar operational role
• Relevant Process Operations qualification (Level 2/3 or equivalent)
• Strong working knowledge of Permit to Work and LOTO systems
• Experience operating within a COMAH environment (desirable)
• Demonstrable leadership and team development capability
• Strong fault finding, problem solving and decision making skills
• Excellent communication and organisational ability
• Flexible approach to working continental shift patterns

FLT licence is advantageous but not essential.

Why Apply?

• Opportunity to join a forward thinking, growing organisation
• Work within a highly technical and safety led environment
• Play a key role in driving operational performance and improvement
• Genuine opportunity for development and progression