Job Description

Technical Chemist

Location: Peterhead
Total Hours: 40
Mon - Thurs 0730-1700
Fri - 0730 - 1430

The Opportunity

We are recruiting a Technical Chemist on behalf of our client, a well-established organisation operating within the UK waste management and environmental services sector. This role is based at their Peterhead Waste Transfer Station and plays a critical part in ensuring technical compliance, customer support, and safe handling of hazardous and non-hazardous waste streams.

This is a hands-on, technically focused position that combines chemistry expertise, regulatory knowledge, and operational support, making it ideal for a chemist who enjoys applying their knowledge in a real-world, industrial environment.

Key Responsibilities

The client is looking for someone who can confidently own the technical and compliance aspects of waste acceptance and routing, while also supporting commercial and operational teams.

Technical & Compliance

Provide expert technical guidance to a UK-wide customer base on waste characterisation and disposal options.

Classify hazardous waste in accordance with UK regulations and guidance from EA and SEPA.

Ensure all waste quotes and movements comply with site permits, licences, and legislation.

Verify that all waste received on site meets pre-acceptance criteria and is accurately described.

Ensure correct labelling, storage, and segregation of waste in line with regulatory requirements.

Operational Support

Support on-site activities including receipting, processing, storage, and dispatch of waste.

Assist customers with haz-packing, waste listing, and preparation for transport.

Route waste streams to approved UK disposal sites using established matrices.

Proactively identify and evaluate new disposal routes and third-party facilities.

Commercial & Internal Collaboration

Support the UK customer service and sales teams by providing technical input for quotes and tenders.

Maintain and update internal waste and enquiry databases.

Build strong working relationships with site teams, logistics, industrial services, and third-party disposal partners.

Provide technical support across other UK locations as required (occasional travel).

Health, Safety, Security, Environment & Quality (HSSEQ)

The client places strong emphasis on safety and environmental performance. The successful candidate will:

Actively support continuous improvement in HSSEQ performance.

Report all incidents, near misses, or regulatory breaches.

Fully adhere to the ‘Stop the Job’ policy and intervene where unsafe conditions are observed.

Follow the integrated management system and contribute to process improvements.

Essential Qualifications

HNC/HND or Degree in a Chemistry-related discipline

Essential Skills & Competencies

Strong communication skills and ability to build positive working relationships.

Good IT skills, including MS Office.

Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced operational environment.

Understanding of the waste management sector and UK legislation.

Willingness to work on-site and undertake operational activities.

Mandatory / Role-Relevant Training (or willingness to complete):

Working at Height

Forklift

Vehicle Banksman / Spotter

Manual Handling

COSHH Awareness

Dangerous Goods Awareness

Oil Spill Awareness



Desirable

Practical knowledge of waste transfer station operations.

Experience working with site permits and environmental legislation.

Why This Role?

This is an excellent opportunity for a chemistry professional looking to move beyond the lab and into a role with real operational impact, strong regulatory exposure, and long-term career development within the environmental and waste management sector.