Lead Shift Operator

Humber Recruitment are resourcing a Lead Shift Operator for our client based in Saltfleetby on a full-time basis, working shift patterns.

ROLE OVERVIEW

Our client is recruiting for a Lead Operator at their Saltfleetby site. The Lead Operator plays a key role in ensuring the safe, efficient, and compliant operation of gas processing and distribution facilities 24/7.

Working as part of an operational team, the role involves monitoring plant performance, conducting routine inspections, recording operational data, and responding promptly to any deviations or alarms.

The Lead Operator will oversee daily operational activities, ensuring adherence to safety protocols, environmental regulations, and industry standards. This includes coordinating with maintenance teams, supporting shift handovers, and maintaining accurate records for operational continuity.

A strong focus on safety, attention to detail, and effective communication are essential, as the role directly contributes to the reliability of gas supply and the protection of personnel, assets, and the environment.

The position will be 7 days on, 7 days off, 7 nights on, 7 days off. Overtime will be required as part of this role to cover holidays and sickness as the company requires.

The ideal candidate will have 2 years’ experience in the Petrochemical / Oil and Gas field, and experience of Gas processing plants would be an advantage.

What you will do: Duties and Responsibilities

Role Specific

Key Responsibilities

• Production Efficiency – Deliver daily gas production to meet daily nominations whilst ensuring gas quality export requirements are met.
• Loss Reporting – Ensure all production losses are reported, and initial causes of loss are determined and recorded on loss reports
• Team Leadership – Supervise and guide the on-site operations team during shifts and support new staff training and safety mentoring.
• Behavioural Leadership – Set behavioural standards and lead by example on positive behaviours and positive engagement across shifts. Ensure poor behaviours are appropriately managed in a timely manner.
• Managing Daily Tasks- providing daily and weekly workloads for your shifts.
• Scheduling & Holiday Cover- Manage the shift rota to ensure the site always has proper, appropriate cover 24/7 and arrange shift cover for staff sickness, training, or planned time off. Highlight to line management when unreasonable demands are made on providing cover.
• Monitor and Control Operations – With the use of Scada, oversee the start-up, steady-state operation, and shutdown of the gas processing plant unit. Ensure all parameters (pressure, temperature, flow rates) remain within safe operating limits.
• Conduct Routine Inspections – Perform scheduled walkdowns of plant areas to identify leaks, abnormal noises, or equipment malfunctions, and escalate issues promptly when required.
• Record and Report Data – Accurately log operational readings, test results, and observations in shift reports and digital systems for regulatory and operational tracking.
• Respond to Alarms and Emergencies – Take immediate, safe, and effective action in response to alarms, process deviations, or safety incidents, following site emergency procedures.
• Coordinate with Maintenance Teams – Support planned and unplanned maintenance activities by isolating equipment, issuing permits, and assisting technicians as required.
• Ensure Compliance – Operate in line with environmental, health, and safety regulations, as well as company policies and industry standards.
• Maintain Housekeeping Standards – Keep operational areas clean, organised, and hazard-free to promote a safe working environment.
• Operating Procedures – Ensure operating procedures are an accurate record of plant operation and highlight discrepancies to line management
• P&IDs – Ensure hard copies of P&IDs held in the Control Room are red-lined with any discrepancies to installed plant identified
• Participate in Shift Handover – Communicate clearly with incoming and outgoing shift teams to ensure seamless transfer of operational knowledge and status updates.
• Support Continuous Improvement – Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, safety, and reliability, and contribute to problem-solving initiatives
• Import and export of materials- safely load and unload liquid or bulk products into tanker vehicles in accordance with operational procedures.
• Support the delivery of Shutdowns – support the planning of shutdowns and carry out tasks and activities as directed for the delivery of planned shutdowns
• Provide Shift Cover – act as inside operator or as an outside operator as required and in doing so provide shift cover for holiday periods and for sickness
• Interrogate Process Data – In support of fault finding and root cause failure analysis, extract process data from control systems and identify potential causes of trip events.

Company Specific

• Adhere to HSEQ policy, procedures and guidelines always (Safety First)
• Delivering an agenda of continuous improvement across all production sites
• Adhere to Client Energy policies and procedures
• Mentor junior team members
• Deliver quality and timely output to agreed standards
• Perform other duties commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility of this post, for which the post holder has the necessary experience and/or training

Education and Experience

Required Qualifications & Skills

Education

• GCSEs or Equivalent – Including Mathematics, English, and a Science subject (minimum Grade 4/C).
• Vocational Qualification – Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Process Operations, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.

Experience

• 2–3 Years in industrial, utilities, or energy sector operations, preferably within gas processing, distribution, or similar environments.
• Proven ability to operate, monitor, and maintain gas site equipment, ensuring compliance with safety and operational standards.
• Experience in reading and interpreting technical drawings, process flow diagrams, and instrumentation data.
• Familiarity with SCADA systems, pressure monitoring, and emergency shutdown procedures.
• Demonstrated teamwork in multi-skilled crews, with strong communication skills for shift handovers

Work Environment

• Demanding, high-safety environments (Gas and Oil fields)

Essential Skills

Technical & Operational Skills

• Equipment Operation – Proficient in starting, stopping, and monitoring compressors, pumps, separators, and other gas processing equipment.
• Process Monitoring – Ability to read and interpret gauges, flow meters, and SCADA systems to ensure optimal performance.
• Routine Maintenance – Performing basic inspections, lubrication, and minor repairs to prevent downtime.
• Troubleshooting – Quickly diagnosing and resolving operational issues to maintain production flow.

Safety & Compliance Skills

• Hazard Awareness – Identifying potential risks such as gas leaks, pressure anomalies, or equipment malfunctions.
• Permit-to-Work Procedures – Understanding and following site-specific safety protocols before starting any task.
• Emergency Response – Knowing evacuation routes, shutdown procedures, and first-aid basics.
• Regulatory Compliance – Adhering to environmental and industry regulations for gas handling and emissions.

Communication & Teamwork Skills

• Shift Handover Reporting – Clearly documenting operational status, issues, and maintenance needs for the next shift.
• Coordination with Maintenance Teams – Working closely with mechanics, electricians, and engineers to resolve issues.
• Clear Radio Communication – Using concise, accurate language to relay information in real time.

Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills

• Data Interpretation – Using operational data to predict potential failures or inefficiencies.
• Decision-Making Under Pressure – Acting quickly and effectively during abnormal situations.

Desirable Skills

• Strong Technical Aptitude: Ability to operate, monitor and adjust gas processing equipment, compressors and control systems with precision
• Process Safety Awareness: Solid understanding of safety protocols, hazard identification and permit to work systems in high risk environments.
• Mechanical and Electrical Insight: Basic troubleshooting skills for pumps, valves, instrumentation and rotating machinery.
• Control Room Familiarity: Experience with SCADA/DCS systems for monitoring and controlling plant operations.
• Analytical Thinking: Skilled at interpreting pressure, temperature and flow data to optimise performance and prevent downtime.
• Problem Solving Under Pressure: Ability to respond quickly and effectively to operational upsets or alarms.
• Team Collaboration: Comfortable working closely with maintenance, engineering and HSE teams to ensure smooth operations.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Awareness of industry standards such as COMAH, ATEX and environmental compliance requirements.
• Physical Readiness: Capable of working in outdoor, industrial environments and performing manual tasks when required.
• Continuous Improvement Mindset: Proactive in suggesting operational enhancements and efficiency gains.

To apply for the position, click the apply button below or at the top of the page and complete the form. For more information on the role, call our team on 01472 729768 and we will be happy to assist. You can visit our jobs page to see our full list of available vacancies.

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