Production Technician

About Metalchemy

Metalchemy is a UK-based SME developing and manufacturing sustainable chemical products for use in cosmetics, active packaging, and healthcare applications. We specialise in patented, plant-based chemical processes designed to be scalable and commercially viable. Our focus is on turning robust science into reliable manufacturing operations that deliver real customer and environmental impact.

About the Role

We are seeking a hands-on Production Technician to support and take ownership of day-to-day chemical manufacturing, packaging, and operational delivery of our sustainable products. This is a production and operations-focused role working directly in laboratory and chemical production environments, combining physical execution with disciplined use of digital systems to manage production, quality, logistics, and purchasing.

This is a hands-on operational role that rewards discipline, consistency, and ownership. It requires comfort with structured, repetitive tasks performed to a high standard, alongside the ability to manage multiple processes in parallel at scale. Candidates who thrive on reliability, measurable outcomes, and continuous improvement tend to perform well in this role.

The role suits someone who is comfortable owning production processes operating at 250+ kg per week, working safely with chemicals and equipment, multitasking across parallel activities, and delivering results through precise execution of SOPs. This is not a research or academic role.

Performance-based development is central to this role. High performers can take on increased responsibility quickly, including ownership of production lines, scheduling, training of new hires, and progression into Senior Production Technician roles within 6-12 months, based on demonstrated results.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and execute day-to-day chemical production operations, involving daily physically active, hands-on work on the factory floor, consistently meeting defined production quotas, productivity targets, and agreed production schedules through reliable, repetitive execution of SOPs to a high-quality standard.
• Execute, control, and monitor SOP-driven production processes for cosmetics, packaging, and healthcare products, maintaining stable output of 250+ kg per week, minimising deviations, and delivering consistent, repeatable quality while supporting measurable scale-up in throughput and reliability.
• Operate, coordinate, and manage multiple pieces of production equipment in parallel, including setup, changeover, cleaning, shutdown, first-line maintenance, and routine equipment checks, ensuring high uptime, controlled processes, and consistent batch quality and deliver relative QC checks and production documentation.
• Maintain full compliance with health, safety, and quality requirements through active participation in laboratory and production environments, including COSHH adherence, high housekeeping standards, and accurate, real-time completion of batch records, production logs, and ISO 9001 documentation.
• Use digital systems to plan, track, and report production performance, logistics, and purchasing, including Microsoft 365, Google Drive, and internal platforms such as Monday.com, ApprovalMax, and Labguru, ensuring accurate data entry, traceability, and visibility of operational KPIs.
• Own packaging, logistics, and fulfillment activities end-to-end, including goods-in, stock management, packing, labelling, palletising, dispatch, shipment tracking, and coordination of occasional local deliveries or collections.
• Take end-to-end operational ownership by proactively identifying inefficiencies, implementing practical improvements, and delivering continuous gains in safety, efficiency, throughput, and data accuracy, while supporting the wider engineering and R&D team.

Physical Requirements

This is a physically demanding, hands-on laboratory and factory-floor role requiring daily manual handling and sustained physical activity. The role includes regular lifting and carrying of materials up to 25 kg, frequent movement and positioning of larger >200 kg tanks and drums using appropriate mechanical handling equipment (trolleys, pallet trucks, drum handlers), operation of production and material-handling equipment, and extended periods of standing, walking, and active work, all in accordance with health and safety procedures.

Qualifications and Profile

Essential

• Level 3–5 qualification (BTEC, HNC, HND, NVQ, Foundation Degree) in chemical processing, manufacturing, engineering, applied science, or similar, or equivalent industrial experience
• Alternatively, a BSc in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Manufacturing, or a related applied discipline (BSc accepted as maximum academic level)
• 1-3 Years experience working in laboratory, chemical production, manufacturing, or regulated industrial environments
• Demonstrated ability to work safely in chemical production environments, applying COSHH requirements, Safety Data Sheets (SDS/MSDS), and risk assessments in day-to-day operations, and proactively contributing to effective risk management and safe systems of work.
• Confident user of Microsoft 365 (Excel, Word) and cloud-based document systems such as Google Drive
• Comfortable learning and using multiple digital platforms and ERP-style systems
• Ability to multitask and manage parallel production activities effectively with strong project coordination, reporting, and record-keeping skills
• Ability to follow SOPs precisely and perform repetitive tasks consistently
• High attention to detail in both physical work and digital records
• Physically capable of meeting the demands of the role

Desirable

• Experience in cosmetics, packaging, healthcare, or materials manufacturing
• Familiarity with ISO 9001, GMP, or similar quality systems
• Experience using production management, purchasing, or laboratory management software
• Full UK driving licence

What Success Looks Like in the First 90 Days

• Independently run assigned production processes safely and consistently
• Maintain accurate physical and digital production records with minimal supervision
• Reliably contribute to weekly production throughput of 250+ kg
• Demonstrate confident use of Microsoft 365, Monday.com, ApprovalMax, and Labguru
• Manage parallel tasks effectively to maintain production flow
• Proactively identify and implement at least one improvement to safety, efficiency, or workflow

Values Alignment

In this role, you will be expected to deliver results at speed, take ownership of outcomes, focus on solutions rather than problems, go above and beyond the minimum when it matters, learn quickly when systems or processes are new, adapt under uncertainty, support teammates, continuously improve through experimentation, prioritise momentum over perfection, and contribute to products, processes, and behaviours that are kind to the planet.

Application Process

If you are practical, reliable, digitally competent, and motivated to build a career in sustainable chemical manufacturing and operations, we encourage you to apply. When applying, please briefly describe a situation where you took initiative to improve a process or deliver results under pressure. Metalchemy is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

Working Pattern

Part-time (4 days per week) during probation, moving to full-time (5 days per week) after successful completion of probation (3-6months)

Working hours: 9:00am–6:00pm

Location: UK, West London, North Acton