James Scales
Humberston,Lincolnshire
Summary
Experienced and safety-conscious field operator with over 15 years of hands-on experience with hydrotreating, reforming, hydrodesulphurisation and chemical units, including plant start-up and shutdown procedures, P&ID and process flow interpretation. Demonstrates strong capabilities in troubleshooting, emergency response, and safety compliance, alongside proficiency in SAP management and permit to work systems. Adept at equipment inspection, maintenance, and fostering team collaboration through effective shift reporting. Committed to driving operational excellence while ensuring environmental standards are upheld.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work history
Field operator – Unifiner, Platformer and Hydrodesulphurisation units
Prax Lindsey oil refinery
09.2023 - 07.2025
- Conduct routine rounds and monitor operating parameters of Unifiner, Platformer & HDS units.
- Coordinate with the DCS operator to maintain stable operating conditions and achieve product quality targets.
- Assist in unit startup, shutdown, and emergency operations according to SOPs and safety guidelines.
- Monitor reactor temperatures, pressures, feedstock rates, and catalyst performance.
- Ensure proper functioning of pumps, exchangers, compressors, and furnaces.
- Prepare equipment for maintenance (isolation, depressurizing, draining) and issue PTWs.
- Perform gas testing and participate in toolbox talks and safety audits.
- Report abnormalities, log daily readings, and participate in troubleshooting efforts.
- Performed routine maintenance for seamless equipment operation.
- Increased safety by adhering to strict protocols during field operations.
- Executed preventative maintenance checks, extending life span of expensive machinery.
- Collaborated with team members for successful project implementation.
5 Shift Senior Operator
Synthomer PLC
01.2018 - 09.2023
- Involved in the management of chemical operations on site.
- Ensure appropriate health and safety regulations are adhered to.
- Supervise a team of 7 operators, organise and assign each member of the team with their tasks for the shift.
- Ensure minimal delays occur within the downstream process that could affect reactor downtime.
- Report problems with quality, process, equipment and materials to management in a timely manner.
- Write work orders for repairs and suggested improvements.
- Perform chemical operations, including monitoring process equipment, loading chemicals, ordering chemicals and performing 5s duties.
- Assist in the development of standard operating procedures for new chemical projects.
- Provide on the job training to new employees.
- Managed multi-disciplinary teams effectively, achieving increased productivity in return.
- Adapted quickly to new technologies for streamlined operations.
5 Shift Process Operator
Synthomer PLC
01.2013 - 01.2017
- Transferring ex-reactor product to holding vessels/ coolers.
- Refining Product through vibratory sieves / Mesh bags to comply with customer specifications.
- Blending of materials.
- Pre weighing raw materials required for reactors whilst wearing necessary PPE and adhering to COSHH.
- Running, Monitoring and sampling Effluent plant.
- DSEAR Training
Apprentice Process Operator
BASF Performance Products PLC
09.2010 - 08.2013
- Throughout this time I have learnt and gained the following;-
- Work towards K.P.I's
- Fork lift licence and experience.
- Working effectively within a team.
- Importance of Health and Safety and working to S.O.P's.
- Monitoring and Controlling batch and continuous reactions.
- Sampling and testing to maintain product quality.
- Weighing out thermal initiators for reactions.
Education
5 GCSE's A-C -
Humberston School
Level 2 & 3 - Process Technology
City & Guilds
Level 2 & 3 - Process Operations
Skills
- DCS interface and field coordination
- Plant startup and shutdown procedures
- P&ID and process flow interpretation
- Troubleshooting and emergency response
- Permit to work system
- SAP management
- Safety and environmental compliance
- Equipment inspection and maintenance
- Team collaboration and shift reporting
Personal Information
- Date of birth: 07/03/94
- Nationality: British
Certification
Driving License : UK Full
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Field operator – Unifiner, Platformer and Hydrodesulphurisation units
Prax Lindsey oil refinery
09.2023 - 07.2025
5 Shift Senior Operator
Synthomer PLC
01.2018 - 09.2023
5 Shift Process Operator
Synthomer PLC
01.2013 - 01.2017
Apprentice Process Operator
BASF Performance Products PLC
09.2010 - 08.2013
Level 2 & 3 - Process Technology
City & Guilds
Level 2 & 3 - Process Operations
5 GCSE's A-C -
Humberston School
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