As a specialist chemical recruiter with a global presence, we have a deep understanding of the market and have built an excellent network of candidates; our international experience and reach has enabled us to recruit the best candidates for top-level chemicals businesses. Our teams cover all disciplines and a broad range of seniority, from Commercial, Procurement and Supply Chain, to R&D Technology Development, Project Engineering / Management and Maintenance & Operations.
We recruit for the full value chain in Chemicals
Working across the full value chain of Bulk Chemicals (Petrochemicals / Hydrocarbons), Speciality (Fine Chemicals), and across the full Circular Economy of the sector, including chemical and mechanical recycling. Our knowledge of process development and project execution combined with our specialist understanding of regulations such as COMAH & ATEX help us to find the best candidates for our clients’ projects.
Polymers, Petrochemicals & Hydrocarbons
We've supported a high number of major operators for key hires in new technology development / R&D. Our support encompasses:
- Bulk polymer & olefin operators
High volume commodity chemical manufacturing facilities need to have strong operations, maintenance and project talent to satisfy their every changing workforce strategies. NES Fircroft currently work with 50% of the top 10 global bulk manufacturers in a variety of markets including bulk petrochemicals, polymers, inorganic chemicals, fertilizers and other derivatives.
- Refineries
We understand that the hydrocarbon market is one of the most effected when it comes to meeting net zero targets. We’ll source expertise to optimise your refining operation, whether your processes involve catalytic cracking, thermal cracking or hydrocracking. The talent we supply work across hydrocarbon separation, conversion and treatment to ensure that knowledge is shared and competitive advantage gained for your business in reaching your carbon reduction and product output targets. Our recruitment teams know exactly what goes into a successful plant turnaround and will get the expertise you need to site to ensure a seamless turnaround project execution with minimal downtime.
- Agrochemicals (ammonia, fertilisers)
We know that the global agriculture industry depends on synthetic chemicals, and that pesticides, fertilisers and soil conditioners are an integral part of maintaining the food supply chain. Our candidate networks will ensure a healthy operational output and that your agrochemicals are commercially sound. From plant-growth hormones to plant protection chemicals, we’ll secure your talent pipeline to maintain a sustainable agrochemical output.
- Industrial gases
The majority of chemical sites require large volumes of gas to support the manufacturing process and often the infrastructures required can create a major challenge in itself. Our team has experience in the project development and ongoing maintenance of cryogenic equipment, air separation units and advanced gas processing equipment. Our specialist teams within project Engineering and maintenance can quickly engage and mobilise hard to find talent anywhere in the world.
Our recruitment teams are poised to support businesses manufacturing high volume products with busy production teams and commercial functions. Our support encompasses:
- Fine chemicals
The multi-billion global speciality market is made up of coatings, functional polymers, adhesives, additives and pigments. As one of the most competitive and higher margin sectors of the chemicals industry, we understand companies are looking for the next generation of talent to ensure it embraces the opportunities within the market to improve sustainability goals. Our speciality chemicals experts have an in-depth knowledge of what is required at all stages of the product life cycle.
- Chemical distribution
Our talent pools are well versed in managing large product portfolios and know what it takes to stand out from the competition to ensure the market-access of your chemicals. We’ve supported chemical distribution businesses on a global level and through leveraging our international reach have helped businesses to break into new geographies. From pharmaceuticals to the FMCG market, we’ve supplied staff to a huge variety of chemical distributors and helped them to grow their business.
- Lithium production
We are a key supplier to the lithium industry. We provide staffing services to major lithium extraction operations and processing facilities, recruiting for a variety of different jobs from project management to mechanical engineering.
The future of the chemical industry relies on the utilisation of all available global resources, reducing waste products and protecting the planet. This global need is supported by national and international legislation, for example the EU Circular Economy Directive; as an international business NES are keen to be at the forefront of this challenge. As our industry develops new technologies and principles, we ensure our consultants, network and expertise keep pace with the requirements of our clients to support growing challenges in R&D, process development, global procurement and plant efficiencies.
We understand that it’s more important than ever to find the right mix of technical knowledge, forward thinking mind sets and behavioural excellence in the recruitment process. Our discipline-specific recruiters hire for:
- Advanced recycling (polymer, monomer, naptha, syngas, plastics)
- Thermochemical recycling
- Chemical recycling
- Mechanical recycling
- Waste to chemicals
Focus technologies include:
- Bio Catalysis
- Bio Hydrocarbons
- Bio Materials
- Food Waste to Chemicals
- Packaging
- Pilot Plants
- Polymer Recycling
- Battery Materials
- Renewable Feedstocks
- Technology Development
- Vegetable Oil Refining
Executive Search
As the world strives for a more sustainable future, we are witnessing major businesses undergoing significant transformations with major managerial and Board changes.
The right leader will dramatically alter your company’s innovation and drive culture from the top down; hiring a new Board member therefore is a pivotal and potentially risky time. With international candidate reach, we will find leaders with agility, courage and the tenacity to address complex challenges that deliver a tangible business outcome and maintain stakeholders integrity.
Broad Experience
We have supported companies of all sizes, from supplying staff to mega projects for major chemicals operators, to building core functions within start-up companies and shaping the hiring strategies of technology providers.
Our areas of recruitment expertise include:
- Corporate / C-suite
- Commercial
- Procurement & Supply Chain
- Production, Operations & Maintenance
- Technical Engineering
- Project Management
- R&D and Process Technology Development
Chemical recruitment experience
Our search methodology is a detailed process during which time we develop an in-depth understanding of our clients' requirements and culture to effectively allow us to operate as an extension of their business.
Case Study - Chemicals
Global Chemicals Expertise
Our client is a privately owned speciality chemicals company with decades of experience. They have a very unique set-up and global outreach
Case Study - Chemicals
Sourcing A Entire Chemicals Department - Shanghai
The multi billion-dollar company produces polyurethane and polycarbonate raw based materials and possesses three world class innovation hubs
Case Study - CRISP Refinery
Singapore - Staffing the CRISP Project
We are just one of four accredited agencies who partner with our client in Singapore.
Case Study - Downstream
Transitioning a Contingent Workforce
Our client needed support during a period of workforce transition which resulted in 30 new contingent workers onto their site.
Case Study - Downstream
Supporting With In-Country Visa Sponsorship
Our client engaged the services and experience of NES Fircroft to provide assistance in building the cost model for qualified personnel to support the project
Case Study - Chemicals
Supporting an agrochemical manufacturer with reliable direct recruitment
The client is a leading manufacturer of agrochemical products for end consumers in the home and garden sector, including potting soils, lawn seed, and fertiliser
Case Study - Thailand Downstream
Thailand - Volume Visa & Work Permit Provision
Staffing a clean fuels project for an international EPC company.
Case Study - Downstream
Staffing Contractors for a Bio-Diesel Facility
Based in Geismar, Louisiana, our client operates a renewable diesel production facility which disposes grease from food waste – comparatively the company’s refining processes are considered to be 10 times cleaner than burning diesel.
Our Recruitment Services
Latest Chemicals Jobs
Regions we operate in
The Americas
We have a large network of offices across Canada, coast-to-coast USA, The Caribbean and Latin America
Middle East
Our teams are committed to supporting nationalisation strategies and partner with the region's biggest energy companies
Europe & CIS
Our office network spans the European continent, from Oslo to Paris, and contains our global head-quarters in Manchester
Asia
From North to South East Asia, we have a broad array of offices to offer clients a truly localised and on the ground recruitment service
Oceania
We have offices across Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea, holding prime vendor status on some of the region's largest engineering projects
Africa
NES Fircroft has extensive experience supporting the continent’s major oil & gas developments and has mobilised over 1,000 technically skilled personnel to remote locations and offshore.