Operations Team Leader - Water Process Science

Together we are Trusted to Serve Scotland.

Are you passionate about water quality, process science, and leading high-performing teams to make a real difference?

We're looking for a proactive and motivated Process Scientist Team Leader to join our forward-thinking Water Process Science Team in the North. This is an exciting secondment opportunity to lead a team of highly qualified and enthusiastic Water Scientists, helping to shape the future of water quality performance across the region.

As a Process Science Team Leader, you'll play a key role in embedding our vision within Water Operations North, influencing operational performance, driving continuous improvement, and supporting the delivery of safe, high-quality drinking water. You'll also help create and maintain a positive, safe, and flourishing team environment where colleagues can develop, collaborate, and succeed.

What you’ll do

As a Process Science Team Leader, you'll provide the leadership, energy and direction needed to support a successful team of Water Scientists, ensuring the delivery of industry-leading operational, scientific and technical advice across the region.

You'll lead your team in investigating and completing high-quality root cause analysis for water quality failures, helping to identify solutions and prevent future issues. You'll oversee the implementation and ownership of Water Operational System Plans, while ensuring High Impact System Status Sheets are regularly reviewed and kept up to date.

Working closely with operational colleagues, you'll provide expert support during events and emerging issues at water treatment assets, helping to resolve challenges and maintain water quality performance. You'll also contribute to regional Water Quality Management meetings and lead local discussions, providing insight, guidance and clear direction.

A key part of the role will be identifying opportunities for innovation, continuous improvement and efficiency, while fostering a culture of proactive thinking, collaboration and accountability. Through strong leadership and trusted relationships, you'll create an environment where your team can thrive and deliver excellent outcomes for customers and the environment.

What you’ll need

You'll be passionate about delivering excellent customer service, driving performance, and creating a positive team culture. As a strong people leader, you'll be able to inspire and support others while building effective relationships with colleagues and stakeholders across the business.

You’ll have a solid understanding of water treatment processes and scientific principles, combined with the ability to apply this knowledge to operational challenges and continuous improvement opportunities. You'll be comfortable making informed decisions, taking ownership of issues, and providing clear guidance and direction to your team.

You'll hold a full UK driving licence and be confident working in an agile and autonomous environment, managing priorities and responding effectively to changing operational needs.

Most importantly, you'll bring a proactive mindset, strong communication skills, and a commitment to helping both your team and the wider business succeed. In return, you'll receive the support, development opportunities, and encouragement needed to realise your own potential and help your team thrive.

Looking out for you 

While the work we do is important, we know it’s not the only thing that matters. That’s why we make sure you have everything you need to find a good work-life balance. 

You’ll get plenty of time to recharge with 38 days of holiday every year (including public holidays). And you can even buy five more if you need a little extra time. You can also take paid time off to volunteer in your community.   

When it comes to major life events we have family-friendly policies around adoption, maternity, and parental leave. And for the everyday? We embrace flexible working.  

For your future, there’s our pension (the ‘know-what-you’ll-get-when-you-retire’ kind), as well as life assurance.  

As for some nice extras? You will participate in a company bonus scheme. Not to mention access to SW Splash – handy rewards that can save you money on holidays, bills, and shopping.   

The not-so-small print  

This role will be a Grade 7. If you’re new to Scottish Water, you’ll join us on a starting salary of £45,699. Performance-driven pay progression would then allow you to move through the range to a maximum of £56,669.

If you’re interested in this role – or know someone else who might be - we’ll be accepting applications until midnight on 29th October 2026.

We operate Balanced Hybrid working at Scottish Water and we encourage people to work half their time in a Scottish Water location.

Job offers at Scottish Water are conditional, and will be confirmed on completion of our pre-employment screening, e.g. referencing, criminal record checks, license checks, etc. Screening is conducted on our behalf by a third party, and must be completed

before your start date. Don’t worry - we’ll only start these checks once you’ve accepted an offer. 

A few final things worth knowing…

Research shows that some people avoid applying for jobs unless they can meet every single criteria. If you’re interested in this job, but don’t tick all the boxes, apply anyway! We hardly ever hire people who can do every part of a job from Day One. Everyone has a learning curve. So don’t rule yourself out!

Let us know if there are any changes we can make to our recruitment process to help you perform at your best. Lots of our people have disabilities or neurodiverse conditions (including some of our recruiters!). We're also aware that some people might be experiencing temporary challenges because of life events, like menopause. We’re very used to making adjustments, so please don’t be afraid to ask.

As part of our commitment to developing a flourishing Scotland, it’s important that all our employees are Scottish taxpayers. If you join us, your home address will need to be in Scotland. If you don’t already live here, you'll need to commit to moving here within your first three months.

Candidates should be aware that a valid UK driving licence is required for driving on Scottish Water business and claiming business mileage expenses.

Please note, Scottish Water takes the safety, health and wellbeing of our employees, colleagues and customers very seriously and as such you may be subject to Drug & Alcohol testing in line with our policy.

Finally (finally!), candidates who haven’t submitted an application in the last 12 months will have their records removed from our recruitment database. You won’t need to do anything. Your data will be automatically deleted. 

We’re here to help. Ask us anything at SWRecruitment@ScottishWater.co.uk