Quality, Health, Safety & Environmental Lead
Quality, Health, Safety & Environmental Lead
Clermont-Ferrand
WHO WE ARE
Syntetica is decarbonising the textile industry through green chemistry recycling — starting with nylon.
Today, most synthetic textiles are made from crude oil, and less than 1% are recycled back into new fibers. We're here to change that. At Syntetica, we’ve developed a patented depolymerization process that breaks down nylon-rich textile waste into virgin-equivalent nylon monomers — while separating materials like elastane, polyester, and cotton for further recycling.
To date, we’ve raised >$35M from leading investors including EQT Ventures, Lululemon and MAS Holdings alongside the family offices of Peugeot, Etam and Indorama Ventures. We’ve already forged key partnerships with major textile players like Victoria’s Secret, Etam Group and Lululemon and have assembled a core team of 25 experts.
We're now scaling industrially with a first demo facility built in partnership with Michelin. If you want to help bring truly circular materials to global scale, and solve one of the textile industry’s biggest sustainability challenges, come build with us!
You will build and lead Syntetica’s QHSE frameworks at our pilot and demonstration plant within Michelin’s site in Clermont-Ferrand, establishing the foundations for safe, reliable industrial scale-up. You will develop practical systems that ensure safety, quality, and compliance as the plant is commissioned and operated, working closely with our engineering and operations teams and coordinating with Michelin to meet site requirements. You balance rigor with pragmatism, adapting systems as the plant and process evolve.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Quality Management
- Establish and own the Quality Management System for the pilot and demonstration plant
- Develop practical processes for document control, deviations, CAPA, change control, traceability, and continuous improvement
- Define quality requirements and acceptance criteria for feedstock, process streams, and products, working closely with Process and R&D
- Support supplier quality, FAT/SAT, and preparation for customer and future certification audits
Health, Safety & Environment
- Establish and own HSE systems for the pilot and demonstration plant, including procedures, training, reporting, and emergency preparedness
- Lead risk assessments and coordinate HAZOP/HAZID actions, ensuring risks are identified, mitigated, and followed through to closure
- Develop safe systems of work covering chemical handling, equipment operation, maintenance, contractors, and plant access
- Support commissioning and operations by identifying and addressing HSE risks as the plant and process evolve
- Ensure compliance with applicable health, safety, and environmental requirements
Overall
- Work closely with Engineering, Process, R&D, and Operations to embed quality and HSE into plant design, commissioning, and day-to-day operations
- Establish systems and ways of working that can scale from the demonstration plant to future commercial facilities
- Act as the internal point of reference for quality and HSE and build ownership of these topics across the organization
- Work with external consultants, laboratories, suppliers, contractors, and regulatory bodies as required
- Invest in our company values and vision and champion them as we grow
BACKGROUND & SKILLS
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Chemistry, HSE, Quality, or a related technical field
- ~5 years of relevant experience in an industrial environment, ideally including pilot, demonstration, scale-up, commissioning, or FOAK projects
- Experience with both quality management and HSE systems, with a practical understanding of how to implement them in an operating environment
- Strong knowledge of industrial risk assessment, process safety, and quality management principles
- Experience working cross-functionally with engineering, operations, and external suppliers or contractors
- Familiarity with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, or equivalent standards is a plus
- Familiarity with French and European HSE and environmental regulations is a plus
- Strong communication and organizational skills; comfortable working in English and French
- Practical, rigorous, and comfortable operating in an environment where processes and priorities evolve
REPORTING LINE
This job will report to the Chief Technology Officer
WHY JOIN US
- Join an ambitious start-up at an early stage. We’re building something new in textile recycling, and the next few years will shape what Syntetica becomes.Work alongside experienced people who aim for excellence. A small team of scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs, with a direct line to the leadership.
- A fast-moving environment. You’ll take on real responsibility early and keep learning and growing as the company does.From the lab to the plant. Our work moves from the lab in Villejuif to an industrial pilot with Michelin in Clermont-Ferrand, so you’ll see your work turn into something real.
- An international outlook. We work with partners and colleagues across Europe, North America and Asia, and English is our everyday working language.
- Competitive compensation and meaningful upside. We offer a competitive salary, health coverage through Alan, and BSPCE equity warrants so you can share in the value we build together.
- Strong culture and inspiring colleagues. We believe the best solutions come from people who trust and challenge one another. We invest in each other’s personal and professional growth, make time to connect beyond day-to-day work, and learn and grow together as a team.
At Syntetica, we are a dynamic group of individuals, united by a common mission, who believe our diversity is key to our success. We are committed to maintaining an inclusive work environment, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination on any basis.
HIRING PROCESS
- Meeting with HR / Talent Acquisition (30 mins)
- Meeting with the hiring manager (50 mins)
- Technical team interview (50 mins)
- Final onsite interviews, coffee with the team, and site tour (2-3 hours)