Introduction

Chemical Engineer – Operations & Projects

Established chemical process manufacturer seeks an experienced Chemical Engineer.

This is a plant-facing operations and projects role. The Chemical Engineer will help Production keep the plant operating safely, reliably and efficiently while also delivering process improvements and engineering projects.

The person must understand production, diagnose plant problems and determine how process conditions, equipment and control systems affect output, yield, quality and stability.

The acid test is whether the person can understand and troubleshoot an industrial chemical process that uses a catalyst.

The role offers a potential development path into future production or operational leadership.

 

Non-Negotiables

We will check:

• BSc in Chemical Engineering.
• At least 8 years of relevant complex process-plant experience.
• Strong understanding of production and plant operations.
• Able to understand and troubleshoot catalytic industrial chemical processes.
• Experience in production support, process improvement and plant projects.
• Strong analytical ability, accountability and leadership potential.
• Own reliable transport.
• Willing to provide after-hours support during plant upsets, shutdowns and commissioning.

 

Reports to: Projects Manager
Department: Projects
Location: Durban
Salary: R1,000,000 to R1,200,000 per annum

Duties & Responsibilities

What the Person Must Be Able to Do

This role is in a complex chemical-processing plant. All duties will take place within this context.

Plant Operations and Production Support

• Understand the complete production process and how its stages interact.
• Analyse plant and production data to identify deviations, losses and constraints.
• Help Production maintain safe, stable and productive plant operation.
• Troubleshoot process, catalyst, equipment and product-quality problems.
• Conduct root-cause analyses and prevent repeat failures.
• Support plant start-ups, shutdowns, commissioning and operational upsets.

 

Process Improvement and Projects

• Identify opportunities to improve throughput, yield, efficiency, reliability and quality.
• Develop practical engineering solutions, project scopes, budgets and implementation plans.
• Manage plant projects from concept through execution and commissioning.
• Plan and oversee process changes, laboratory trials and plant trials.
• Verify that completed projects and improvements deliver the intended benefits.

 

Safety and Operational Readiness

• Participate in HAZOP studies, risk assessments and management-of-change processes.
• Ensure that plant modifications are safe, operable and maintainable.
• Update technical documents, procedures and training material.
• Work closely with Production, Maintenance, SHEQ, contractors and suppliers.

 

Key Job Deliverables

• Keep the plant operating safely, reliably and productively.
• Resolve complex process and production problems.
• Reduce downtime, instability, waste and repeat failures.
• Improve throughput, yield, efficiency and product quality.
• Deliver production-integrated projects successfully.
• Embed improvements into normal plant operations.

Desired Experience & Qualification

Suitable Backgrounds

Relevant employers and process environments include:

• SAPREF and the former Engen/Enref refinery in Durban.
• Sasol, Natref and comparable petrochemical operations.
• SAB/AB InBev, particularly the Prospecton Brewery.
• Industrial alcohol, ethanol and distillery operations.
• Illovo Sugar, Tongaat Hulett and RCL Foods Sugar & Milling.
• Gledhow Sugar, UCL and Umfolozi Sugar Mill.
• Royal Eswatini Sugar Corporation, formerly Royal Swaziland Sugar Corporation.
• Other complex chemical or catalytic process plants.

 

Experience limited to packaging, assembly or straightforward manufacturing will not provide the required process depth.

 

Qualifications and Experience

• BSc in Chemical Engineering.
• At least 8 years of complex chemical or process-plant experience.
• Strong understanding of production and plant operations.
• Experience supporting Production and troubleshooting plant problems.
• Experience in process optimisation and continuous improvement.
• Experience taking plant projects through implementation and commissioning.
• Able to interpret process data, process-flow diagrams and technical drawings.
• Able to provide specific examples of plant problems solved and improvements delivered.

 

Advantageous Experience

• DCS, SCADA or PLC systems.
• Process historians or simulation software.
• CAPEX preparation and equipment selection.
• HAZOP and process-risk assessment.
• Shutdowns, start-ups and commissioning.

 

Personality Summary

 

Analytical: Understands complex processes and identifies underlying causes.

Operationally Grounded: Develops solutions that work in the actual plant.

Accountable: Takes ownership and follows problems through to resolution.

Calm Under Pressure: Remains effective during plant upsets and production interruptions.

Leadership Potential: Has the judgement, maturity and people skills to assume broader operational responsibility.

 

Package & Remuneration

Salary: R1,000,000 to R1,200,000 per annum.

Benefits of This Role

• Work across plant operations, process improvement and project delivery.
• Solve complex and commercially meaningful production problems.
• Make a visible difference to plant performance.
• Potential development path into production or operational leadership.

Interested?

Jobs like this do not come around that often, so make sure you apply now.