Chemical Engineer - Pharmaceutical Intermediates Production

Placements24; Queenstown; On-site; NZD 98,000 - 163,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical aid plan

Retirement fund

Generous leave

Professional development

Access to advanced facilities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a skilled Chemical Engineer to oversee and optimize the production of pharmaceutical intermediates at our Queenstown facility, on-site. The role emphasizes GMP compliance, process monitoring, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement for safe, efficient production.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, 6+ years of relevant experience, strong organic chemistry knowledge, and proven ability to scale up processes while maintaining

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering is required.
• Minimum 6 years of experience in chemical engineering with focus on pharmaceutical intermediates or API manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of organic chemistry and reaction engineering as applied to pharmaceutical synthesis.
• Experience working in a cGMP environment and knowledge of validation, scale-up and technology transfer.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage and optimize chemical synthesis processes for pharmaceutical intermediates.
• Ensure production processes comply with cGMP guidelines and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor process performance, identify deviations, and implement corrective actions.
• Conduct process validation activities and prepare validation reports.
• Develop and implement SOPs for all production activities.
• Troubleshoot equipment and process-related issues to minimize downtime and maintain quality.
• Collaborate with QA, QC, and R&D departments.
• Lead or participate in PHAs and risk assessments.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement, cost reduction and yield enhancement.
• Train operations personnel on new processes and equipment.
• Manage raw material inventory and ensure timely procurement.
• Maintain accurate production records and batch documentation.

Skills

Process engineering

cGMP

Process safety

Analytical skills

Communication

Teamwork

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a reputable pharmaceutical manufacturer, is seeking a skilled Chemical Engineer to oversee and optimize the production of critical pharmaceutical intermediates at their facility in **Queenstown, Eastern Cape**. This role is essential for ensuring the consistent quality, safety, and efficiency of chemical synthesis processes that form the building blocks of vital medications. The successful candidate will be responsible for process monitoring, troubleshooting, continuous improvement initiatives, and ensuring strict adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). This is an on-site position requiring a strong understanding of organic synthesis, chemical engineering principles, and the pharmaceutical regulatory landscape.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and optimize chemical synthesis processes for pharmaceutical intermediates.
• Ensure production processes comply with cGMP guidelines and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor process performance, identify deviations, and implement corrective actions.
• Conduct process validation activities and prepare validation reports.
• Develop and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all production activities.
• Troubleshoot equipment and process-related issues to minimize downtime and maintain product quality.
• Collaborate with Quality Assurance, Quality Control, and R&D departments.
• Lead or participate in Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs) and risk assessments.
• Identify and implement opportunities for process improvement, cost reduction, and yield enhancement.
• Train operations personnel on new processes and equipment.
• Manage raw material inventory and ensure timely procurement for production needs.
• Maintain accurate production records and batch documentation.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in chemical engineering, with a significant focus on pharmaceutical intermediate or API manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of organic chemistry and reaction engineering relevant to pharmaceutical synthesis.
• Proven experience working in a cGMP-compliant environment.
• Familiarity with process validation, scale-up, and technology transfer.
• Understanding of process safety principles and hazard analysis techniques.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Must be able to work full-time on-site in **Queenstown, Eastern Cape**.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary and potential for performance bonuses.
• Comprehensive medical aid plan and retirement fund.
• Generous annual leave and sick leave benefits.
• Opportunities for professional development and training in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Stable employment with a reputable company in the pharmaceutical sector.
• Access to advanced production facilities and technologies.
• Supportive team environment focused on quality and compliance.