Chemical Engineer - Bulk Chemicals Production

Placements24; Queenstown (MD); On-site; USD 36,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Medical aid and retirement fund

Paid time off and public holidays

On-the-job training and professional开发

Relocation assistance may be provided

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a proactive Chemical Engineer for a major chemical producer in Queenstown, Eastern Cape. You will focus on optimizing large-scale production units, ensuring safety, and driving continuous improvement across operations.

You will monitor processes, troubleshoot issues, and collaborate with operations, maintenance, and QA teams to meet production targets and uphold high standards of safety and environmental compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• 1–5 years in a chemical manufacturing or production environment.
• Knowledge of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and reaction kinetics.
• Familiarity with process control systems and instrumentation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work in a team and communicate clearly.
• Willing to relocate to Queenstown, Eastern Cape.

Responsibilities

• Monitor plant operations to ensure efficient production of bulk chemicals and meet quality targets.
• Troubleshoot process upsets and equipment malfunctions; identify root causes and implement actions.
• Participate in process improvement projects to enhance yield and reduce waste.
• Ensure adherence to safety protocols and environmental regulations.
• Develop and update SOPs and operating manuals.
• Collaborate with maintenance for downtime and reliability improvements.
• Assist in PHAs and risk assessments.
• Analyze equipment/process performance and recommend modifications.
• Support training of junior engineers and plant operators.
• Maintain accurate production logs and reports.

Skills

Thermodynamics

Fluid mechanics

Reaction kinetics

Process control

Instrumentation

Analytical skills

Team communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a significant producer of bulk chemicals and industrial materials, is seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Chemical Engineer to join their production team in Queenstown, Eastern Cape. This role is focused on optimizing and ensuring the efficient and safe operation of large-scale chemical production units. You will be involved in process monitoring, troubleshooting, continuous improvement initiatives, and ensuring compliance with safety and environmental regulations. The successful candidate will work closely with operations personnel, maintenance teams, and quality control to achieve production targets and maintain high standards of operational excellence. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated chemical engineer to gain hands-on experience in a demanding manufacturing environment and contribute directly to the success of a key industrial facility in the Eastern Cape.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor plant operations to ensure efficient production of bulk chemicals, meeting quality and output targets.
• Troubleshoot process upsets and equipment malfunctions, identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions.
• Participate in process improvement projects to enhance yield, reduce waste, and optimize energy consumption.
• Ensure adherence to all safety protocols, environmental regulations, and company policies.
• Develop and update standard operating procedures (SOPs) and operating manuals.
• Collaborate with the maintenance team for planned and unplanned equipment downtime.
• Assist in process hazard analyses (PHAs) and risk assessments.
• Conduct performance analysis of equipment and processes, recommending necessary modifications.
• Support the training of junior engineers and plant operators on process operations and safety.
• Maintain accurate production logs and reports.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• 1-5 years of experience in a chemical manufacturing or production environment.
• Strong understanding of chemical engineering principles, including thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and reaction kinetics.
• Familiarity with process control systems and instrumentation.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and communicate clearly.
• Awareness of safety and environmental regulations in the chemical industry.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Eagerness to learn and contribute to plant operations.
• Based in or willing to relocate to Queenstown, Eastern Cape.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package.
• Medical aid and retirement fund contributions.
• Paid time off and public holidays.
• Opportunities for on-the-job training and professional development.
• Stable work environment within a reputable chemical manufacturing company.
• Potential for career advancement within the organization.
• Relocation assistance may be provided.