Process Development Chemist - API Manufacturing

Placements24; Willows (CA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement contributions

Professional growth opportunities

Collaborative culture

Job summary

Placements24 in Welkom, Free State, is seeking a Process Development Chemist to optimize the synthesis of APIs and scale processes for commercial manufacture.

You will design experiments, analyze kinetics and impurity profiles, transfer processes to pilot plants, and collaborate with analytical, engineering, and production teams to improve yield, safety, and environmental impact while ensuring regulatory documentation is thorough.

Qualifications

• Degree in Organic Chemistry or Chemical Engineering.
• 3+ years in process chemistry or process development.
• Strong understanding of synthetic organic chemistry & reaction mechanisms.
• Experience in process optimization, scale-up, and tech transfer.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and scale-up APIs and intermediates.
• Investigate kinetics, mechanisms, and impurity profiles.
• Improve yield, purity, safety, and environmental impact of processes.
• Troubleshoot technical issues in development and manufacturing.
• Perform process hazard analyses and implement safety measures.
• Transfer optimized processes to pilot plant and manufacturing.
• Prepare detailed reports, batch records, and regulatory docs.
• Collaborate with analytical, engineers, and production teams.
• Stay updated with advances in synthetic chemistry and process engineering.

Skills

Process development

Scale-up

Analytical techniques

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Organic Chemistry or Chemical Engineering

Tools

NMR

MS

HPLC

GC

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic pharmaceutical manufacturer, is seeking an accomplished Process Development Chemist to join their innovative team based in Welkom, Free State. This role is central to optimizing and scaling up the synthesis of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), ensuring efficient, safe, and cost-effective production. The successful candidate will apply their deep chemical knowledge and practical experience to solve complex manufacturing challenges and drive process improvements. This is a significant opportunity to contribute to the pharmaceutical supply chain within the Free State province, working with a forward-thinking company dedicated to producing high-quality medicinal products.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and scale-up synthetic routes for APIs and intermediates.
• Conduct laboratory experiments to investigate reaction kinetics, mechanisms, and impurity profiles.
• Design and execute experiments to improve yield, purity, safety, and environmental impact of chemical processes.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues encountered during process development and manufacturing.
• Perform process hazard analyses and implement necessary safety measures.
• Transfer optimized processes from the laboratory to pilot plant and commercial manufacturing.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, batch records, and documentation for regulatory filings.
• Collaborate with analytical chemists, engineers, and production teams to ensure seamless process implementation.
• Stay updated with the latest advancements in synthetic chemistry and process engineering.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Organic Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in process chemistry or process development, preferably within the pharmaceutical or fine chemical industry.
• Strong understanding of synthetic organic chemistry principles and reaction mechanisms.
• Proven experience in process optimization, scale-up, and technology transfer.
• Familiarity with analytical techniques for characterizing chemical compounds (e.g., NMR, MS, HPLC, GC).
• Knowledge of process safety and hazard assessment.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and a methodical approach to experimentation.
• Strong report writing and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, attractive benefits package including medical aid and retirement contributions, and significant opportunities for professional growth and skill development. The company promotes a culture of innovation and collaboration. This position in Welkom provides a challenging and rewarding career within the Free State, contributing to the vital pharmaceutical sector.