Chemical Engineer

Jelocorp; Newcastle; On-site; ZAR 550,000 - 650,000; Full time

Job summary

Jelocorp is looking for a qualified Chemical Engineer in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal. You will oversee and optimize production processes, ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards, while managing production personnel. This role offers a career path into a Production Manager position for candidates demonstrating strong technical and leadership skills.

The successful candidate will have a Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering and extensive experience in chemical manufacturing, with opportunities for continuous improvement and process optimization.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5–8 years' experience in chemical manufacturing or heavy industrial processing.
• Experience supervising production personnel for at least 2–3 years.
• Strong understanding of health, safety, environmental, and quality management.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and optimize production processes while ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards.
• Manage, supervise, train, and develop production personnel.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing operations.

Skills

Process optimization

Leadership and people management

Problem-solving skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

Manufacturing/process management systems

Job description

Job Overview

We are seeking a qualified Chemical Engineer to join a leading mining and manufacturing operation in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal. The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing and optimizing production processes, ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards, and managing production personnel within a manufacturing environment.

This role offers a clear succession path into a Production Manager position for a high-performing individual who demonstrates strong technical expertise, leadership capability, and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor, evaluate, and optimize manufacturing and production processes to improve efficiency, productivity, and product quality.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental, and quality standards.
• Investigate process deviations, production issues, and equipment failures, implementing corrective and preventative actions.
• Develop and maintain process documentation, operating procedures, and technical reports.
• Coordinate daily production activities to ensure operational targets are achieved.
• Collaborate with maintenance, quality, engineering, and operations teams to ensure efficient plant performance.
• Monitor production costs and identify opportunities for process improvements, waste reduction, and operational efficiencies.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing operations.
• Manage, supervise, train, and develop production personnel.
• Conduct performance management, coaching, and leadership development of production teams.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Support strategic operational initiatives and contribute to long-term production planning.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering.
• Minimum 5–8 years' experience within a chemical manufacturing, mineral processing, mining, metallurgical, or heavy industrial processing environment.
• Minimum 2–3 years' experience supervising or managing production personnel.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, process optimization, and production management.
• Knowledge of health, safety, environmental, and quality management systems.
• Experience with production reporting, process analysis, root cause investigations, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong analytical, technical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management abilities.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and manufacturing/process management systems.

Advantageous

• Experience within mining, mineral processing, industrial chemicals, metallurgy, specialty chemicals, coatings, polymers, or related heavy manufacturing sectors.
• Exposure to ISO Quality Management Systems.
• Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or Continuous Improvement methodologies.
• Professional registration with ECSA or a relevant engineering body will be advantageous.
• Experience managing large production teams within a manufacturing environment.

Competencies

• Leadership and people management
• Production and operations management
• Process optimization and continuous improvement
• Strategic thinking and decision-making
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Production planning and coordination
• Strong communication and stakeholder management
• Quality and safety focused
• Results-driven with strong attention to detail
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment

Career Growth Opportunity

This position is ideally suited to a Chemical Engineer seeking long-term career growth into a Production Manager role and offers the opportunity to develop both technical and operational leadership skills within a dynamic mining and manufacturing environment.