Chemical Engineer - Food & Beverage Processing

Placements24; Upington; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund contributions

Bonuses based on performance

Professional development opportunities

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Placements24 in Upington, Northern Cape invites a seasoned Chemical Engineer to optimize food and beverage processes in a hybrid on-site/remote role. You will focus on product quality, process efficiency, sanitation, and safety across manufacturing operations, partnering with production, QA, and R&D to drive improvements.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in process engineering within food sectors, with strong food chemistry knowledge, process modeling, and problem-solving skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor-level degree in Chemical Engineering or Food Science.
• Minimum 5 years in process engineering in food and beverage.
• Strong knowledge of food chemistry and processing technologies.
• Familiar with HACCP/ISO 22000 and quality systems.
• Experience with process simulation and data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Optimize chemical processes in food and beverage production (extraction, fermentation, preservation, pasteurization).
• Ensure compliance with food safety standards and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and implement process improvements to boost quality and yield.
• Troubleshoot process control, sanitation, and product consistency issues.
• Design pilot plant studies for new product development and validation.
• Collaborate with R&D to scale up formulations and ingredients.
• Oversee chemical inventory and safe handling of cleaning agents.
• Conduct PHAs for food processing environments.
• Develop SOPs for production processes and train personnel.
• Monitor SPC data and drive improvements.

Skills

Food chemistry

Mass transfer

Heat transfer

Fluid dynamics

Process control

Data analysis

Problem solving

Teamwork

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Food Science

Tools

Process simulation software

CIP systems knowledge

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a renowned leader in the food and beverage industry, is seeking a dynamic Chemical Engineer to join their team in Upington, Northern Cape . This hybrid role offers a blend of on-site collaboration and remote flexibility, focusing on optimizing chemical processes within food and beverage production. You will be instrumental in ensuring product quality, process efficiency, sanitation, and safety across various manufacturing operations. The ideal candidate will have a solid understanding of food chemistry, mass transfer, heat transfer, fluid dynamics, and process control as applied to food manufacturing. You will work closely with production, quality assurance, and R&D teams to implement process improvements, troubleshoot challenges, and ensure compliance with stringent food safety regulations. This is a fantastic opportunity for an engineer passionate about the food industry to contribute to the development and production of high-quality consumer products.

Key Responsibilities

• Optimize chemical processes involved in food and beverage production, such as extraction, fermentation, preservation, and pasteurization.
• Ensure compliance with food safety standards (e.g., HACCP, ISO 22000) and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and implement process improvements to enhance product quality, yield, and efficiency.
• Troubleshoot operational issues related to process control, sanitation, and product consistency.
• Design and manage pilot plant studies for new product development and process validation.
• Collaborate with R&D teams on the scale-up of new formulations and ingredients.
• Oversee chemical inventory management and ensure safe handling of cleaning and sanitizing agents.
• Conduct process hazard analyses (PHAs) specific to food processing environments.
• Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for production processes.
• Monitor process data and implement statistical process control (SPC) techniques.
• Train production personnel on process operations and safety procedures.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Food Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in process engineering within the food and beverage industry.
• Strong understanding of food chemistry, microbiology, and processing technologies.
• Knowledge of food safety regulations and quality management systems.
• Experience with process simulation and modeling is beneficial.
• Proficiency in data analysis and problem-solving techniques.
• Excellent communication, teamwork, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively.
• Experience with clean-in-place (CIP) systems and sanitation protocols.
• Familiarity with packaging technologies is a plus.
• Must be able to work a hybrid schedule, with regular presence required at the Upington, Northern Cape facility.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including medical aid, retirement fund contributions, and potential for performance-based bonuses. The hybrid work model provides flexibility, allowing for effective work-life balance. Employees benefit from opportunities for professional development, including specialized training in food processing technologies and relevant certifications. Our client fosters a collaborative and innovative work environment, with a strong commitment to employee growth and well-being. You will have the opportunity to work on exciting projects that shape the future of the food and beverage industry and contribute to producing safe, high-quality products enjoyed by consumers. Join a company that values its people and their contributions to success.