Chemical Engineer - Plant Operations

Placements24; Centurion; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Attractive salary & annual bonuses

Health and wellness programs

Retirement savings plan

On-the-job training & skill impact

Stable and supportive work environment

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a motivated Chemical Engineer to join the Plant Operations team in Centurion. You will oversee daily operations, ensure safety and efficiency, and drive continuous improvement across chemical manufacturing facilities.

The role emphasizes hands-on problem solving, equipment reliability, and collaboration with maintenance and engineering to boost productivity and quality in a dynamic industrial setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• 3-5 years of experience in chemical plant operations or a similar industrial engineering role.
• Experience with process control systems and data logging.
• Solid understanding of chemical plant processes, equipment, and safety protocols.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and make timely decisions.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for coordinating with diverse teams.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily plant operations and ensure adherence to production schedules and quality standards.
• Monitor plant performance using key metrics and identify areas for operational improvement.
• Troubleshoot process upsets, equipment malfunctions, and production bottlenecks to minimize downtime.
• Implement and manage process safety procedures, including LOTO, confined space entry, and hot work permits.
• Participate in root cause analyses (RCAs) for incidents and deviations, and implement corrective actions.
• Collaborate with maintenance and engineering teams to ensure equipment reliability and implement preventative maintenance programs.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Problem solving under pressure

Decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Job description

About the Role

Our client has an exciting opportunity for a motivated Chemical Engineer to join their Plant Operations team in Centurion . This role is integral to the day-to-day management and continuous improvement of our chemical manufacturing facilities. You will be responsible for ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable plant operations, troubleshooting production issues, and implementing initiatives to boost productivity and quality. This position is perfect for an engineer who enjoys hands‑on problem‑solving and optimizing operational performance in a dynamic industrial setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage daily plant operations, ensuring adherence to production schedules and quality standards.
• Monitor plant performance using key metrics and identify areas for operational improvement.
• Troubleshoot process upsets, equipment malfunctions, and production bottlenecks to minimize downtime.
• Implement and manage process safety procedures, including LOTO, confined space entry, and hot work permits.
• Participate in root cause analyses (RCAs) for incidents and deviations, and implement corrective actions.
• Collaborate with maintenance and engineering teams to ensure equipment reliability and implement preventative maintenance programs.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• 3-5 years of experience in chemical plant operations or a similar industrial engineering role.
• Solid understanding of chemical plant processes, equipment, and safety protocols.
• Experience with process control systems and data logging.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and make sound decisions in a timely manner.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for coordinating with diverse teams.

Benefits

• Attractive salary and potential for annual bonuses.
• Comprehensive health and wellness programs.
• Retirement savings plan.
• Opportunities for on-the-job training and skill development.
• A stable and supportive work environment within a reputable company.