Chemical Engineer - Plant Operations

Placements24; Durban; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits package

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, seeks a hands-on Chemical Engineer to join the plant operations team. The role emphasizes maintaining and enhancing efficiency and safety across large-scale industrial processes.

You will provide day-to-day technical support, troubleshoot process upsets, implement improvements, and contribute to PSM activities and SOP updates. Relocation to Durban is welcomed for the right candidate.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering required.
• 3+ years in chemical plant operations or process engineering.
• Familiar with DCS and plant instrumentation.
• Willingness to relocate to Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.
• Strong troubleshooting and analytical abilities.
• Knowledge of process safety principles.
• Good communication and teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Provide on-site technical support for plant operations, troubleshooting process upsets and equipment failures.
• Monitor key process parameters and performance indicators, implementing corrective actions as needed.
• Assist in the development and execution of plant turnaround and maintenance plans.
• Participate in process safety management (PSM) activities, including HAZOP studies and incident investigations.
• Identify and implement process improvement projects to enhance yield, quality, and energy efficiency.
• Develop and update standard operating procedures (SOPs) and process documentation.
• Collaborate with production supervisors, maintenance teams, and safety officers.
• Ensure adherence to all company policies, safety regulations, and environmental standards.
• Support the commissioning and start-up of new equipment or process modifications.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Analytical skills

Process safety

Communication

Teamwork

RCA experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Tools

DCS systems

Instrumentation

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a major player in the petrochemical industry, is looking for a dedicated Chemical Engineer to join their plant operations team in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. This hands-on role is vital for maintaining and enhancing the efficiency and safety of our manufacturing processes. You will be responsible for the day-to-day technical support of the plant, troubleshooting operational challenges, and implementing improvements that boost productivity and reduce environmental impact. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of chemical plant operations and a proactive approach to problem-solving. This is an excellent opportunity to work within a large-scale industrial environment and contribute directly to operational success in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide on-site technical support for plant operations, troubleshooting process upsets and equipment failures.
• Monitor key process parameters and performance indicators, implementing corrective actions as needed.
• Assist in the development and execution of plant turnaround and maintenance plans.
• Participate in process safety management (PSM) activities, including HAZOP studies and incident investigations.
• Identify and implement process improvement projects to enhance yield, quality, and energy efficiency.
• Develop and update standard operating procedures (SOPs) and process documentation.
• Collaborate with production supervisors, maintenance teams, and safety officers.
• Ensure adherence to all company policies, safety regulations, and environmental standards.
• Support the commissioning and start-up of new equipment or process modifications.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• At least 3 years of experience in a chemical plant operations or process engineering role.
• Familiarity with process control systems (DCS) and instrumentation.
• Understanding of chemical engineering principles relevant to plant operations.
• Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills.
• Knowledge of process safety principles and practices.
• Ability to work effectively in a plant environment, including occasional shift work if required.
• Good communication and teamwork skills.
• Experience with Root Cause Analysis (RCA) techniques is a plus.
• Based in or willing to relocate to Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.

Benefits

This position offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits package, and opportunities for professional growth within a stable industry. You will gain invaluable experience working on large-scale industrial processes at our Durban, KwaZulu-Natal facility. Our client is committed to fostering a safe and productive work environment.