Chemical Engineer - Project Execution

Placements24; East London; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Contract extension potential

Professional development support

Exposure to diverse project challenges

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Chemical Engineer for a contract role in East London to lead capital projects from conception to commissioning. The candidate will plan, coordinate, and oversee all project phases, ensuring delivery on time, within budget, and to safety and quality standards.

The role requires a strong process understanding, PMI-aligned project management, and excellent stakeholder communication with internal teams, contractors, and vendors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering required.
• Minimum 6 years of experience in project engineering or project management within chemical/process industries.
• Proven track record managing capital projects from initiation to completion.
• Familiarity with PMI principles and EPCC phases.

Responsibilities

• Manage capital projects related to chemical plant expansions, upgrades, or new installations.
• Develop project scope, detailed work plans, budgets, and schedules.
• Coordinate with engineering disciplines, procurement, construction teams and external contractors.
• Oversee project execution, ensuring safety, quality, and environmental compliance.
• Monitor progress, identify risks, and implement mitigation strategies.
• Maintain project documentation and progress reports.
• Conduct site inspections and ensure compliance with requirements.
• Facilitate project meetings and communicate status to stakeholders.
• Ensure commissioning and handover of completed projects.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Negotiation

Problem solving

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

PMI / PMP (preferred)

Tools

MS Project

Primavera

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic player in the industrial chemicals sector, is seeking a dedicated Chemical Engineer with a strong focus on project execution to join their team in **East London**. This contract position is ideal for an experienced engineer who thrives in managing capital projects from conception through to commissioning. You will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing all phases of project implementation, ensuring they are completed on time, within budget, and to the highest quality and safety standards. The role requires a deep understanding of chemical processes, project management methodologies, and effective stakeholder communication. You will work closely with internal teams, contractors, and vendors to achieve project objectives. The successful candidate will possess excellent organizational skills, a proactive problem-solving attitude, and the ability to navigate complex project environments. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to significant development initiatives within the **Eastern Cape**.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage capital projects related to chemical plant expansions, upgrades, or new installations.
• Develop project scope, detailed work plans, budgets, and schedules.
• Coordinate with engineering disciplines, procurement, construction teams, and external contractors.
• Oversee project execution, ensuring adherence to safety, quality, and environmental standards.
• Monitor project progress, identify risks and issues, and implement mitigation strategies.
• Manage project documentation, including drawings, specifications, and progress reports.
• Conduct site inspections and ensure compliance with project requirements.
• Facilitate project meetings and communicate status updates to stakeholders.
• Ensure successful commissioning and handover of completed projects.
• Contribute to lessons learned and continuous improvement of project execution processes.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in project engineering or project management within the chemical or process industry.
• Proven track record of successfully managing capital projects from initiation to completion.
• Strong knowledge of project management principles, tools, and techniques (e.g., PMI).
• Familiarity with engineering design, procurement, construction (EPCC) phases.
• Excellent understanding of chemical processes and plant operations.
• Strong leadership, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage multiple priorities.
• Proficiency in project management software (e.g., MS Project, Primavera).
• Must be able to work on-site in **East London** and commit to the project duration.

Benefits

• Competitive contract rate of R per annum.
• Opportunity to work on impactful capital projects.
• Gain experience within a reputable industrial organization.
• Exposure to diverse project management challenges.
• Potential for contract extension based on project needs and performance.
• Professional development support through project involvement.
• Contribution to the industrial growth of the **Eastern Cape**.