Chemical Engineering Project Manager

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonus structure

Company car or travel allowance

Medical aid and retirement fund

Career growth and development

Exposure to international projects

Dynamic, collaborative work culture

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a seasoned Chemical Engineering Project Manager in Sandton, Gauteng. You will steer major capital projects from conception to readiness for operations, balancing design, procurement, construction, and commissioning with strict safety and quality controls.

In this hybrid role, collaborate across diverse teams on-site and remotely, ensuring on-time delivery, budget adherence, and continual process improvement. A strong engineering background and leadership are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering required.
• Master's degree or MBA is advantageous.
• 7+ years of progressive project management experience in chemical/process industries.
• Proven track record leading large-scale capital projects from conception to completion.
• Familiarity with PMI/Prince2 project management methodologies.
• Knowledge of chemical processes, plant design, and EHS requirements.

Responsibilities

• Manage planning, execution, and delivery of chemical engineering projects from initiation to completion.
• Develop detailed project scopes, budgets, timelines, and resource plans.
• Lead multi-disciplinary project teams, fostering collaboration and accountability.
• Oversee design, procurement, construction, and commissioning phases.
• Ensure projects comply with safety regulations, environmental standards, and company policies.
• Manage project risks, issues, and changes to mitigate impacts.
• Liaise with stakeholders including senior management, clients, and contractors.
• Monitor progress, provide status reports, and manage project financials.
• Facilitate smooth handover of projects to operations and relevant departments.
• Drive continuous improvement in project management methodologies and practices.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

PM Methodologies

Budgeting

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor's in Chemical Engineering

Master's or MBA advantageous

Tools

MS Project

Primavera

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a seasoned and results-oriented Chemical Engineering Project Manager to lead significant capital projects and process improvement initiatives in Sandton, Gauteng. This role requires a blend of strong technical acumen, exceptional leadership, and proven project management expertise. You will be responsible for the entire project lifecycle, from conception and feasibility studies through to design, execution, and commissioning, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the required quality and safety standards. This hybrid position offers the opportunity to collaborate effectively with diverse teams both on-site and remotely, leveraging modern project management tools and communication platforms. This is a strategic position within a growing organization, offering significant responsibility and career advancement.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the planning, execution, and delivery of chemical engineering projects from initiation to completion.
• Develop detailed project scopes, budgets, timelines, and resource plans.
• Lead and motivate multi-disciplinary project teams, fostering collaboration and accountability.
• Oversee project design, procurement, construction, and commissioning phases.
• Ensure all projects comply with safety regulations, environmental standards, and company policies.
• Manage project risks, issues, and changes effectively to mitigate potential impacts.
• Liaise with stakeholders, including senior management, clients, contractors, and regulatory bodies.
• Monitor project progress, provide regular status reports, and manage project financials.
• Ensure effective handover of projects to operations and relevant departments.
• Drive continuous improvement in project management methodologies and practices.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from an accredited institution.
• A Master's degree or MBA is advantageous.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in project management within the chemical or process industries, with a strong engineering background.
• Proven track record of successfully managing large-scale capital projects from conception to completion.
• In-depth knowledge of project management methodologies (e.g., PMI, Prince2).
• Strong understanding of chemical processes, plant design, and EHS requirements.
• Excellent leadership, communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency in project management software (e.g., MS Project, Primavera).
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a dynamic environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a hybrid team setting.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive bonus structure.
• Company car or travel allowance.
• Excellent medical aid and retirement fund benefits.
• Significant opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Exposure to diverse and challenging projects.
• A dynamic and collaborative work environment.
• Potential for international project involvement.