Chemical Plant Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Medical and retirement benefits

Career growth opportunities

Annual bonuses

Stable work environment

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a diligent Chemical Plant Engineer to manage and improve operations at their facility in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The role emphasizes safe, efficient, and compliant plant operations, with hands-on problem solving and collaboration with operational teams to boost reliability.

The ideal candidate holds a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering with 5+ years in chemical plant operations, strong knowledge of safety protocols, process control systems, and leadership.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in chemical plant operations or engineering roles.
• Strong understanding of chemical plant safety and environmental regulations.
• Experience with process control systems and instrumentation.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations of the chemical plant to ensure production is smooth and efficient.
• Monitor KPIs and implement strategies to improve efficiency and reduce downtime.
• Ensure adherence to safety, health, and environmental regulations and company policies.
• Coordinate maintenance activities with the engineering team and conduct regular equipment inspections.
• Troubleshoot operational problems and implement corrective actions promptly.
• Participate in process hazard analyses (PHAs) and risk assessments.

Skills

Process control systems

Instrumentation

Safety protocols

Leadership & communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a diligent Chemical Plant Engineer to manage and improve operations at their facility in Port Elizabeth. This role is critical for ensuring the safe, efficient, and compliant operation of the plant. You will be responsible for overseeing day-to-day activities, implementing process enhancements, and maintaining high standards of safety and environmental stewardship. This is a hands‑on position for an engineer who enjoys working in a production environment, solving practical problems, and contributing to the reliability and success of industrial operations, working closely with operational teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the daily operations of the chemical plant, ensuring smooth and efficient production.
• Monitor key performance indicators and implement strategies to improve efficiency and reduce downtime.
• Ensure adherence to all safety, health, and environmental regulations and company policies.
• Conduct regular equipment inspections and coordinate maintenance activities with the engineering team.
• Troubleshoot operational problems and implement corrective actions promptly.
• Participate in process hazard analyses (PHAs) and risk assessments.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• 5+ years of experience in a chemical plant operations or engineering role.
• Solid understanding of chemical plant safety protocols and environmental regulations.
• Experience with process control systems and instrumentation.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem‑solving abilities.
• Good leadership and communication skills.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and potential for annual bonuses.
• Comprehensive medical and retirement benefits package.
• Opportunities for career growth within plant operations.
• Relocation assistance may be available.
• A stable work environment with a focus on operational excellence.