Chemical Plant Manager

Placements24; Benoni; On-site; ZAR 2,000,000 - 3,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive health insurance

Generous retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly experienced Chemical Plant Manager to lead the Benoni, Gauteng facility. You will direct production, maintenance, quality, safety, and environmental compliance on-site, with a strong focus on governance and performance.

The role requires a bachelor's in chemical engineering, 15+ years in the chemical sector, and at least 7 years in senior operations leadership. A track record in cost control, team development, and regulatory adherence is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or related field; MBA advantageous.
• 15+ years in chemical industry; 7+ years in plant leadership.
• Experience managing large-scale chemical production facilities.
• Strong knowledge of chemical processes, PSM, and environmental regs.
• Proven leadership and financial acumen.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations ensuring targets met safely.
• Develop plans to optimize plant performance and reduce costs.
• Ensure compliance with safety, health, and environmental regs.
• Manage plant budget and capital investments.
• Lead and develop engineers, supervisors, and staff.
• Oversee maintenance and reliability programs.
• Manage relationships with suppliers and regulators.
• Drive continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Decision-making

Financial acumen

Communication

PSM knowledge

Education

Bachelors in Chemical Engineering

MBA advantageous

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading chemical manufacturing enterprise, is seeking a highly experienced and results-oriented Chemical Plant Manager to lead their operations in Benoni, Gauteng . This senior leadership role is responsible for the overall management of the plant, ensuring safe, efficient, and profitable operations. You will oversee all aspects of production, maintenance, quality control, safety, and environmental compliance. The ideal candidate possesses strong leadership qualities, a deep understanding of chemical processes, and a proven track record in operational management and continuous improvement. This is a critical on-site position requiring full-time dedication to managing our Benoni facility and its dedicated workforce. Your strategic vision will be key to driving operational excellence and achieving company objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee all day-to-day operations of the chemical plant, ensuring production targets are met efficiently and safely.
• Develop and implement strategic plans to optimize plant performance, reduce costs, and improve product quality.
• Ensure strict adherence to all safety, health, and environmental regulations and company policies.
• Manage the plant budget, including operational expenditures and capital investments.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of engineers, supervisors, and plant personnel.
• Oversee maintenance and reliability programs to ensure plant equipment integrity and minimize downtime.
• Manage relationships with suppliers, contractors, and regulatory bodies.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence throughout the plant.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or a related technical field. An MBA or advanced degree is advantageous.
• Minimum of 15 years of experience in the chemical industry, with at least 7 years in a plant management or senior operational leadership role.
• Proven experience in managing large-scale chemical production facilities.
• Strong knowledge of chemical processes, safety management systems (e.g., PSM), and environmental regulations.
• Demonstrated leadership, team management, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent financial acumen and budget management experience.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, essential for leadership in Benoni .
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage complex operational challenges.
• Commitment to fostering a safe and productive work environment.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive executive-level salary, performance-based bonuses, and a comprehensive benefits package including executive health insurance, a generous retirement plan, and substantial paid time off.
• This role provides significant leadership responsibility and the opportunity to shape the future of our operations in Benoni .
• We invest in our leadership team through ongoing professional development and executive training programs.