Lead Chemical Engineer - Petrochemicals

Placements24; George; Híbrido; ZAR 1.200.000 - 1.800.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Executive compensation package with a

Health insurance

Strong retirement plan contributions

Generous paid time off

International training opportunities

Hybrid work model

Descripción de la vacante

Placements24 seeks a Lead Chemical Engineer for our George, Western Cape facility. You will spearhead design, optimization, and safe operation of complex petrochemical processes, mentoring engineers and coordinating with internal and external stakeholders.

The role blends on-site collaboration with remote work in a hybrid setup, offering leadership of major projects and opportunities to implement innovative process improvements.

Formación

• Master's or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or related field.
• 10+ years in petrochemical industry; 3+ years in leadership.
• Extensive knowledge of refining, catalysis, and separation technologies.
• Experience leading large-scale projects and multi-disciplinary teams.
• Expertise in process safety management and regulatory compliance.
• Familiarity with advanced process control and simulation software.
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management.
• Willingness to travel occasionally to other sites.
• Authorized to work in South Africa; ideally located in George.

Responsabilidades

• Lead design and implementation of complex petrochemical processes from concept to operation.
• Direct teams of engineers and staff on major projects and initiatives.
• Perform process hazard analyses and enforce safety protocols for zero-incident operations.
• Optimize plant operations to maximize yield, minimize waste, and reduce energy use.
• Evaluate new technologies to enhance efficiency and product quality.
• Serve as technical liaison with internal teams, vendors, and regulators.
• Develop and manage project budgets, schedules, and resources.
• Provide technical support to operations and maintenance teams.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement within the engineering department.

Conocimientos

Leadership

Project management

Process safety

Process control

Stakeholder management

Travel readiness

Educación

Master's degree in Chemical Engineering

Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering

Herramientas

Aspen HYSYS

Process simulators

Descripción del empleo

About the Role

Our client, a globally recognized leader in the petrochemical sector, is seeking an experienced Lead Chemical Engineer to spearhead critical projects at their facility in **George, Western Cape**. This senior role is essential for driving innovation in process design and ensuring the safe, efficient, and sustainable operation of our extensive petrochemical plants. The ideal candidate will possess a deep expertise in petrochemical processes, a strong leadership aptitude, and a commitment to excellence. This position offers a unique chance to influence strategic decision-making, mentor a team of talented engineers, and contribute significantly to the company's ongoing success and growth in the **George** region. The role involves a hybrid work model, blending essential on-site collaboration with the flexibility of remote work.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of complex petrochemical processes, from conceptualization to full-scale operation.
• Oversee and direct teams of chemical engineers and technical staff on major projects and operational initiatives.
• Conduct in-depth process hazard analyses (PHAs) and implement robust safety protocols to ensure zero-incident operations.
• Optimize existing plant operations to maximize yield, minimize waste, and reduce energy consumption in the **Western Cape** facility.
• Evaluate and introduce new technologies and methodologies to enhance process efficiency and product quality.
• Act as a primary technical liaison with internal departments, external vendors, and regulatory bodies.
• Develop and manage project budgets, schedules, and resource allocation for capital and operational expenditures.
• Provide expert technical consultation and support to plant operations and maintenance teams.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within the engineering department.

Requirements

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or a closely related field.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in the petrochemical industry, with at least 3 years in a leadership or supervisory capacity.
• Extensive knowledge of petrochemical refining processes, catalysis, and separation technologies.
• Proven experience in leading large-scale engineering projects and managing multi-disciplinary teams.
• Expertise in process safety management (PSM) and compliance with industry regulations.
• Familiarity with advanced process control strategies and simulation software.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to travel occasionally to other company sites as needed.
• Must be authorized to work in **South Africa** and ideally located in or near **George**.

Benefits

• Our client provides a highly competitive executive compensation package, including an attractive annual bonus, comprehensive health insurance, substantial retirement plan contributions, and generous paid time off.
• Opportunities for international training and conference attendance are available.
• This **George**-based role offers a significant opportunity to advance your career at the forefront of the petrochemical industry.
• Employees benefit from a collaborative work environment, state-of-the-art facilities, and a strong commitment to work-life balance through our hybrid model.