Lead Process Chemist

Placements24; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary package

Medical and retirement benefits

Career growth opportunities

Relocation assistance

Access to advanced equipment

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a highly experienced Lead Process Chemist to drive innovation and efficiency in our client’s R&D to manufacturing operations in Tembisa. This senior role will lead development, optimization, and scale-up of chemical processes for new product introductions, ensuring safety, quality, and cost-effectiveness.

You will mentor a team of chemists and technicians, collaborate with engineering and production teams for technology transfer, and stay ahead of new process chemistries.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering required.
• 7+ years progressively responsible experience in chemical process development and scale-up.
• Expertise in organic synthesis, reaction kinetics, and thermodynamics.
• Experience with process safety management (PSM) and hazard analysis techniques.
• Proven ability to lead and manage a technical team.
• Strong problem-solving skills with an industrial focus in Tembisa.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize synthetic routes with focus on scalability, yield, purity and cost.
• Conduct process safety assessments and implement safety protocols for operations.
• Oversee pilot plant trials and troubleshoot scale-up from lab to manufacturing.
• Lead and mentor a team of process chemists and technicians with technical guidance.
• Collaborate with engineering and manufacturing for seamless technology transfer.
• Stay updated on new technologies in process chemistry and chemical engineering.

Skills

Process chemistry

Organic synthesis

Team leadership

PSM & safety

Scale-up

Problem solving

Education

Master's or PhD in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering

Tools

Analytical instruments

Pilot plant equipment

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly experienced Lead Process Chemist to drive innovation and efficiency in their chemical research and development operations located in Tembisa . This senior role will be instrumental in developing, optimizing, and scaling up chemical processes for new product development and manufacturing. You will lead a team of chemists and technicians, ensuring the safe, efficient, and cost-effective production of high-quality chemical compounds. This is a critical position for an individual passionate about translating laboratory discoveries into viable industrial processes, fostering a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement within the R&D department.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize synthetic routes for target molecules, focusing on scalability, yield, purity, and cost-effectiveness.


• Conduct process safety assessments and implement robust safety protocols for all chemical operations.


• Oversee pilot plant trials and troubleshoot issues during process scale-up from laboratory to manufacturing.


• Lead and mentor a team of process chemists and technicians, providing technical guidance and performance feedback.


• Collaborate with engineering and manufacturing teams to ensure seamless technology transfer and process implementation.


• Stay abreast of new technologies and methodologies in process chemistry and chemical engineering.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering with a specialization in process chemistry.


• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in chemical process development and scale-up.


• Demonstrated expertise in organic synthesis, reaction kinetics, and thermodynamics.


• Experience with process safety management (PSM) and hazard analysis techniques.


• Proven ability to lead and manage a technical team effectively.


• Strong problem-solving skills and a pragmatic approach to industrial challenges in Tembisa .

Benefits

• An attractive salary package, reflecting the seniority of the role.


• Comprehensive medical and retirement benefits.


• Opportunities for professional growth and leadership development.


• Access to advanced process development equipment and analytical instrumentation.


• A dynamic and challenging work environment focused on chemical innovation.


• Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates in Tembisa .