Mid-Senior Petrochemical Professionals

Hire Resolve.com; Durban; On-site; ZAR 700 000 - 1 200 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading petrochemical recruitment agency is seeking experienced professionals for multi-role opportunities in Durban, South Africa. Candidates will lead various functions, including operations and engineering, while ensuring safety standards are met. Ideal applicants have a Bachelor's degree and 7-15 years' experience in the petrochemical field. The roles offer growth into senior leadership positions with competitive benefits, including private health insurance and paid time off.

Benefits

Private Health Insurance

Pension Plan

Paid Time Off

Training & Development

Qualifications

• Typically 7–15+ years of experience in petrochemicals or comparable process manufacturing environments.
• Experience in operations leadership or process engineering.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead safe, efficient plant operations across processes.
• Drive process optimisation and yield improvement initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations and standards.

Skills

Process optimisation

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field

Tools

CMMS/EAM (e.g., SAP/Maximo)

Process historians (e.g., PI System)

Job description

Hire Resolve is assisting petrochemical organisations in hiring experienced petrochemical professionals to support refinery, chemical, and downstream manufacturing operations across South Africa. This is a multi-role opportunity covering several functions within the sector, including plant operations, process and project engineering, reliability and maintenance, SHERQ (Safety, Health, Environment, Risk & Quality) and process safety, quality and laboratory functions, supply chain, and commercial/technical services. These opportunities suit mid- to senior-level professionals and offer clear progression toward senior leadership roles such as Operations/Production Manager, Engineering Manager, Reliability Lead, SHERQ Manager, and broader site leadership positions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead safe, efficient plant operations across continuous and batch processes, utilities, and supporting units
• Drive process optimisation, debottlenecking, yield improvement, energy efficiency, and cost reduction initiatives
• Support or lead capital projects from scope development through execution, commissioning, and handover
• Maintain robust technical documentation and change control (P&IDs, SOPs, operating envelopes, MOC)
• Strengthen reliability through preventive/predictive maintenance strategies, RCA, shutdown/turnaround planning, and asset integrity programmes
• Ensure compliance with applicable South African legislation and site standards, including the OHS Act, Major Hazard Installation (MHI) requirements where applicable, and environmental compliance obligations
• Lead and participate in risk assessments (HAZOP/LOPA), incident investigations, and corrective action close-out
• Manage contractors and safe systems of work (Permit-to-Work, isolations/LOTO, method statements and risk assessments)
• Monitor and improve KPIs for safety, production, quality, reliability, and budget performance
• Collaborate with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Laboratory, Supply Chain, and external vendors to deliver site objectives
• Support audits and inspections; implement and sustain continuous improvement programmes
• Coach and develop teams through training, competency development, and performance management support

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical/Instrumentation Engineering, Chemistry, or a related discipline (relevant certifications are advantageous)
• Typically 7–15+ years of experience in petrochemicals, refining, specialty chemicals, polymers, industrial gases, or comparable process manufacturing environments
• Experience in one or more functional tracks: operations leadership, process engineering, reliability/maintenance, rotating equipment, SHERQ/process safety, projects, quality/laboratory, or commercial/technical support
• Working knowledge of safety and regulatory expectations in high-hazard environments (OHS Act, risk assessments, Permit-to-Work, contractor management; MHI and environmental compliance awareness where applicable)
• Familiarity with common plant systems and tools such as CMMS/EAM (e.g., SAP/Maximo), process historians (e.g., PI System), and standard engineering documentation practices
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive delivery
• Willingness to work onsite in an industrial environment; some roles may involve shift coverage, on-call rotation, or travel depending on site needs

Benefits

• Private Health Insurance
• Pension Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Training & Development