Plant Chemical Engineer

Placements24; Durban; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical insurance

Provident fund

Training and advancement

Supportive work environment

Job summary

Placements24 in Durban is seeking a hands-on Plant Chemical Engineer to ensure safe, efficient operation of a chemical manufacturing facility. You will monitor processes, troubleshoot issues, and drive continuous improvements with operators and management.

The role emphasizes process safety, documentation, and collaboration with maintenance to optimize plant performance and maintain environmental compliance in a dynamic Durban site.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering. (required)
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a plant or manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of chemical plant operations, unit operations, and process control.
• Proficiency in process safety management (PSM) principles and hazard analysis techniques.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to respond effectively to operational emergencies.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams in Durban.

Responsibilities

• Monitor plant operations, analyze process data, and identify opportunities for efficiency improvements.
• Provide technical support for troubleshooting operational issues, process upsets, and equipment malfunctions.
• Implement and manage process improvement projects, including debottlenecking and waste reduction initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with all safety, health, and environmental regulations and company policies.
• Develop and maintain operating procedures, process safety information, and training materials for plant personnel.
• Work with the maintenance department to ensure preventative maintenance programs are effective and support operational needs in Durban.

Skills

Process monitoring

Troubleshooting

Process optimization

Safety compliance

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Tools

PSM (Process Safety Management)

Job description

About the Role

Our client is looking for a motivated and hands‑on Plant Chemical Engineer to join their operational team in Durban. This role is essential for ensuring the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of our chemical manufacturing facility. You will be responsible for process monitoring, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement initiatives to optimize plant performance and maintain the highest standards of safety and environmental compliance. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a tangible impact on daily operations and contribute to the success of a leading chemical producer in the vibrant city of Durban, working closely with plant operators and management.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor plant operations, analyze process data, and identify opportunities for efficiency improvements.
• Provide technical support for troubleshooting operational issues, process upsets, and equipment malfunctions.
• Implement and manage process improvement projects, including debottlenecking and waste reduction initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with all safety, health, and environmental regulations and company policies.
• Develop and maintain operating procedures, process safety information, and training materials for plant personnel.
• Work with the maintenance department to ensure preventative maintenance programs are effective and support operational needs in Durban.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a plant or manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of chemical plant operations, unit operations, and process control.
• Proficiency in process safety management (PSM) principles and hazard analysis techniques.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills and ability to respond effectively to operational emergencies.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams in Durban.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-related incentives.
• Comprehensive medical insurance and provident fund.
• Opportunities for training and advancement within the organization.
• A stable and supportive work environment focused on operational excellence.
• Proximity to beautiful coastal areas and a thriving industrial hub in Durban.