Plant Manager (Solids Processing / Granulation)

Fempower; Sasolburg; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global manufacturing firm in South Africa is seeking an experienced Plant Manager to oversee a critical granulation production facility. The ideal candidate will have a degree in Chemical, Process, or Metallurgical Engineering, with 8-10 years in process plant environments and proven leadership in safety and operational excellence. This role includes significant financial and operational responsibilities, making it pivotal for driving efficiency and excellence in manufacturing.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8-10 years' experience in a process plant environment.
• At least 3 years in a leadership/management role.
• Proven experience in solids processing, especially in granulation.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for end-to-end management of a large-scale granulation plant.
• Lead a team of 4 direct reports and ~100+ personnel.
• Manage operational budget and ensure compliance with safety standards.

Skills

Strong leadership in process manufacturing

Financial acumen

Data-driven problem-solving

Education

Degree in Chemical, Process, or Metallurgical Engineering

Job description

Overview

Our client, a global leader in the chemical manufacturing sector, is seeking a highly strategic and results-driven Plant Manager to lead a critical granulation production facility. This is a pivotal leadership role with significant financial and operational accountability.

We are looking for a hands-on leader with a strong engineering foundation and a proven track record in complex process manufacturing environments.

Qualifications

• Degree in Chemical, Process, or Metallurgical Engineering
• Minimum of 8-10 years' experience in a process plant environment, with at least 3 years in a leadership / management role
• Proven experience in solids processing (e.g., granulation, compaction, milling, pelleting) within fertilizers, chemicals, minerals, or pharmaceuticals
• Demonstrable financial acumen with experience managing multi-million Rand operational budgets
• A deep understanding of mass and energy balances and a data-driven approach to problem-solving
• A strong track record in leading safety culture and operational excellence initiatives

Responsibilities

• You will be responsible for the end-to-end management of a large-scale granulation plant, driving world-class manufacturing excellence, safety, and efficiency.
• Providing leadership to a large team of 4 direct reports and ~100+ personnel (including contractors)
• Owning the manufacturing performance against key metrics including production volume, yield, and quality
• Managing a substantial operational budget (OPEX + CAPEX) and optimising the consumption of raw materials
• Driving a proactive safety culture and ensuring full compliance with OHS Act standards
• Utilising your deep process engineering knowledge to analyse mass and energy balances, identifying and implementing continuous improvement projects
• Fostering strong cross-functional relationships with supply chain, procurement, and commercial teams