Process Chemist - Industrial Scale-up

Placements24; Richards Bay; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Process Chemist to lead industrial-scale synthesis and process optimization at our Richards Bay facility. The role focuses on scaling laboratory processes to pilot and full production levels while mitigating hazards and driving process improvements.

You will work with chemists and engineers to enhance yield, purity, efficiency, and sustainability, ensuring safe operations and compliant documentation across batches and SOPs.

Qualifications

• M.Sc. or Ph.D. in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in process chemistry, chemical scale-up, or chemical process development in an industrial setting.
• Strong understanding of chemical reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, and mass transfer.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize synthesis routes for scale-up from lab to pilot and production.
• Conduct PHAs and implement safety measures for safe operation at industrial scale.
• Design and execute experiments to improve yield, purity, efficiency, and sustainability.
• Monitor and control key process parameters to ensure product quality and specs.
• Troubleshoot production issues, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions.
• Collaborate with chemical engineers to design and optimize equipment and systems.
• Generate detailed process documentation including batch records and SOPs.
• Stay updated with advances in process chemistry and green chemistry.

Skills

Process chemistry

Scale-up

PHA safety

SOPs & documentation

Kinetics & thermodynamics

Education

M.Sc. or Ph.D. in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent player in the chemical manufacturing industry, is seeking an experienced Process Chemist to lead critical projects focused on industrial-scale synthesis and process optimization. This role is central to ensuring the efficient, safe, and cost-effective production of key chemical compounds. The successful candidate will be responsible for scaling up laboratory processes to pilot and full production levels, identifying and mitigating potential hazards, and implementing process improvements. You will join a dedicated team of chemists and engineers at our facility in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal . This is an excellent opportunity for a chemist with a strong understanding of chemical engineering principles and a passion for driving innovation in industrial chemical processes. We are looking for a proactive individual to contribute significantly to our manufacturing excellence in Richards Bay .

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize chemical synthesis routes for scale-up from laboratory bench to pilot plant and commercial production.
• Conduct process hazard analyses (PHAs) and implement safety measures to ensure safe operation at industrial scale.
• Design and execute experiments to improve process yield, purity, efficiency, and sustainability.
• Monitor and control key process parameters to ensure consistent product quality and adherence to specifications.
• Troubleshoot production issues, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions.
• Work closely with chemical engineers to design and commission new process equipment and optimize existing systems.
• Generate detailed process documentation, including batch records, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and technical reports.
• Stay current with advancements in process chemistry, green chemistry, and chemical engineering technologies.
• Collaborate with analytical chemists to develop and validate in-process control methods.
• Train and mentor junior chemists and process operators.

Requirements

• M.Sc. or Ph.D. in Chemistry (Organic, Inorganic, or Physical) or Chemical Engineering.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in process chemistry, chemical scale-up, or chemical process development in an industrial setting.
• Strong understanding of chemical reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, and mass