Process Controller

Elchemie Recruitment; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 201,000 - 279,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remuneration varies between location (

R18 000 - R25 000 p.m. depending on  

Job summary

Elchemie Recruitment is seeking a Process Controller to oversee water treatment plant operations at multiple sites (Vereeniging, Port Alfred, eMalahleni, New Castle). The role emphasizes SCADA monitoring, regulatory compliance, and achieving water quality targets.

You will handle start-up/shut-down, data recording, maintenance support, and daily sampling, while ensuring safety and environmental practices are followed. Shift work is required.

Qualifications

• Matric (Grade 12 or equivalent).
• Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Water and Sanitation, or related field.
• Relevant training and certifications in water treatment system operations.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in water treatment processes or similar operational fields.
• Experience operating SCADA systems for monitoring and controlling plant processes is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Operate and adjust water treatment systems to meet production and quality targets.
• Start up and shut down equipment in line with operational requirements.
• Monitor functionality of pumps, valves, and fittings.
• Identify and perform basic troubleshooting on equipment to restore operation.
• Record plant data including meter readings, chemical usage, CIP records, and downtime logs.
• Report quality deviations or performance issues promptly.
• Perform limited maintenance, including process related and limited mechanical work.
• Support maintenance activities for pumps, valves, dosing units, and SCADA systems.
• Monitor and maintain consistent chemical dosing to ensure process stability and reliability.
• Maintain a clean and organised plant environment, including the work area, control room, and communal areas, and ensure all areas are left tidy after work is completed.
• Record and track process maintenance activities and equipment status for reporting and follow up.
• Conduct daily and weekly water sampling and testing.
• Record all test results and monitor trends to ensure water quality meets production standards.
• Adhere to all site specific safety, environmental and operational policies and procedures.
• Report hazards, incidents, and near misses immediately.
• Maintain correct chemical storage and handling practices.
• Monitor compliance with safety and environmental procedures and document any incidents or observations.
• Ensure all chemical and consumable usage is accurately recorded, monitor stock levels, and flag variances or shortages promptly.
• Assist fellow operators and maintenance technicians as required.
• Provide operational input during plant upgrades or modifications.
• Contribute to team problem-solving to ensure production and quality targets are met.
• Collaborate closely with all departments to ensure seamless operational support and effective cross-functional communication.

Skills

SCADA systems

Water treatment

Troubleshooting

Data recording

Safety compliance

Education

Diploma in Mechanical Engineering/ Chemical Engineering/ Water & Sanitation

Tools

SCADA software

Job description

Job Title: Process Controller
Location: Vereeniging/ Port Alfred/ eMalahleni/ New Castle
Industry: Water Treatment
Type: Permanent
Environment: Water Treatment Processing Plants

About the Role

The Process controller ensures the efficient and reliable operation of the water treatment plant at the assigned site. The role requires strict adherence to relevant legislative and environmental regulations to the site of operation, as well as the company’s ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System. The operator is responsible for maintaining consistent plant performance, achieving water quality standards, and supporting safe, compliant, and high quality operations. This position involves managing and monitoring plant systems using the SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system.

What you’ll be doing

Process Operations

• Operate and adjust water treatment systems to meet production and quality targets.
• Start up and shut down equipment in line with operational requirements.
• Monitor functionality of pumps, valves, and fittings.
• Identify and perform basic troubleshooting on equipment to restore operation.
• Record plant data including meter readings, chemical usage, CIP records, and downtime logs.
• Report quality deviations or performance issues promptly.

Maintenance

• Perform limited maintenance, including process related and limited mechanical work.
• Support maintenance activities for pumps, valves, dosing units, and SCADA systems.
• Monitor and maintain consistent chemical dosing to ensure process stability and reliability.
• Maintain a clean and organised plant environment, including the work area, control room, and communal areas, and ensure all areas are left tidy after work is completed.
• Record and track process maintenance activities and equipment status for reporting and follow up.

Monitoring & Quality Control

• Conduct daily and weekly water sampling and testing.
• Record all test results and monitor trends to ensure water quality meets production standards.

Safety, Compliance & Environmental Practices

• Adhere to all site specific safety, environmental and operational policies and procedures.
• Report hazards, incidents, and near misses immediately.
• Maintain correct chemical storage and handling practices.
• Monitor compliance with safety and environmental procedures and document any incidents or observations.

Stock and Consumable Control

• Ensure all chemical and consumable usage is accurately recorded, monitor stock levels, and flag variances or shortages promptly.

Collaboration & Support

• Assist fellow operators and maintenance technicians as required.
• Provide operational input during plant upgrades or modifications.
• Contribute to team problem-solving to ensure production and quality targets are met.
• Collaborate closely with all departments to ensure seamless operational support and effective cross-functional communication.

What you’ll need

• Matric (Grade 12 or equivalent)
• Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Water and Sanitation, or related field.
• Relevant training and certifications in water treatment system operations.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in water treatment processes or similar operational fields.
• Experience operating SCADA systems for monitoring and controlling plant processes is preferred.
• Valid Code B (or higher) Driver’s License.
• Intermediate computer literacy (Microsoft Office Suite and operational software).
• Physically and mentally fit for shift work.
• Completion of site-specific mandatory training as required under the applicable legislative framework.
• Solid understanding of water treatment processes, including filtration, chemical dosing, and flow control.
• Competent in operating, monitoring, and adjusting plant equipment, including pumps, valves, filters, dosing systems, and SCADA controlled operations.
• Ability to perform basic mechanical maintenance and equipment repairs (e.g., helix pipes).
• Knowledge of preventative and corrective maintenance practices.
• Strong troubleshooting skills for plant operations and SCADA systems.
• Ability to conduct water sampling, testing, and adjustments to maintain quality standards.
• Adherence to the applicable legislative requirements ISO 9001:2015 regulations, policies and procedures
• Correct use of PPE and safe handling of chemicals.
• Problem-solving mindset with proactive fault reporting.
• Clear and professional communication with supervisors and colleagues.
• Team player, honest, trustworthy, punctual, and committed to quality work.

What is in it for you

• Remuneration varies between location (R18 000 - R25 000 p.m.) depending on qualifications and experience

A Few Things to Know

• Shift work will be required
• Must be willing to work at other sites as operationally required.
• Must comply with all company safety, environmental, and operational rules, policies and procedures.