Process Development Chemist

Placements24; Richards Bay; Hybrid; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund contributions

Annual bonuses (performance)

Job summary

Placements24 in Richards Bay, South Africa, seeks an experienced Process Development Chemist to optimize and scale pharmaceutical processes for APIs and intermediates. The role blends lab work, pilot plant operations, and strategic planning within a hybrid work setup.

The candidate will lead synthetic route development, manage project timelines, and collaborate with engineering and manufacturing teams to ensure high yields, purity, and safety.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Organic or Pharmaceutical Chemistry required.
• Minimum 5 years in process development or pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Strong synthetic organic chemistry and reaction mechanism knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize synthetic routes for APIs.
• Scale up processes from lab to pilot plant.
• Mitigate process hazards and safety risks.
• Improve manufacturing efficiency and sustainability.
• Characterize materials and products with analytical tools.
• Prepare development reports and scale-up docs.
• Collaborate with engineers and manufacturing teams.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety and environmental regs.
• Stay updated with new process chemistry methods.

Skills

Synthetic organic chemistry

Reaction mechanisms

Analytical techniques

Project management

Teamwork

Communication

Education

Master's or PhD in Organic/Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Tools

Process modeling software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading pharmaceutical manufacturer, is seeking an innovative and experienced Process Development Chemist to join their team in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, ZA . This critical role focuses on optimizing and scaling up chemical processes for the efficient and safe production of pharmaceutical intermediates and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). You will be at the forefront of developing robust and sustainable manufacturing methods, ensuring high yields and purity. This position offers a hybrid work arrangement, allowing for a flexible balance between laboratory work, pilot plant operations, and strategic planning. The successful candidate will possess strong synthetic chemistry skills and a proven ability to troubleshoot and improve complex chemical processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize synthetic routes for pharmaceutical intermediates and APIs.
• Scale up chemical processes from laboratory to pilot plant and commercial production.
• Identify and mitigate potential process hazards and safety risks.
• Improve existing manufacturing processes for efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and environmental sustainability.
• Characterize raw materials, intermediates, and final products using analytical techniques.
• Troubleshoot process-related issues and implement effective solutions.
• Collaborate with engineers, analytical chemists, and manufacturing teams.
• Prepare detailed process descriptions, development reports, and scale-up documentation.
• Ensure all activities comply with relevant health, safety, and environmental regulations.
• Stay current with new technologies and methodologies in process chemistry.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience in process development or chemical manufacturing within the pharmaceutical industry.
• Strong background in synthetic organic chemistry and reaction mechanisms.
• Proven experience in scaling up chemical reactions and optimizing process parameters.
• Familiarity with process safety principles and hazard analysis.
• Proficiency in analytical techniques such as HPLC, GC, NMR, and Mass Spectrometry.
• Experience with process modeling or simulation software is a plus.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and a results-oriented approach.
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize tasks effectively.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including medical aid, retirement fund contributions, and potential for annual bonuses based on performance. The hybrid work model provides flexibility, while the facility in Richards Bay offers a modern and well-equipped working environment. We invest in our employees' professional growth through continuous training, workshops, and opportunities to attend industry conferences. Career progression within our expanding operations is a key focus. Our client also promotes a positive work culture that values collaboration and work-life integration.