Process Development Chemist

Placements24; Vereeniging; Hybrid; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Career growth

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Process Development Chemist in Vereeniging, SA, to optimize APIs and intermediates from lab to pilot and commercial scale. The role blends lab development with on-site plant support in a hybrid environment.

You will design experiments, improve yields and purity, troubleshoot manufacturing issues, and contribute to regulatory filings while collaborating with R&D, manufacturing, engineering and QA teams.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 years of experience in pharmaceutical process development or synthetic chemistry.
• Strong theoretical and practical knowledge of organic synthesis and reaction mechanisms.
• Hands-on experience with process optimization, pilot plant operations, and technology transfer.
• Proficiency in analytical techniques for chemical characterization and impurity profiling.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and scale-up chemical synthesis routes for APIs and intermediates from laboratory to pilot and commercial scale.
• Design and conduct experiments to improve process efficiency, yield, purity, and cost-effectiveness.
• Troubleshoot and resolve process-related issues encountered during manufacturing.
• Characterize intermediates and final products using NMR, MS, HPLC, GC.
• Prepare detailed process descriptions, batch records, and technical reports.
• Conduct process safety assessments and ensure compliance with EHS regulations.
• Collaborate with R&D, manufacturing, engineering, and quality assurance teams.
• Evaluate and implement new technologies and methodologies for process improvement.
• Manage project timelines and resources effectively.
• Contribute to regulatory filings by providing process chemistry data and documentation.

Skills

Process development

Scale-up expertise

DoE

Analytical methods

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Organic Chemistry

PhD in Organic Chemistry or Chemical Engineering

Tools

NMR spectroscopy

Mass spectrometry

HPLC

GC

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent entity in the pharmaceutical manufacturing landscape, is seeking an innovative Process Development Chemist to enhance their team in Vereeniging, Gauteng, ZA . This role is central to optimizing and scaling up chemical processes for the synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and intermediates. The Process Development Chemist will be responsible for laboratory-scale process development, pilot plant trials, and troubleshooting manufacturing issues. This position offers a challenging yet rewarding career opportunity for a scientifically driven individual looking to make a significant impact on drug manufacturing efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The ideal candidate will possess strong organic chemistry knowledge, hands‑on experience with process scale‑up, and a commitment to safety and quality. Working in a hybrid capacity, you will balance critical lab‑based development with essential on‑site collaboration and plant support. Your expertise will be key in translating laboratory discoveries into robust, commercial‑scale manufacturing processes, ensuring the reliable supply of vital medications.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and scale-up chemical synthesis routes for APIs and intermediates from laboratory to pilot and commercial scale.
• Design and conduct experiments to improve process efficiency, yield, purity, and cost-effectiveness.
• Troubleshoot and resolve process-related issues encountered during manufacturing.
• Characterize intermediates and final products using various analytical techniques (e.g., NMR, MS, HPLC, GC).
• Prepare detailed process descriptions, batch records, and technical reports.
• Conduct process safety assessments and ensure compliance with EHS regulations.
• Collaborate with R&D, manufacturing, engineering, and quality assurance teams.
• Evaluate and implement new technologies and methodologies for process improvement.
• Manage project timelines and resources effectively.
• Contribute to regulatory filings by providing process chemistry data and documentation.

Requirements

Requirements Master's degree or Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field. Minimum of 4 years of experience in pharmaceutical process development or synthetic chemistry, with a focus on scale-up. Strong theoretical and practical knowledge of organic synthesis and reaction mechanisms. Hands‑on experience with process optimization, pilot plant operations, and technology transfer. Proficiency in analytical techniques for chemical characterization and impurity profiling. Understanding of process safety principles and hazard analysis. Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical-thinking skills. Effective written and verbal communication skills. Experience with statistical design of experiments (DoE) is a plus. Ability to work effectively in a cross-functional team environment.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, excellent health and wellness benefits, a retirement savings plan, and continuous opportunities for professional growth and development. Join a forward-thinking company that is committed to innovation in pharmaceutical manufacturing and values its employees' contributions. This role offers the chance to significantly influence the production of life-changing medicines and work in a stimulating, collaborative environment.