Process Engineer - Food and Beverage Industry

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); On-site; ZAR 650,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement fund

Performance bonuses

Career advancement opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Process Engineer for a leading food and beverage company in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. The role focuses on maintaining and improving efficiency, safety, and quality across production lines, with hands-on involvement in plant operations.

The ideal candidate has a chemical or process engineering background, 5+ years in food manufacturing, and a solid understanding of HACCP, FSSC 22000, and process control systems. On-site work is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Food Science/Technology, or related field.
• At least 5 years as a Process Engineer in food/beverage manufacturing.
• Knowledge of HACCP, FSSC 22000, and food safety standards.
• Experience with process control and automation systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to thrive in fast-paced manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with project management principles.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and analyze the performance of processing equipment and systems.
• Identify and implement process improvements to increase efficiency and reduce waste.
• Troubleshoot operational problems and minimize downtime.
• Ensure compliance with food safety standards and regulations.
• Collaborate with production, quality, and maintenance teams.
• Participate in design and commissioning of new equipment and modifications.
• Develop and maintain process documentation (P&IDs, SOPs, batch sheets).
• Conduct risk assessments to enhance workplace safety.
• Support Lean/Six Sigma continuous improvement programs.

Skills

Process monitoring

Troubleshooting

Continuous improvement

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Project management

Food safety HACCP

Teamwork & communication

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering / Food Science

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading food and beverage processing company, is seeking a diligent Process Engineer to join their operations in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, ZA. This role is crucial for maintaining and enhancing the efficiency, quality, and safety of their food production lines. You will be involved in process monitoring, troubleshooting, continuous improvement initiatives, and the implementation of new technologies. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in chemical or process engineering, with specific experience in the food and beverage sector, understanding its unique hygiene and regulatory demands. This is an on-site position, essential for direct oversight and hands‑on involvement in plant operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor and analyze the performance of food processing equipment and systems.
• Identify and implement process improvements to increase efficiency, reduce waste, and lower production costs.
• Troubleshoot operational problems and implement effective solutions to minimize downtime.
• Ensure all processes comply with food safety standards (e.g., HACCP, FSSC 22000) and relevant regulations.
• Collaborate with production, quality, and maintenance teams to ensure smooth operations.
• Participate in the design and commissioning of new processing equipment and plant modifications.
• Develop and maintain process documentation, including P&IDs, SOPs, and batch sheets.
• Conduct risk assessments and implement measures to enhance workplace safety.
• Support continuous improvement programs such as Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Food Science/Technology, or a related engineering discipline.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience as a Process Engineer, preferably within the food and beverage manufacturing industry.
• Understanding of food processing operations (e.g., pasteurization, sterilization, mixing, packaging).
• Knowledge of food safety standards and quality management systems.
• Experience with process control and automation systems.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with project management principles.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health insurance, a retirement fund, performance bonuses, and significant opportunities for career advancement within the thriving food and beverage sector in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, ZA. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to a respected company known for its quality products and commitment to operational excellence.