Production Chemical Engineer

Placements24; Bloemfontein; On-site; ZAR 480,000 - 640,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical benefits

Retirement plan

Job summary

Placements24 invites applications for a Production Chemical Engineer in Bloemfontein. You will optimize daily production processes, drive efficiency, and maintain high product quality while working with operators and supervisors.

This on-site role emphasizes safety, process improvement, SOP development, and collaboration with maintenance and planning teams to support continuous manufacturing excellence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• 1–3 years of production/manufacturing experience in chemicals.
• Strong understanding of chemical engineering principles.
• Familiarity with process control and instrumentation.
• Proficient in MS Excel for data analysis.
• Good communication and teamwork skills.
• Commitment to safety and environmental standards.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and optimize production processes to improve efficiency and yield.
• Implement process changes to enhance product quality.
• Troubleshoot production issues and provide technical support to operations.
• Ensure adherence to safety, health, and environmental regulations.
• Collaborate with maintenance for equipment reliability and preventive maintenance.
• Participate in production planning and scheduling activities.
• Develop and update standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Conduct performance analysis of runs and equipment.
• Assist in training of new plant operators.
• Support new product trials and process scale-up activities.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Teamwork

Communication

Excel data analysis

Process optimization

Continuous improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Tools

MS Excel

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading manufacturer of industrial chemicals, is seeking a motivated Production Chemical Engineer to join their team in Bloemfontein, Free State. This role focuses on optimizing daily production processes, ensuring efficient resource utilization, and maintaining high product quality. You will work closely with plant operators and supervisors to troubleshoot production issues, implement process improvements, and ensure safe and compliant operations. This is a hands‑on, on‑site position that offers invaluable experience in a dynamic manufacturing environment. The ideal candidate will possess strong technical skills, a proactive approach to problem-solving, and a commitment to operational excellence in the heart of Bloemfontein.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor and analyze production processes to identify areas for improvement.
• Implement process changes to enhance efficiency, yield, and product quality.
• Troubleshoot production issues and provide timely technical support to the operations team.
• Ensure adherence to safety, health, and environmental regulations.
• Collaborate with maintenance teams on equipment reliability and preventative maintenance programs.
• Participate in production planning and scheduling activities.
• Develop and update standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Conduct performance analysis of production runs and equipment.
• Assist in the training of new plant operators.
• Support new product trials and process scale‑up activities.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• 1-3 years of experience in a production or manufacturing environment, preferably in the chemical industry.
• Good understanding of chemical engineering principles.
• Familiarity with process control and instrumentation.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities.
• Effective communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively on‑site.
• Awareness of safety and environmental best practices in manufacturing.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite, especially Excel for data analysis.
• A keen interest in process optimization and continuous improvement.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive medical and retirement benefits, and opportunities for career growth within the organization.

This role provides direct exposure to day‑to‑day plant operations in Bloemfontein, contributing to practical engineering experience and professional development.