Production Chemist

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive annual salary

Performance-based bonuses

State-of-the-art production facility

Professional development and training

Healthcare support and retirement fund

Job summary

Placements24 is partnering with a key Oil & Gas player to hire a Production Chemist for the Richards Bay site in KwaZulu-Natal. The role is on-site and focuses on laboratory analysis, process optimization, and ensuring product quality within a refining or chemical production facility.

You will perform routine analyses, support process control, develop analytical methods, and collaborate with production and engineering teams while complying with safety and environmental regulations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years in a Production Chemist or lab/process chemistry role.
• Strong knowledge of analytical techniques and safety/environmental compliance.

Responsibilities

• Conduct routine and specialized chemical analyses on materials and products.
• Monitor and control chemical processes to meet specs.
• Troubleshoot deviations and implement corrective actions.
• Develop and validate new analytical methods and procedures.
• Ensure safety, health and environmental regulations compliance.
• Maintain accurate lab records and prepare technical reports.
• Collaborate with production and engineering teams to improve processes.
• Manage lab equipment calibration and maintenance.

Skills

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or related field

Tools

GC

HPLC

Spectroscopy

Titrimetry

Process control

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a key player in the downstream segment of the Oil & Gas sector, is seeking a dedicated Production Chemist to join their team based in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal. This role requires hands-on involvement in laboratory analysis and process optimization within a refining or chemical production facility. The Production Chemist will be responsible for ensuring product quality, troubleshooting chemical processes, and contributing to the efficiency and safety of operations. This is an on-site position, offering a fantastic opportunity to work within a vital industrial hub and contribute directly to the company's operational success. We are looking for a meticulous and proactive individual who can make an immediate impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct routine and specialized chemical analyses on raw materials, intermediate products, and finished goods.
• Monitor and control chemical processes to ensure optimal performance and product specifications are met.
• Troubleshoot chemical process deviations and implement corrective actions.
• Develop and validate new analytical methods and testing procedures.
• Ensure compliance with all safety, health, and environmental regulations in the laboratory and production areas.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records and prepare technical reports.
• Collaborate with production and engineering teams to improve process efficiency and product quality.
• Manage laboratory equipment, calibration, and maintenance.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience as a Production Chemist or in a similar laboratory/process chemistry role, preferably within the Oil & Gas or petrochemical industry.
• Strong knowledge of analytical techniques (e.g., GC, HPLC, spectroscopy, titrimetry).
• Experience with process control and optimization.
• Understanding of safety protocols and environmental compliance.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Good communication and teamwork abilities.
• Willingness to work on-site in Richards Bay.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Opportunity to work in a state-of-the-art production facility.
• Exposure to diverse chemical processes within the energy sector.
• Professional development and training opportunities.
• Contribution to a stable and growing industry.
• Medical aid and retirement fund contributions.