Production Engineer, eMalahleni

University of Fort Hare; Mpumalanga; On-site; ZAR 650,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Fort Hare in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga seeks a Production Engineer for a permanent role. The candidate will optimise water treatment processes, monitor performance, and drive continuous improvement initiatives while ensuring safe, compliant operations.

The role requires a Chemical Engineering background with 3–5 years of related experience, strong teamwork, and the ability to manage client-facing reporting and on-site plant performance.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in water treatment processes with a proven improvement record.
• Experience with mine-impacted water treatment and membrane filtration operations.
• Fast learner capable of working with little supervision.
• Own transport with valid driver’s license and medically fit.

Responsibilities

• Continuously improve and optimise water treatment processes.
• Maintain administration and control procedures to meet performance objectives.
• Monitor, record and report on process performance and projects.
• Attend client feedback meetings and ensure high client satisfaction.
• Prepare monthly plant reports and participate in client meetings.
• Monitor plant health and interventions to optimise availability.
• Provide process, operational and maintenance expertise.
• Communicate plant health and performance and take corrective actions.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and optimise chemical consumption.
• Lead on-site implementation of process changes and training of staff.
• Ensure safe operation and risk management for plant equipment.
• Develop Standard Operating Procedures as required.
• Support project inputs and commissioning of new installations.

Skills

Water treatment

Process improvement

Teamwork

Time management

Communication

Computer literacy

Fast learner

Education

B.Eng Chemical

Job description

We are seeking a Production Engineer for a permanent vacancy based in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga

Applicants are required to meet the following criteria:

• Chemical Engineering degree (B.Eng Chemical) is preferred
• Minimum of 3-5 years of working experience in water treatment processes with proven track record of improvement initiatives
• Experienced in Mine Impacted Water treatment processes as well as operating and monitoring membrane filtration processes
• The successful candidate must be a fast learner and able to work with little supervision
• Own transport & valid driver’s license, medically fit and no criminal record
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to work as an integral part of a team; be solution and improvement-focused (initiative and motivation)
• Have effective time management skills with a sense of urgency
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
• Computer literate

The successful applicant would be responsible for, but not limited to:

• Continuous improvement and optimisation of processes
• Maintain effective administration and control procedures to meet performance objectives
• Detailed monitoring, record keeping and reporting on all aspects of the processes, and ongoing projects/improvement initiatives
• Attend and manage client feedback meetings and reporting, and ensure client satisfaction by delivering a professional and high-quality service
• Compile Monthly Plant Reports and attend client meetings
• Monitor plant health and proactively intervene to ensure plant availability is optimised
• Effective reporting to the production manager
• Take plant operational responsibility for plant operational performance and wellbeing, whilst ensuring safe and efficient operations of the plant(s)
• Providing Process, Operational and Maintenance expertise
• Communicate plant health and performance and take required action, as and when required, to ensure plant functioning at optimum performance
• Identify and drive optimisation and cost-saving initiatives and efforts
• Track chemical consumption and manage chemical stock levels
• Monitor cost of treatment and optimise where possible
• Identify and implement Continuous Improvement Initiatives
• Lead on-site implementation of process changes
• Deliver on process-related inputs required on projects in accordance with sound established engineering principles and standards to satisfy business requirements, including commissioning of new installations
• Management of risks relating to protection of plant equipment
• Compiling Standard Operating Procedures where required
• Perform training and development of Process Controllers and Supervisors
• General client management and attendance of meetings
• Client communication, interaction and management
• Compliance with contractual quality and quantity KPI’s
• Perform standby duties as required

Salary: Market related