Refinery Plant

Staff4Africa; Vaal Marina Community Center; On-site; ZAR 800 000 - 1 000 000; Full time

Job summary

A staffing solutions firm is seeking a Refinery Plant & Operations Manager based in Vaal Marina. This role involves overseeing refinery operations, ensuring SHEQ compliance, and leading production management. The ideal candidate has a Degree in Engineering, at least 10 years of experience in refinery operations, and proficiency in ERP systems. Strong leadership skills and an ability to handle high-pressure environments are essential. The role offers a challenging opportunity to drive operational excellence in the plant.

Qualifications

• Matric / Grade 12 or equivalent is required.
• Minimum of 10 years experience in refinery or petrochemical operations.
• Proficiency in maintaining accurate production data and KPIs.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of refinery operations to ensure compliance and efficiency.
• Develop and implement maintenance plans for equipment functionality.
• Supervise refinery shift workers and manage performance metrics.

Skills

Leadership in refinery operations

SHEQ compliance management

Production and operations management

Maintenance management

ERP tools proficiency

Education

Degree in Chemical, Mechanical or Process Engineering

Tools

SCADA systems

PLC systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Introduction

An interesting vacancy for a Refinery Plant & Operations Manager role exists with our client based in The Vaal Triangle to drive and lead operations at the Plant.

Responsible for overseeing all aspects of refinery operations, including production compliance, maintenance, team leadership to ensure safe, efficient and high quality output.

Duties & Responsibilities

Environmental and SHEQ Compliance: Ensure full compliance with environmental legislation and health & safety standards. Maintain and improve SHEQ systems, attend SHEQ meetings, appoint SHEQ team for the Plant, monitor emissions, effluent discharge and hazardous waste, lead incident investigations and corrective actions, promote sustainable practices and pollution prevention.

Production and Operations Management: Oversee daily operations from used oil intake to base oil output, ensure production targets, quality standards, and delivery timelines are met, monitor plant performance, yields and process health, resolve production issues, optimise plant capacity, track and manage production, maintenance and energy costs.

Maintenance Management: Develop and implement preventative and corrective maintenance plans, ensure equipment functionality, safety and compliance, conduct facility inspections, manage repair and installation activities, maintain maintenance logs and track costs, support plant installations and upgrades and lead new projects, manage project timelines, budgets and implementations in liaison with Project Manager.

People Management & Leadership

Supervise refinery shift workers, workshop staff and lab teams, conduct performance reviews, toolbox talks and disciplinary actions, manage KPIs, budgeting, cost control, stock and supply chain management, quality assurance and continuous improvement, project management.

Desired Experience & Qualification

Matric / Grade 12 or equivalent; Degree in Chemical, Mechanical or Process Engineering; Minimum of 10 years experience in refinery or petrochemical operations; Proficiency in ERP tools (MRP, BOMs, Routing) for planning and reporting, maintaining accurate production data and KPIs for all plant metrics; Implement digitisation and automation initiatives including SCADA & PLC systems for refining plant; Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ERP systems; Familiarity with ISO standards.

• ISO standards
• Ability to work in high‑pressure, physically demanding environments; ability to operate various plant & equipment including compressors, boilers, vacuum systems, crackers, distillation units, water treatment plants, etc.