Remote Chemical Process Engineer - Food & Beverage Industry

Placements24; Gqeberha; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement contributions

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly skilled Chemical Process Engineer for a fully remote role based in South Africa or beyond. You will optimize production processes, drive innovation, and ensure product quality across global sites in the food and beverage sector.

Ideal candidates have 7+ years in process engineering, strong knowledge of unit operations, and experience with Aspen Plus or CHEMCAD. Remote collaboration and rigorous adherence to safety standards are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• Minimum 7 years' experience in process engineering in the food & beverage sector.
• Strong knowledge of unit operations relevant to food processing.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and optimize chemical engineering processes in food and beverage manufacturing.
• Develop and implement process improvements to reduce waste and improve quality.
• Run process simulations and modeling to identify optimization opportunities.
• Troubleshoot complex production issues and ensure HACCP/FSSC 22000 compliance.
• Collaborate with global plant operations, QA, and R&D across locations.
• Create and maintain process documentation, P&IDs, and SOPs.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Project management

Remote collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen Plus

CHEMCAD

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent international player in the food and beverage manufacturing sector, is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Chemical Process Engineer to join their global operations team. This is a fully remote position, allowing you to contribute your expertise from anywhere within South Africa or beyond. The role focuses on optimizing production processes, ensuring product quality, and driving innovation in the manufacturing of various food and beverage products. You will be instrumental in enhancing efficiency, sustainability, and safety across multiple production sites. This opportunity is ideal for an experienced engineer who thrives in a remote setting and possesses a deep understanding of chemical engineering principles applied to the complexities of the food industry. Your work will directly impact the company's operational performance and product excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze and optimize chemical engineering processes within the food and beverage manufacturing environment.
• Develop and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and improve product quality.
• Conduct process simulations and modeling to identify areas for optimization.
• Troubleshoot complex operational issues affecting production lines.
• Ensure compliance with food safety standards (HACCP, FSSC 22000), regulatory requirements, and environmental regulations.
• Collaborate closely with plant operations teams, quality assurance, and R&D departments across different global locations.
• Manage process engineering projects, from conceptualization through to implementation, in a remote capacity.
• Develop and maintain process documentation, P&IDs, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Research and recommend new technologies and process advancements relevant to the food and beverage industry.
• Provide technical support and training to site personnel as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in process engineering, with a significant focus on the food and beverage industry.
• Strong understanding of unit operations relevant to food processing (e.g., heat transfer, mass transfer, separation, mixing).
• Experience with process simulation software (e.g., Aspen Plus, CHEMCAD).
• Knowledge of food safety regulations and quality management systems.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Proven ability to work effectively and independently in a remote setting, requiring strong self-discipline and communication.
• Exceptional virtual collaboration and communication skills.
• Experience with statistical process control (SPC) and data analysis tools.
• Familiarity with process automation and control systems is an advantage.

Benefits

This fully remote role offers a highly competitive salary and the flexibility to work from anywhere. Our client provides a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement contributions, and professional development opportunities. You will be part of a supportive and innovative global team, contributing to a company renowned for its commitment to quality and sustainability in the food and beverage sector. This position offers a unique opportunity to leverage your chemical engineering expertise in a flexible, remote work environment while impacting a leading international brand.