Senior Pharmaceutical Process Chemist

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical aid

Provident fund

Performance-based bonuses

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Pharmaceutical Process Chemist for a Richards Bay facility in KwaZulu-Natal. The role focuses on development, optimization, and scale-up of API synthesis, ensuring safe, cost-effective production of high-quality compounds within a state-of-the-art site.

The ideal candidate holds a PhD in Organic or Process Chemistry with at least five years in pharma process development, understands GMP, and can lead cross-functional teams from lab to manufacturing while mentoring

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or related field.
• Minimum 5 years in pharmaceutical process development and scale-up.
• Strong foundation in synthetic organic chemistry and reaction mechanisms.
• Knowledge of GMP/regulatory requirements for API manufacturing.
• Excellent problem-solving, data analysis, and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize synthetic routes for APIs focusing on yield, cost, and impurity control.
• Design and execute lab-scale experiments to establish process parameters.
• Lead process scale-up from lab to pilot plant and manufacturing scales.
• Troubleshoot issues during process development, scale-up, and production.
• Conduct process hazard analyses and implement safety measures.
• Collaborate with analytical chemists to develop and validate analytical methods for in-process controls and release.
• Prepare process development reports and regulatory filing sections.
• Ensure all activities comply with GMP, EHS, and regulatory guidelines.
• Stay abreast of new synthesis technologies and process intensification strategies.
• Mentor junior process chemists and contribute to team growth in Richards Bay.

Skills

Synthetic organic chemistry

Process development

Scale-up

Regulatory compliance

Education

Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry

Tools

HPLC

GC

NMR

MS

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading pharmaceutical manufacturing company, is seeking an accomplished Senior Pharmaceutical Process Chemist to join their esteemed team in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal. This critical role focuses on the development, optimization, and scale-up of chemical processes for the synthesis of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs). You will be instrumental in ensuring the efficient, safe, and cost-effective production of high-quality pharmaceutical compounds. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in synthetic organic chemistry, process development, and a thorough understanding of regulatory requirements within the pharmaceutical industry. This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the manufacturing of essential medicines in a state-of-the-art facility.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize synthetic routes for APIs, focusing on yield improvement, cost reduction, and impurity profiling.
• Design and execute laboratory-scale experiments to establish process parameters and identify critical process controls.
• Lead process scale-up activities from laboratory to pilot plant and commercial manufacturing scales.
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues arising during process development, scale-up, and manufacturing.
• Conduct process hazard analyses and implement appropriate safety measures.
• Collaborate with analytical chemists to develop and validate analytical methods for in-process controls and final product release.
• Prepare comprehensive process development reports, technology transfer documents, and regulatory filing sections.
• Ensure all activities comply with GMP, EHS, and other relevant regulatory guidelines.
• Stay abreast of new chemical synthesis technologies and process intensification strategies.
• Mentor junior process chemists and contribute to the scientific and technical growth of the department in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, Process Chemistry, or a related field.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in pharmaceutical process development and scale-up.
• Proven expertise in synthetic organic chemistry and reaction mechanism studies.
• Strong understanding of process safety, hazard assessment, and risk management.
• Experience with various chemical engineering principles and unit operations relevant to pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Familiarity with analytical techniques such as HPLC, GC, NMR, and MS.
• Knowledge of GMP regulations and requirements for API manufacturing.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities, strong data analysis skills, and meticulous attention to detail.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across functional teams in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal.
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects and deliver results within timelines.

Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Medical aid.
• A provident fund.
• Performance-based bonuses.
• Opportunities for professional development, including specialized training and attendance at industry conferences.

You will work in a modern, well-equipped facility in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, utilizing advanced process chemistry technologies.

The company fosters a collaborative and innovative work environment, prioritizing safety and employee well‑being.

Career progression opportunities are available for high‑performing individuals.