Senior Process Chemist

Placements24; Benoni; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

On-site facility

Health insurance

Pension plan

Career progression

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Process Chemist for our client in Benoni to lead R&D initiatives in chemical manufacturing. You will optimize existing processes and develop new solutions to improve quality, efficiency, and safety, guiding projects from conception to scale-up with a team of scientists and engineers.

The ideal candidate holds a Ph.D. or Master’s in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering with at least 7 years of process development experience, including lab-to-plant scale-up, and

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in process chemistry or process development.
• Proven track record of scaling up chemical processes from lab to industrial scale.
• Expertise with HPLC, GC-MS, and NMR analytical techniques.
• Strong knowledge of reaction kinetics, thermodynamics and process safety management.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and optimization of chemical synthesis routes and manufacturing processes.
• Conduct experiments to evaluate reaction parameters, yields, and product purity.
• Analyze and interpret complex chemical data to identify areas for process improvement.
• Oversee pilot plant trials and scale-up operations, ensuring transfer to full-scale production.
• Ensure laboratory work and process development comply with safety and environmental regulations.
• Mentor junior chemists and provide technical guidance to the operations team.

Skills

Process development

Scale-up

Safety compliance

Analytical problem solving

Education

Ph.D. or Master’s in Chemistry/Chemical Engineering

Tools

HPLC

GC-MS

NMR

Job description

About the Role

Our client is looking for an accomplished Senior Process Chemist to lead critical research and development initiatives within their chemical manufacturing facility in Benoni . This role is pivotal in optimizing existing chemical processes and developing new, innovative solutions to enhance product quality, efficiency, and safety. You will work with a dedicated team of scientists and engineers, driving projects from conception through to successful implementation. The position requires a deep understanding of chemical principles, hands‑on laboratory experience, and a commitment to driving advancements in chemical manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and optimization of chemical synthesis routes and manufacturing processes.
• Conduct experiments to evaluate reaction parameters, yields, and product purity.
• Analyze and interpret complex chemical data to identify areas for process improvement.
• Oversee pilot plant trials and scale‑up operations, ensuring successful transition to full‑scale production.
• Ensure all laboratory work and process development adhere to stringent safety and environmental regulations.
• Mentor junior chemists and provide technical guidance to the operations team.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in process chemistry or chemical process development.
• Proven track record of successfully scaling up chemical processes from lab to industrial scale.
• Expertise in analytical techniques such as HPLC, GC-MS, and NMR.
• Strong understanding of reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, and process safety management.
• Excellent problem‑solving abilities and a creative approach to scientific challenges.

Benefits

• Highly competitive annual salary and performance‑based incentives.
• On‑site role within a state-of-the-art chemical research facility.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous pension fund and other retirement benefits.
• Significant opportunities for career progression and leading groundbreaking projects.