Senior Process Chemist - Scale-Up & Optimization

Placements24; Vereeniging; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement fund

Annual leave

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Senior Process Chemist to join a manufacturing and development team in Vereeniging. You will scale-up, optimize, and validate chemical processes for commercial production, translating lab procedures into robust industrial methods.

The role requires expertise in reaction engineering, kinetics, thermodynamics, and PGD/PAT concepts, with a track record in bench-to-pilot-to-commercial development and cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• MSc or PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years in process chemistry focusing on development and scale-up.
• Strong knowledge of organic chemistry, reaction engineering, thermodynamics, and separation science.
• Hands-on experience with pilot plant operations and troubleshooting manufacturing issues.
• Familiarity with PAT and QbD principles.
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills for a multidisciplinary team in Vereeniging.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize chemical synthesis routes for efficient scale-up from laboratory to pilot and commercial manufacturing scales.
• Conduct process hazard analyses (PHAs) and implement safety measures to ensure operational integrity.
• Investigate and troubleshoot process deviations, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions.
• Design and execute experiments to understand critical process parameters and establish operating ranges.
• Collaborate with engineers and production personnel for seamless technology transfer and manufacturing operations.
• Author process descriptions, validation protocols, and reports for regulatory submissions.

Skills

Process chemistry

Chemical engineering

Thermodynamics

Education

MSc/PhD in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an experienced Senior Process Chemist to join their innovative manufacturing and development team in Vereeniging . This crucial role focuses on the scale-up, optimization, and validation of chemical processes for commercial production. You will be responsible for translating laboratory-scale synthetic procedures into robust, safe, and economically viable industrial processes. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of chemical engineering principles, reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, and safety protocols, with a proven track record of successfully managing process development projects from bench to pilot plant and commercial scale, ensuring efficiency, quality, and compliance within a high-volume manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize chemical synthesis routes for efficient and safe scale-up from laboratory to pilot and commercial manufacturing scales.
• Conduct process hazard analyses (PHAs) and implement safety measures to ensure operational integrity.
• Investigate and troubleshoot process deviations, identify root causes, and implement corrective and preventative actions.
• Design and execute experiments to understand critical process parameters and establish operating ranges.
• Collaborate with engineers and production personnel to ensure seamless technology transfer and smooth manufacturing operations.
• Author process descriptions, validation protocols, and reports required for regulatory submissions.

Requirements

• M.Sc. or Ph.D. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in process chemistry, focusing on chemical process development and scale-up.
• Strong knowledge of organic chemistry, reaction engineering, thermodynamics, and separation science.
• Hands-on experience with pilot plant operations and troubleshooting manufacturing issues.
• Familiarity with Process Analytical Technology (PAT) and Quality by Design (QbD) principles.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team in Vereeniging .

Benefits

• Competitive salary and annual performance bonus.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Retirement fund with employer matching contributions.
• Generous annual leave and company holidays.
• Opportunities for professional development, training, and career advancement in process chemistry .
• A stable and secure work environment within a leading manufacturing company in Vereeniging .