Senior Production Chemist: Lead Plant Ops & Quality

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical aid and retirement fund

Professional development opportunities

Exposure to large‑scale manufacturing

Career progression

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Production Chemist for our client’s agrochemical manufacturing facility in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. The role is hands‑on, overseeing production schedules, quality control, and process optimization on site.

The ideal candidate holds a BSc/BEng in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering with 5+ years in chemical production, understands analytical methods (HPLC, GC, titration), and can lead SOPs, safety adherence, and cross‑functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• BSc or BEng in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in chemical production, process management, or a related industrial chemistry role.
• Strong understanding of chemical synthesis, reaction mechanisms, and industrial processes.
• Experience with analytical techniques relevant to quality control (e.g., HPLC, GC, Titration).
• Knowledge of safety regulations and best practices in a chemical manufacturing environment.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot production problems and implement effective solutions.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for effective team collaboration.
• Candidates must be based in or willing to relocate to Nelspruit, Mpumalanga.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage day‑to‑day chemical production operations to meet production targets.
• Monitor and control key process parameters to ensure consistent product quality and optimize yields.
• Troubleshoot production issues, identify root causes, and implement effective corrective actions.
• Develop and refine standard operating procedures (SOPs) for production processes.
• Conduct in‑process quality control testing and analyze results.
• Ensure compliance with all safety, health, and environmental regulations.
• Manage inventory of raw materials and finished products, coordinating with supply chain.
• Collaborate with R&D and engineering teams on process improvements and new product introductions.
• Train and mentor junior chemists and production staff.
• Prepare production reports, including yield calculations, quality metrics, and operational summaries.

Skills

Process management

Quality control

Troubleshooting

SOP development

Team collaboration

Education

BSc / BEng in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering

Tools

HPLC

GC

Titration

Job description

Placements24 seeks a Senior Production Chemist for our client’s agrochemical manufacturing facility in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. The role is hands‑on, overseeing production schedules, quality control, and process optimization on site.

The ideal candidate holds a BSc/BEng in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering with 5+ years in chemical production, understands analytical methods (HPLC, GC, titration), and can lead SOPs, safety adherence, and cross‑functional collaboration.