Senior Production Engineer - Petrochemicals

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement annuity

Paid annual leave

Training & development

Relocation accommodation

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Production Engineer for a major petrochemical facility in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. The role is on-site and pivotal for safe, efficient production of high-quality chemicals, with a focus on continuous improvement and staff mentoring.

You will oversee production, drive optimization projects, and ensure strict HSE compliance while coordinating with maintenance, quality control and engineering teams.

Qualifications

• Leadership and people-management capabilities.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills.
• Experience mentoring junior engineers and operators.
• Ability to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Manage and optimize day-to-day production processes in the petrochemical plant.
• Monitor performance, identify issues and implement corrective actions to maximize efficiency.
• Lead troubleshooting using root cause analysis techniques.
• Develop and implement process improvements to enhance yield and reduce costs.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety and environmental regulations.
• Supervise and mentor operators and junior engineers, fostering a safety culture.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Tools

DCS

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a major player in the petrochemical industry, is seeking an experienced Senior Production Engineer to oversee and optimize operations at their state-of-the-art facility in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal . This is a critical on-site role, demanding hands‑on involvement in ensuring the safe, efficient, and reliable production of high‑quality chemical products. The successful candidate will play a key role in driving operational excellence, implementing continuous improvement initiatives, and mentoring junior engineering staff. We are looking for a proactive and technically adept professional with a deep understanding of chemical plant operations and a commitment to safety and environmental stewardship.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and optimize day-to-day production processes within the petrochemical plant, ensuring adherence to production targets and quality standards.
• Monitor plant performance, identify potential issues, and implement corrective actions to minimize downtime and maximize efficiency.
• Lead troubleshooting efforts for production-related problems, utilizing root cause analysis techniques.
• Develop and implement process improvements and optimization projects to enhance yield, reduce waste, and lower operating costs.
• Ensure strict compliance with all health, safety, and environmental (HSE) regulations and company policies.
• Supervise and mentor a team of production operators and junior engineers, fostering a culture of safety and continuous improvement.
• Participate in and contribute to Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs) and Management of Change (MOC) processes.
• Collaborate with maintenance, quality control, and engineering departments to ensure seamless operations.
• Maintain accurate production records and prepare regular performance reports for management.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or a related discipline.
• At least 7 years of relevant experience in chemical plant operations, preferably within the petrochemical sector.
• Proven experience in process optimization, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong understanding of process safety principles and regulatory compliance.
• Experience with Distributed Control Systems (DCS) and other plant control systems.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure in a fast-paced operational environment.
• Must be based in or willing to relocate to Durban, KwaZulu-Natal , and be available for on‑site work.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary.
• Performance-based bonus structure.
• Comprehensive medical aid plan.
• Retirement annuity contribution.
• Paid annual leave.
• On‑site training and development programs.
• Opportunity to work with cutting‑edge technology in the petrochemical industry.
• Company‑provided accommodation options considered for relocators.