Chemical Engineer

We are seeking a qualified Chemical Engineer to join a leading mining and manufacturing operation in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal. The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing and optimizing production processes, ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards, and managing production personnel within a manufacturing environment.

This role offers a clear succession path into a Production Manager position for a high-performing individual who demonstrates strong technical expertise, leadership capability, and operational excellence.

• Monitor, evaluate, and optimize manufacturing and production processes to improve efficiency, productivity, and product quality.

• Ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental, and quality standards.

• Investigate process deviations, production issues, and equipment failures, implementing corrective and preventative actions.

• Develop and maintain process documentation, operating procedures, and technical reports.

• Coordinate daily production activities to ensure operational targets are achieved.

• Collaborate with maintenance, quality, engineering, and operations teams to ensure efficient plant performance.

• Monitor production costs and identify opportunities for process improvements, waste reduction, and operational efficiencies.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing operations.

• Manage, supervise, train, and develop production personnel.

• Conduct performance management, coaching, and leadership development of production teams.

• Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.

• Support strategic operational initiatives and contribute to long-term production planning.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering.

• Minimum 5–8 years' experience within a chemical manufacturing, mineral processing, mining, metallurgical, or heavy industrial processing environment.

• Minimum 2–3 years' experience supervising or managing production personnel.

• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, process optimization, and production management.

• Knowledge of health, safety, environmental, and quality management systems.

• Experience with production reporting, process analysis, root cause investigations, and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Strong analytical, technical, and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management abilities.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office and manufacturing/process management systems.

Advantageous

• Experience within mining, mineral processing, industrial chemicals, metallurgy, specialty chemicals, coatings, polymers, or related heavy manufacturing sectors.

• Exposure to ISO Quality Management Systems.

• Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or Continuous Improvement methodologies.

• Professional registration with ECSA or a relevant engineering body will be advantageous.

• Experience managing large production teams within a manufacturing environment.

Career Growth Opportunity

This position is ideally suited to a Chemical Engineer seeking long-term career growth into a Production Manager role and offers the opportunity to develop both technical and operational leadership skills within a dynamic mining and manufacturing environment.

If you are instredted sedn your cv to ***email_hidden***, [email protected] or [email protected]