Production Manager - Chemical

• A well-established international chemical manufacturer is seeking a dedicated Production Manager to oversee the day-to-day operations of the Production Plants and the Tank Farm.

Minimum requirements for the role

• Must have a B. Eng. or B. Sc. in Chemical Engineering
• Minimum 5–10 years' experience in a chemical Ideally continuous chemical process plant/petrochemical plant environment, with at least 3–5 years in a supervisory or management capacity
• Practical understanding of SHEQ Safety, Health, Environment, and Quality protocols is mandatory
• Must be a section 82i appointee in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act OHSA
• Strong technical knowledge with the ability to troubleshoot and resolve operational challenges effectively
• Excellent leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively within a team
• Ability to remain calm and make sound decisions under pressure
• Strong attention to detail with a high level of accuracy and quality focus
• Self-motivated, proactive, and capable of working independently with minimal supervision

The successful candidate will be responsible for

• Ensuring that Production Plants and Tank Farm operations comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act OHSA, local regulations, corporate standards, and ISO requirements.
• Ensuring that Production Plants and the Tank Farm are operated safely in accordance with Plant Operating Manuals and Work Instructions.
• Monitoring the performance of Production Plants and the Tank Farm and achieving safety, health, environmental, and production objectives by managing the activities of Supervisors and staff.
• Managing Production Plants and Tank Farm personnel effectively.
• Planning production runs grade, concentration, and quantity in conjunction with the Sales and Laboratory Departments.
• Ensuring product quality meets customer and sales requirements and that products are consistently available for dispatch in the required quantities.
• Identifying and gathering information from Supervisors and staff regarding plant maintenance issues, liaising with the Plant Engineer on repair schedules, and directing Supervisors to prepare the plant for maintenance activities.
• Serving as the Production contact person for the planning and preparation of plant maintenance shutdowns.
• Verifying all permits to work for hot work and confined space entry.
• Producing weekly and monthly production reports.
• Ensuring Plant Operating Manuals are reviewed annually and updated whenever changes are made to plant operating practices.
• Serving as the Production contact person for capital project activities on site, including providing design input, reviewing operational plans, participating in HAZOP reviews, and scheduling project work.
• Providing induction training for new staff.
• Monitoring the performance of contractors working in production areas and reporting performance concerns to the Head of Production and Engineering.
• Monitoring the performance of subordinates and reporting performance concerns to the Head of Production and Engineering.
• Motivating, training, and developing staff to promote continuous improvement and maintain high morale.
• Carrying out production support standby duties in accordance with the standby roster.
• Troubleshooting problems within the Production Plants, Tank Farm, and Packing Shed to maintain agreed production outputs.
• Holding the authority, as delegated by the Head of Production and Engineering, to shut down the plant if it is unsafe to operate.