Process & Project Engineer at Tongaat Hulett

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND PERSONAL QUALITIES/SKILLS

The ideal candidate would meet the following qualifications and requirements:

• Grade 12 plus a B.Tech. in Chemical Engineering. (essential)
• 5 years’ chemical or process engineering experience with exposure to a project management within a manufacturing environment.
• Exposure and experience in animal feeds production an added advantage.
• Application knowledge of the SAP system particularly with the modules relating to the production, administrative and transactional process. 
• Application knowledge of engineering and project management software.
• Be able to work efficiently as a self-starter, possess integrity, reliable, assertive and a good team player.

MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB

INTERPRETING AND ALIGNING MANUFACTURING PROCESS PROJECT DELIVERY PROGRAMME

• Attending departmental meetings and participating in discussions to gain an understanding or provide the required level of input into Voermol Feeds business unit strategic Capex plans relating to the improvement of the manufacturing process.
• Conducting research and benchmarking and feasibility studies to compile information on the project that aligns with the broader process/ production strategy.
• Engaging on and facilitating and/ or executing the project design process in consultation with the relevant section leadership and providing guidance and advice on the recommended methodology and approach involving synergy between to enable the delivery of an integrated intervention.
• Consulting with the Engineering Department with regards to the selection of equipment and process control systems that are capable of supporting process design specifications.
• Analysing the risks associated with specific optimisation plans in terms of Quality, Safety and Productivity and/ or the effectiveness of mitigating strategies based on utilisation and performance measures.
• Preparing and submitting for approval the project schedule i.e. Capex motivation/ business case incorporating relevant documents outlining the scope of work, standards and design specifications and project financial provisions.

PROJECT BUDGET AND EXPENDITURE CONTROL

• Controlling capital expenditure and project budgets and monitoring cash-flows against committed expenditure.
• Verifying payment certificates and preparing payment schedules to reflect the project expense during the project life cycle.
• Tracking and reconciling project payments throughout the project life cycle and conducting investigations and resolving variances against budgetary allocations.
• Preparing motivations to support and seek approval of deviations resulting from unforeseen occurrences.

PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION

• Participating in or, conducting stakeholder engagements and project briefings to detail and explain critical project requirements in terms of standards, key project milestones and timeframes and/ or benefits of the change.
• Giving effect to the project design through the onsite implementation of changes to production process in conjunction with the relevant section project resourcing.
• Monitoring and evaluating the performance and adherence of the project team to the technical process specifications and standards and compliance with good manufacturing practices “GMP” and, safety, health and quality procedures.
• Interrogating the cause of bottlenecks impacting the execution and providing guidance, advice, opinions and technical solutions to unblock delays or resolve complex configuration issues to systems, controls or equipment that is critical for maintaining process manufacturing and quality standards during production.
• Scheduling and chairing project meetings with key departments to discuss performance, status of projects, critical timeframes, project costs, etc. and resolving or obtaining agreement or commitment on interventions to enable the achievement deliverables.
• Participating in the conducting of tests or trials to evaluate and resolve discrepancies in the process changes or process equipment configurations to ensure seamless alignment and integration with existing and associated systems and controls.
• Facilitating the process of amendments to designs to ensure modifications or changes are completed.
• Conducting post project commissioning evaluations to assess performance and the need for fine tuning or reconfiguration of the operation or, human interface with the process or, control systems to enable the output/ result to consistently meet manufacturing quality specifications.
• Collating, verifying and consolidating project design documentation, operations and maintenance manuals and standard operating procedures and proceeding to confirm the correctness with the project owner i.e. Production Manager and Process Section leadership.

PLANT OPTIMIZATION INTERVENTIONS 

• Conducting plant studies i.e. time studies, planned job observations, production process observations, etc. to develop an understanding of the potential opportunity to modify processes to achieve optimum results based on the current resourcing, equipment, systems and controls.
• Analysing the results and developing solutions applying chemical engineering principles to derive solutions in terms of changes to processes, controls and systems.
• Executing tests or trials and analysing the effect of the optimization on time, level of efficiency, quality and cost with a view to presenting a detailed plan on the changes.
• Implementing process reengineering solutions and finalizing the completion of the relevant documentation recording the process change or modification and the technical specifications relating to the integrated phases of the process

PROJECT ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT REPORTING

• Preparing consolidated project performance reports incorporating financial and technical process engineering information for presentation at meetings and inclusion
• Preparing responses to queries referring to process engineering project reports.
• Completing purchase requisitions for approval by the Production Manager for project related requirements.
• Updating information/ data on project tracking systems and other related information system platforms.
• Merging datasets to create graphical representations to depict trends in relation to performance, costs and timelines in relation to projects and interventions.
• Maintaining records of project design drawings, project certificates and other relevant specification documentation and the minutes of project meetings and resolutions.

Closing date
30 Nov 2025