Plant Manager (Chemical Manufacturing)

TL;DR

Plant Manager (Chemical Manufacturing): Leading the overall performance, operational excellence, and continuous improvement of a chemical production facility with an accent on safety culture, asset reliability, and cost efficiency. Focus on driving strategic plant leadership, managing full P&L, and optimizing supply chain and production processes.

Location: Onsite in Kempton Park, South Africa

Company

hirify.global is a global provider of chemical solutions for water-intensive industries.

What you will do

• Lead and execute the plant’s operational strategy to achieve production, cost, quality, and safety targets.
• Own full plant financial performance, including operating costs, maintenance budgets, and inventory optimization.
• Oversee preventive and predictive maintenance strategies to ensure asset integrity and lifecycle management.
• Provide strategic oversight of procurement, engineering stores, and supply chain planning to align with demand forecasts.
• Drive process efficiency, yield, and throughput through best practices in chemical manufacturing.
• Build and lead a high-performing, multi-disciplinary team, fostering a culture of accountability and safety.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Chemical or Industrial), Supply Chain, or a related technical discipline.
• 8–10 years of experience in chemical or industrial manufacturing.
• 5+ years of management experience in a chemical production plant.
• Proven experience managing plant performance, budgets, and cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency in SAP/ERP systems and Microsoft Office (especially Excel).
• Strong background in process safety and regulatory compliance.

Nice to have

• MBA or postgraduate qualification.
• Professional certifications such as ECSA, Lean Six Sigma, or PMP.

Culture & Benefits

• Champions a Safety-First culture ensuring zero harm.
• Commitment to continuous learning and organizational capability development.
• Opportunity for occasional international travel for Plant Managers meetings.
• High-impact leadership role with full accountability for site performance.