About the position
An independent lubricant producer and waste oil re-refinery in South Africa is seeking an experienced and driven Plant Manager to lead operations at a Used Oil Re-refinery. The successful candidate will oversee all aspects of refinery operations, including production, compliance, maintenance, and team leadership to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality output.
Key Responsibilities
Environmental and SHEQ Compliance
- Ensure full compliance with environmental legislation and health & safety standards.
- Maintain and improve SHEQ systems; attend SHEQ meetings.
- 16.2 SHEQ appointment for Plant.
- Monitor emissions, effluent discharge, and hazardous waste.
- Lead incident investigations and corrective actions.
- Promote sustainable practices and pollution prevention.
Production and Operations Management
- Oversee daily operations from used oil intake to base oil output.
- Ensure production targets, quality standards, and delivery timelines are met.
- Monitor plant performance, yields, and process health.
- Resolve production issues and optimise plant capacity.
Maintenance Management
- Develop and implement preventative and corrective maintenance plans.
- Ensure equipment functionality, safety, and compliance.
- Conduct facility inspections and manage repair and installation activities.
- Maintain maintenance logs and track costs.
People Management and Leadership
- Supervise refinery shift workers, workshop staff, and lab teams.
- Conduct performance reviews, toolbox talks, and disciplinary actions.
- Drive training, upskilling, and team development.
- Foster a collaborative and safety-conscious work environment.
Project Management
- Lead and support plant installations and upgrades including new projects.
- Coordinate with contractors and service providers.
- Manage project timelines, budgets, and implementation.
Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement
- Ensure all products meet required specifications.
- Oversee lab Q.C. testing of raw materials, effluent, finished product, and quality audits.
- Identify and implement process and product improvements.
Production Planning and Scheduling
- Develop and manage production schedules aligned with demand and capacity.
- Coordinate with procurement, sales, and dispatch teams.
- Adjust plans based on resource availability and operational constraints.
Stock and Supply Chain Management
- Manage raw material and finished product inventories.
- Conduct monthly stock counts and reconciliations.
- Ensure timely procurement and delivery of materials.
Budgeting and Cost Control
- Track and manage production, maintenance, and energy costs.
- Report on cost per litre and waste disposal metrics.
- Support capital budgeting and turnaround planning.
KPIs Monitoring
- Monitor and report on all key metrics including production volumes, quality, energy consumption, SHEQ compliance, maintenance costs, waste stream metrics, and safety incidents.
Qualifications and Skills
- Degree in Chemical, Mechanical, or Process Engineering (preferred).
- Minimum 10 years' experience in refinery or petrochemical operations.
- Proficiency in ERP tools (e.g. MRP, BOMs, Routing).
- Experience with SCADA & PLC systems.
- Strong leadership, decision-making, and team-building skills.
- Familiarity with ISO 9001 & ISO 14001 standards.
- Ability to work in high-pressure, physically demanding environments.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Knowledge of business and management principles, budgeting, strategic planning, and HR.
- Ability to operate various plant equipment including compressors, boilers, vacuum systems, distillation units, and water treatment plants.
?? To apply or inquire, contact Pearl at:
[Email Address Removed]
[Email Address Removed]
Desired Skills:
- SHEQ Compliance & Environmental Management Production & Process Optimization Preventative & Corrective Maintenance Planning Team Leadership & Staff Development Project Management & Plant Upgrades Quality Control & Continuous Improvement ERP Systems (MRP
- BOMs
- Routing) SCADA & PLC Automation Systems ISO Standards [Phone Number Removed];) Strategic Planning & Budget Control
Desired Work Experience:
Desired Qualification Level:
Employer & Job Benefits:
