Junior Process Engineer

COFCO International is a global agri-business with a clear vision, strong values and a positive culture, focused on being a leader in the global grains, oilseeds and sugar supply chains. We provide the food the world needs in a responsible way. Headquartered is Geneva, Switzerland, we are ambitious, with the right structures and culture to meet the world's increasing and changing needs. With 11,000+ people in 35 countries, our global portfolio includes assets across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. We trade with over 50 nations, while providing farmers unique direct access to the growing Chinese market.

Company: COFCO International South Africa (Pty) Ltd

Vacancy:  Junior Process Engineer

Location: Standerton, South Africa

Department: Production

Job purpose:

The Junior Process Engineer is responsible for designing, monitoring, optimizing, and troubleshooting solvent production, recovery, and purification processes. This role ensures safe, efficient, and environmentally compliant plant operations while improving product quality, yield, and cost performance. The incumbent will support operations, engineering, and quality teams by applying chemical engineering principles to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Key Performance Areas:

1. Process Operations & Optimization

• Ensure safe and stable plant operation in line with company and statutory requirements.


• Improve process efficiency and productivity through monitoring and optimization.


• Maintain product quality to required specifications.


• Reduce energy, water, steam, power usage, and minimize waste.


• Conduct mass and energy balance calculations and process simulations.


• Support continuous improvement and innovation initiatives.

2. Troubleshooting & Technical Support

• Monitor daily plant operations and provide technical support to production, lab, and maintenance teams.


• Troubleshoot process upsets, identify root causes, and implement corrective and preventive actions.


• Support commissioning, start-up, shutdown, and debottlenecking activities.


• Support risk assessments, HAZOPs, and Management of Change (MOC).

3. Compliance, Safety & Documentation

• Ensure compliance with safety, health, and environmental (SHE) standards and regulations related to solvent handling and emissions.


• Maintain and update process documentation including PFDs, P&IDs, Standard operating procedures, Process data sheets and support environmental and operational reporting.

4. Collaboration & Stakeholder Support

• Collaborate with production, engineering, maintenance, and quality teams to resolve operational challenges.


• Ensure effective communication with operators and frontline teams.


• Assist with operator training on process operation, safety, and best practices.

Minimum Criteria:

• Bachelor’s degree or B-Tech in Chemical Engineering.


• 3–7 years’ experience in solvent plants, chemical manufacturing, or refinery operations.


• Strong understanding of unit operations: Distillation, Heat exchangers, Pumps, Reactors


• Experience with solvent recovery systems and emission control technologies.


• Knowledge of process safety standards (OSHA, EPA, API, or equivalent).

Skills, Knowledge and Experience required:

• 3–7 years’ experience in solvent plants, chemical manufacturing, or refinery operations.


• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability.


• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.


• Attention to detail and technical accuracy.


• Ability to work with multicultural teams and all levels of management.


• Strong safety mindset and adherence to industry regulations.


• Computer literacy and strong reporting skills.

Competencies

• Operational Excellence


• Problem Solving & Decision Making


• Analytical Thinking


• Communication & Collaboration


• Safety & Compliance Focus


• Initiative & Accountability


• Teamwork


• Detail Orientation

General

Reports to Production Manager:

Salary and Benefits: Market related salary, Provident Fund and Medical Aid benefits.

Closing date: 09 February 2026

How to apply

The company is offering a competitive salary with provident and medical benefits.  Exciting incentive opportunities, a rewarding work environment, product and supply chain knowledge and career growth opportunities for the right candidate.

Interested parties should please submit a comprehensive CV and covering letter, outlining why you feel that you are best suited to the position on the COFCO Careers website https://www.cofcointernational.com/careers/ by searching for vacancies in South Africa, clicking on the listed positions available, and following the prompts when clicking “Apply” on the job description, and answering all related questions in full to complete your application.

Only applications submitted direct on the COFCO Careers website will be considered.

If you do not hear from us within 21 days from date of application, please regard your application as unsuccessful. Only short-listed candidates will be moved through the Talent Pipeline and contacted.

The company appoints in line with our employment equity plan and preference may be given to previously disadvantaged individuals.

Privacy Policy

By contacting COFCO International South Africa (Pty) Ltd., you acknowledge and agree that COFCO International South Africa (Pty) Ltd. has a legitimate business purpose to collect and process your personal information (as defined in Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 and any amendments thereto (“POPIA”)) to review your personal information and to comply with its legal obligations. COFCO International South Africa (Pty) Ltd will process your personal information in accordance with POPIA and in accordance with and the purposes described in COFCO International South Africa (Pty) Ltd.’s privacy policy available at https://www.cofcointernational.com/data-privacy-policy/  You hereby confirm that you have read, understood and agree with the terms of COFCO International South Africa (Pty) Ltd.’s privacy policy, and consent to the processing of your personal information.

COFCO International is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Please refer to our Candidate Privacy Notice to know how COFCO collects and processes your personal data during your job application.