Field Operator

FIELD OPERATOR | PRODUCTION | DURBAN

Join our production team

We’re looking for new talent to join the Operations team at AlcoNCP’s state-of-the-art distillery in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal .

AlcoNCP is a long-established South African producer and supplier of Extra-Neutral Potable Ethanol and DDGS , manufactured from sustainably sourced South African maize. Combining decades of distilling expertise with advanced process technology, rigorous quality standards and a strong commitment to safety and continuous improvement, our Durban operation supplies customers across South Africa and international markets.

We are looking for a Field Operator who is technically minded, safety-conscious and comfortable working in a complex production environment. This is a hands-on operational role for someone who enjoys understanding how a plant works, identifying problems and contributing to safe, efficient and reliable production.

THE ROLE

Reporting to the Process Operator, the Field Operator is responsible for the physical operation and monitoring of production and utility plants to ensure that shift production, quality, efficiency and safety objectives are achieved.

The successful candidate will work closely with Production, Maintenance and QA/QC teams and will be expected to respond effectively to changing plant conditions, identify abnormalities and contribute to troubleshooting and continuous improvement.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Field Operator will be responsible for:

• Physically operating production and utility plants in accordance with approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Conducting plant pre-start checks and participating in plant start-ups, shutdowns and emergency stops.
• Operating ethanol production processes, including batch distillation, to achieve required production volumes, efficiencies, product mix and quality.
• Monitoring plant conditions and responding appropriately to alarms and instructions from the Process Operator.
• Conducting effective shift handovers and accurately recording process conditions, operational activities and incidents.
• Monitoring and maintaining chemical stocks at points of use.
• Collecting and recording operational and plant-efficiency data.
• Taking routine and non-routine process samples for plant control and optimisation.
• Conducting in-process sampling and analysis to ensure that products conform to required specifications.
• Identifying plant and equipment requiring maintenance and raising the appropriate maintenance requests.
• Isolating equipment and applying lock-out procedures where required.
• Preparing equipment for maintenance through draining, flushing and purging.
• Participating in equipment acceptance and commissioning following repairs.
• Assisting with troubleshooting mechanical, instrumentation and process-related problems.
• Maintaining high standards of plant housekeeping.
• Reporting unsafe acts and conditions and ensuring work is conducted in accordance with applicable safety procedures.
• Responding to plant emergencies in accordance with established procedures.
• Participating in plant risk assessments, safety activities and ISO audits.
• Monitoring critical process conditions and providing feedback to support process optimisation and continuous improvement.
• Assisting with the training and development of Operations Assistants and other operational employees where required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

Candidates must meet at least one of the following qualification and relevant industry-experience combinations:

• BSc Chemical Engineering or equivalent – no previous industry experience required.
• BTech/BEngTech Chemical Engineering or equivalent – minimum 6 months' relevant industry experience .
• Diploma in Chemical Engineering or equivalent – minimum 12 months' relevant industry experience .
• Chemical Operations NQF Level 4 or equivalent – minimum 3 years' relevant industry experience .
• Chemical Operations NQF Level 3 or equivalent – minimum 5 years' relevant industry experience .

RELEVANT INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE

Experience within a continuous-process, manufacturing or industrial environment will be advantageous, particularly within:

• Water, wastewater or effluent treatment
• Petrochemical
• Pharmaceutical, food and beverage or speciality chemicals
• Wood, paper or pulp
• Energy, electricity or power generation
• Mining

Practical exposure to any of the following will also be advantageous:

• Distillation columns
• Plate-and-frame and shell-and-tube heat exchangers
• Cooling towers
• Pumps, fans, conveyors and other rotating equipment
• Clean-in-Place (CIP) processes
• Plant start-ups and shutdowns
• Process troubleshooting

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

We are looking for candidates who demonstrate:

• Good analytical and problem-solving ability.
• Strong attention to detail and process discipline.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• The ability to recognise abnormal plant conditions and respond appropriately.
• A strong safety mindset and willingness to take responsibility for safe working practices.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a production team.
• Basic computer literacy, including Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook.
• A willingness to learn and develop within a technically demanding production environment.

Training or experience in work permit systems, firefighting, occupational health and safety, hazardous chemicals, HACCP and ISO-based management systems will be advantageous.

SAFETY AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Safety is fundamental to this position. The Field Operator has the authority and responsibility to stop any work on the plant that is considered unsafe and is expected to actively contribute to maintaining a safe operating environment.

This is a hands-on, plant-based position. Candidates must be physically capable of performing the operational requirements of the role, including working within an industrial process environment and at heights where required.

The position requires shift work, including nights, weekends and public holidays , in accordance with the applicable shift roster.

READY TO MAKE YOUR MARK?

If you have the technical foundation, curiosity and drive to work in a dynamic production environment, we would like to hear from you.

Apply through LinkedIn and take the next step towards joining the AlcoNCP team in Durban.