Hire Resolve is assisting petrochemical organisations in hiring experienced petrochemical professionals to support refinery, chemical, and downstream manufacturing operations across Australia. This is a multi-role opportunity covering several functions within the sector, including plant operations, process and project engineering, reliability and maintenance, HSE and process safety, quality and laboratory functions, supply chain, and commercial/technical services. These roles are designed for mid- to senior-level professionals and offer a clear pathway toward senior leadership positions such as Operations/Production Manager, Engineering Manager, Reliability Lead, HSE/Process Safety Manager, and broader site leadership roles. Key Responsibilities Lead safe, efficient plant operations across continuous and batch processes, utilities, and supporting units Drive process optimisation, debottlenecking, yield improvement, energy efficiency, and cost reduction initiatives Support or lead capital projects from scope definition through execution, commissioning, and handover Maintain robust technical documentation and change control (P&IDs, SOPs, operating envelopes, MOC) Improve asset reliability through preventive/predictive maintenance strategies, RCA, shutdown/turnaround planning, and asset integrity programmes Ensure compliance with WHS obligations and site HSE management systems, including major hazard controls where applicable Lead and participate in risk assessments (HAZOP/LOPA), incident investigations, and corrective action closure Manage contractors and safe systems of work (Permit-to-Work, isolations/LOTO, method statements and risk assessments) Monitor and improve KPIs across safety, production, quality, reliability, and budget performance Collaborate with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Laboratory, Supply Chain, and external vendors to deliver site objectives Support internal and external audits and inspections; embed continuous improvement programmes Coach and develop teams through training, competency development, and leadership support Requirements Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical/Instrumentation Engineering, Chemistry, or a related discipline (relevant professional registration is advantageous for some roles) Typically 7–15 years of experience in petrochemicals, refining, specialty chemicals, polymers, industrial gases, or comparable process manufacturing environments Demonstrated experience in one or more tracks: operations leadership, process engineering, reliability/maintenance, rotating equipment, HSE/process safety, projects, quality/laboratory, or commercial/technical support Working knowledge of WHS requirements and high-hazard safety expectations (Permit-to-Work, isolations/LOTO, contractor management, incident investigation, MOC; major hazard facility practices where applicable) Familiarity with common plant systems and tools such as CMMS/EAM (e.g., SAP/Maximo), process historians (e.g., PI System), and standard engineering documentation practices Strong stakeholder management and communication skills with the ability to lead cross-functional delivery Willingness to work onsite in an industrial environment; some roles may involve shift coverage, on-call rotation, or travel depending on site needs Benefits Extra Superannuation - Pension plan Unpaid Extended Leave Work From Home - Flexible hours Training & Development
