Technical Chemical Manufacturing Expert

Technical Chemical Manufacturing Expert

Department: Technical

Employment Type: Fixed Term Contract

Location: Africa

Reporting To: Programme Lead

Description Allied Talent Partners (ATP), a Three Cairns Group initiative, is a mission-driven, not-for-profit talent marketplace focused on solving the human capital bottlenecks slowing down sustainable development efforts in emerging economies, with an initial focus on Africa.  ATP connects vetted, experienced, context-relevant professionals to high-impact opportunities in energy access and sustainable development – strengthening local capacity and fuelling economic vitality. We specialize in fixed-term, deliverable-driven engagements – from interim leadership and generalist projects to niche technical expertise – handling project scoping, talent vetting and matching, contracting, payroll, and compliance so that our clients can focus on impact.

High-Level Overview 

The client is delivering an investment advisory programme aimed at strengthening the performance, competitiveness, and investment readiness of an African country's national chemicals industry. The programme focuses on improving SOE operations, validating investment opportunities, and supporting industrial transformation across priority subsectors.    To support this work, the client seeks a senior chemical manufacturing expert with deep operational experience and a strong commercial lens. The expert will complement the broader consulting team by providing specialised technical insight and undertaking a primarily desktop-based assessment of three priority production assets—reviewing facility documentation, operational data, market inputs, and supply-chain information, complemented by targeted interviews and plant walkthroughs as required. While the broader team will lead elements of the commercial and strategic analysis, the expert will collaborate closely with them, with some overlap across workstreams where technical input is needed. The expert will synthesise insights across technical, economic, market, and supply-chain themes and evaluate them against the facilities' business plans to identify gaps, risks, inconsistencies, and critical assumptions requiring adjustment, forming the basis for realistic strategic options and actionable improvement roadmaps.    The ideal candidate has strong hands-on experience in chemical manufacturing, with expertise in process engineering, plant optimisation, and industrial operations, complemented by a solid commercial understanding. They can independently assess production processes, validate CAPEX, OPEX, and business-plan assumptions, and quickly form a grounded view on operational and commercial feasibility. They work autonomously, produce clear written outputs, and draw on experience in both emerging and developed markets to benchmark technologies, cost structures, and realistic pathways to improve competitiveness and scale. 

Role and Responsibilities
Role: Technical Chemicals Manufacturing Expert
Direct Report: Programme Lead  
Candidates Required: 1

Key Deliverables:
For each priority production asset:

1. Technical Asset Assessment – Conducted primarily through desktop analysis of facility documentation, technical records, operational data, and selective interviews with plant personnel.

• Technical diagnostic report per facility based on engineering drawings, process flow diagrams, equipment lists, and utility specifications 
• Operational performance baseline developed through production data, downtime logs, maintenance records, and QA/QC outputs 
• Risk and compliance snapshot derived from HSE documentation, audit reports, and compliance checklists 

2. Production Economics – Based on review of cost data, financial models, supporting documentation, and targeted clarification discussions.

• Cost structure analysis covering feedstock, utilities, labour, maintenance, and logistics 
• CAPEX reasonableness review using project documents, equipment specifications, and engineering assumptions 
• Unit economics and competitiveness assessment based on data modelling and benchmarking (if available from client)

3. Market and Demand Feasibility – Through review of market studies, demand forecasts, product specifications, and interviews with commercial teams as needed.

• Demand-servicing feasibility assessing ability to meet required volumes, product mix, and quality 
• Commercial realism check based on market assessments, pricing projections, and customer requirements 
• Market-driven constraints identified through document review and clarification interviews.

4. Supply Chain and Input Feasibility – Through review and analysis of internal supply-chain data, procurement records, logistics information, and selected discussions with procurement/operations teams.

• Feedstock and raw material availability assessment 
• Utility and infrastructure feasibility analysis based on consumption data and engineering documentation 
• Logistics and storage assessment using facility logistics documents and inventory records.

5. Integrated Synthesis and Business Plan Evaluation – Integrating insights from deliverables 1-4 to evaluate the facility's overall business plan against technical, operational, commercial, and supply-chain realities.

• Business plan validation assessing whether assumptions and projections are achievable 
• Identification of gaps, inconsistencies, and risks across all analytical dimensions 
• Summary of implications for viability, competitiveness, and required adjustments.

6. Strategic Options and Roadmap – Developed by synthesising validated insights and confirming direction through stakeholder discussions.

• Options matrix per asset grounded in validated analysis 
• Preferred pathway and rationale 
• Implementation roadmap (6-18 months) outlining priority actions, sequencing, and dependencies.

7. Reporting and Collaboration

• Outputs developed through synthesis of all findings, with selective interviews to clarify gaps or confirm interpretations. 
• Structured written deliverables including reports, summaries, and slide inputs 
• Collaboration with the broader consulting team to align technical, commercial, and strategic outputs 
• Stakeholder engagement through virtual or in-person sessions as required 

Requirements Experience Required:

• Proven experience in chemical manufacturing, process engineering, or industrial operations with accountability for technical decision-making and performance. 
  
• Expertise in subsectors such as fertilisers, agro-chemicals, industrial chemicals, or polymers, ideally with exposure to complex production environments. 
  
• Track record in technical diagnostics, operational assessments, feasibility studies, and CAPEX/OPEX reviews. 
  
• Experience in both emerging and developed markets, with the ability to benchmark technologies, operating models, and cost structures. 
  
• Involvement in production optimisation, plant upgrades, improvement programmes, or greenfield/brownfield evaluations. 
  
• Familiarity with international engineering, HSE, quality, and environmental standards and their application in developing-market settings. 
  
• Experience working within multidisciplinary teams across technical, commercial, financial, and operational areas. 
  

Technical Requirements:

• Strong grounding in chemical or process engineering, with deep understanding of unit operations, utilities, and plant optimisation. 
• Ability to interpret and critically assess engineering documents (PFDs, P&IDs, mass/energy balances, equipment specifications). 
• Demonstrated capability to validate CAPEX assumptions and technical justifications. 
• Proficiency in analysing OPEX drivers, modelling unit costs, and benchmarking production economics. 
• Skilled in assessing business-plan assumptions related to production, costs, supply chain, and market requirements. 
• Ability to identify and articulate technical risks, bottlenecks, and operational constraints. 

Other Skills:

• Independent and structured, able to deliver complex assessments with minimal oversight. 
• Strong written and verbal communicator who produces clear, decision-oriented outputs. 
• Constructive challenger able to provide evidence-based recommendations. 
• Effective collaborator with technical and non-technical stakeholders. 
• Pragmatic, solutions-focused, and comfortable working in data-limited or evolving environments. 

Working Arrangement
Location: Remote, with travel to production facilities and stakeholder locations as required.
Travel: Limited

Terms of agreement:
Start Date: December 2025
Contracting Period: 4 months – Varying workload 

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