Technical Manager- LPG Business

Note: Indians who are ready to relocate to Zambia/Southern Africa

Job Title: Technical Manager – LPG Business (Africa)

Location: [Southern Africa – Zambia or South Africa]
Department: Technical / Operations
Employment Type: Full-Time

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Technical Manager to lead all engineering, technical, and operational integrity functions within our growing LPG distribution business in Africa. The role has two primary focuses:

1. Oversee all new business development projects—from conceptualization, design, and engineering through to commissioning.
2. Manage and continuously improve existing LPG plants to ensure safe, compliant, efficient, and loss-controlled operations.

The successful candidate will act as the companys technical authority, combining strong project management capability, operational discipline, LPG loss control expertise, and rigorous technical documentation and compliance practices to support the companys expansion across multiple African markets.

Key Responsibilities

1. Project Development & Execution

• Lead the full lifecycle of new LPG projects (bulk storage facilities, cylinder filling plants, autogas installations, depots, and related infrastructure) from concept through commissioning and handover.
• Conduct feasibility studies, site evaluations, and technical due diligence for new investments and expansion opportunities.
• Prepare, review, and approve AutoCAD drawings, including plot plans, layouts, P&IDs, and mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation schematics.
• Develop and review technical specifications, design bases, and tender documents for EPC and supply contracts.
• Supervise engineering, procurement, and construction activities, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and to required quality standards.
• Coordinate plant commissioning, performance testing, acceptance, and transition to operations teams.
• Ensure all project designs and executions comply with NFPA 58, API, ISO, and applicable national LPG codes and regulations.
• Develop standard LPG plant design templates and technical standards to enable scalable and repeatable deployments across markets.

2. Operations Management of Existing LPG Plants

• Oversee the technical operations of all existing LPG bottling, bulk storage, and distribution facilities.
• Ensure all plants are maintained in a fully compliant condition, meeting company standards, HSE requirements, and statutory regulations.
• Implement and monitor preventive and corrective maintenance programs to ensure asset integrity and operational reliability.
• Oversee and control LPG losses across the entire operation, including bulk storage, transfers, cylinder filling, and distribution activities.
• Establish LPG reconciliation, loss monitoring, and reporting systems; analyze loss trends, identify root causes, and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Analyze operational performance data and drive continuous improvement in plant efficiency, availability, safety, and product accountability.
• Troubleshoot complex technical and operational issues and provide hands-on field support when required.
• Lead root cause investigations for major incidents, equipment failures, abnormal losses, or repeated operational deviations.
• Ensure operational readiness of new and modified facilities, including procedures, staffing, training, and spare parts strategies.

3. Technical Advisory, Installations & Customer Support

• Provide technical advice and guidance to local teams and customers on industrial, commercial, and intercompany LPG fuel installations.
• Review and approve technical designs, layouts, and safety measures for customer LPG installations in line with applicable codes and best practices.
• Support safe installation, inspection, commissioning, and troubleshooting of LPG fuel systems where required.
• Act as the technical reference point for complex or non-standard LPG applications.

4. Technical Documentation & Compliance

• Establish and maintain a centralized technical documentation system for all LPG assets, including drawings, as-built documentation, equipment data sheets, certifications, and maintenance records.
• Ensure all technical documentation is accurate, standardized, current, and readily available for audits, inspections, and regulatory reviews.
• Implement and enforce Management of Change (MoC) processes for all technical and operational modifications.
• Lead internal and external technical audits, regulatory inspections, and insurance surveys.
• Develop and implement engineering procedures, technical manuals, quality control standards, and asset integrity programs.

5. Leadership, Reporting & Governance

• Build, manage, and mentor a multidisciplinary technical team (mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, civil).
• Provide ongoing technical guidance, training, and performance management for engineers and technicians.
• Coordinate closely with commercial, operations, HSE, and supply chain teams to ensure alignment between technical execution and business objectives.
• Act as the technical interface with regulators, government authorities, inspectors, EPC contractors, and third-party service providers.
• Prepare and submit meaningful weekly technical and operational reports to senior management, covering project status, plant performance, LPG losses, safety observations, risks, and corrective actions.
• Support senior management in strategic planning, capital budgeting, investment evaluations, and project prioritization.
• Drive a strong safety culture through visible leadership, accountability, and technical discipline.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelors degree in Mechanical, Chemical, or Petroleum Engineering (Masters degree preferred).
• 10–15 years of experience in LPG, oil & gas, or energy infrastructure sectors.
• Proven experience managing greenfield and brownfield LPG projects.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, with the ability to prepare, review, and approve detailed engineering drawings.
• Strong knowledge of LPG system design, safety, and applicable international and local standards (NFPA 58, API, ISO, etc.).
• Solid experience in plant operations, maintenance, asset integrity, and LPG loss control.
• Demonstrated ability to manage comprehensive technical documentation and compliance systems.
• Strong project management, contractor supervision, and budgeting skills.
• Excellent communication, reporting, and leadership capabilities.
• Willingness to travel extensively across multiple African markets.

Preferred Attributes

• Experience operating in emerging and developing African markets.
• PMP or equivalent project management certification.
• Advanced knowledge of process safety management and HSE systems.
• Strong organizational discipline with a hands-on, problem-solving mindset.
• Ability to work independently in remote or challenging environments.