Superintendent, Technical First Quantum Minerals

At First Quantum, we free the talent of our people by taking a very different approach which is underpinned by a very different, very definite culture – the “First Quantum Way”.

Working with us is not like working anywhere else, which is why we recruit people who will take a bolder, smarter approach to spot opportunities, solve problems and deliver results.

Our culture is all about encouraging you to think independently and to challenge convention to deliver the best result. That’s how we continue to achieve extraordinary things in extraordinary locations.

Job description:

Overall Job Purpose:

As a key member of the Process team and reporting into the Manager Process Plant, the Superintendent Technical is accountable to define & implement the plant process strategy and measure & report on plant process performance, to maximise production and minimise costs while ensuring operational sustainability; The technical ‘process owner’; The role has a focus on daily-monthly optimisation.

Specific Job Responsibilities:

Understand and execute accountabilities of legal appointment under Zambian Mining Regulations.
The role has accountability for the metallurgical laboratories.
The role has operations personnel accountability for Metallurgical Laboratory, Metallurgy, Met Accounting and Projects.
Maintain HSE standards and ensure strict compliance within section;
Ensure all Safety and Environmental incidents are addressed & reported promptly.
Maintain a very high standard of Laboratory housekeeping.
Define and implement the plant metallurgical process strategy.
Consistently deliver and exceed the main KPI of (i)timely & accurate met-accounting, (ii) provide detailed technical direction for optimised plant control, (iii) identify, validate & develop process improvements, and (iv) provide timely and accurate plant laboratory outputs.
Directly participate in the daily to monthly work activities of the processing plant, serving as technical support to operations personnel to enhance performance.
Monitor, control and report on plant and process performance indicators;
Ensure the diagnosis of process performance is conducted, focusing on identifying root cause, and implementation of both corrective and preventative measures.
Constantly seek out innovative solutions for plant problems.
Manage, track and report continuous improvement activities to deliver improved process performance.
Introduce new real time instruments to improve the automation within the Process Plant, drive strong digitalization initiatives.
Participate to metallurgical surveys in large scales and develop team in understanding the plant performance in details.
From a Technical perspective, own, drive and support the commissioning, start-up and ramp-up efforts.
Design and execute test-work to determine optimal operating conditions.
Review plant design, scope and develop justification for capital upgrades.
Manage the interaction between the Processing and Mining Technical Services (geologists etc.) on ore quality, blending plans and performance.
Ensure short and long term equipment maintenance plans and schedules are in place for Laboratory to maintain availability and precision.
Ensure strong integration of Technical section members into operating ‘team’ environments.
Implement the structure, manning levels and resources to deliver Technical section component of operations plan.
Lead the Technical team, composed of expatriates, nationals and external consultants, to consistently deliver and exceed expectations.
Maintain staff development and training programs, particularly skills transfer and coaching to the national staff.
Identify and actively manage succession planning for key roles.
Contribute to the quarterly and annual operations production budget/forecasts.
Prepare the annual Technical operations budget and provide quarterly forecasts.
Control, report and reduce operational costs.
Implement FQM Way culture across the Technical team – “Smarter, Bolder, Driven, Together;”.
Perform any other duties as assigned by the Manager Processing Plant.

Job Specific Competencies:

Proven experience in the mentoring and development of metallurgical teams as well as interpersonal skills to influence operational leaders.
Excellent leadership, motivational and interpersonal skills.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, and able to assemble data and provide clear and accurate operational performance reports in both an upward and downward direction.
Proven success and experience in mentoring and training
Building successful teams.
Ability to work in a multicultural environment.
Strong ability to create a high-performing team environment.
Ability to build strategic work relationships.
Quick decision making with clear communication to the area leaders.

Key Job Attributes:

Commitment to SHEC performance.
Good leadership and motivational skills, and get work done through others;
Strong drive and personal sense of ownership and accountability.
Strong ability to task assign, build working relations and coordinate different operating disciplines to create a “team” environment.
Excellent cognitive and analytical skills for identifying process shortfalls, bottlenecks and implementing metallurgical testing.
Affinity to supervise technical research, direct and train metallurgical engineers and technicians.
Accustomed to carrying out advanced calculations and possess ability to analyse and understand highly complex and statistical metallurgical data;
Excellent understanding of complex metallurgical information, process improvement and control strategies.
Possess management discipline and perseverance to develop and implement medium to long range plans.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, and able to assemble data and provide clear and accurate operational performance reports in both an upward and downward direction.
Ability to maintain self-discipline within a stressful environment;
Be diligent and thorough in approach.
Be enthusiastic and pro-active in manner.
Computer fluency is a must.
Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.
English language fluency.

Experience required to perform in this job:

A minimum of 12 years’ experience in metallurgical process operations in large, complex metallurgical process operations within a multinational mining company.
Extensive experience in strong technical metallurgist / engineering roles with specific experience in base metal crushing/milling & flotation circuits.
Exposure to flotation plant design and/or metallurgical optimization.

Qualifications:

Minimum of Degree in Chemical Engineering, Extractive Metallurgy or Mineral Processing or related field.
Strong experience in metallurgical and especially operational roles with specific experience in copper, crushing/milling & flotation circuits.
Excellent cognitive and analytical skills with ability to carry out advanced calculations and analyse and understand highly complex and statistical metallurgical data.
Strong computer skills.
Eligibility for membership of the Engineering Institute of Zambia (EIZ), and to hold relevant legal appointment as defined by the Mining Regulations of Zambia.