The posting
Job Profile – Concentrator Process Manager
An opportunity exists for an experienced, results-driven Process Manager to lead the process engineering, metallurgical performance and production functions at a major base-metal concentrator in the Northern Cape. The role is central to start-up, ramp-up and stabilisation, ensuring the operation achieves its design intent, production objectives and product-quality requirements. Once stable operation is established, the focus shifts to continuous improvement, operational efficiency and sustainable performance.
- Role Purpose and Reporting
The Process Manager leads both the Process and Production Departments, aligning process engineering, metallurgy, plant control and day-to-day production. The role requires strong process-engineering capability, hands-on operational leadership and the ability to turn plant data into practical actions that improve safety, reliability, recovery, throughput and product quality.
2. Key Responsibilities
Start-up, Ramp-up and Stabilisation
- Lead process readiness and operational ramp-up with operations, maintenance, engineering, commissioning teams, OEMs and contractors.
- Develop and execute process operating plans, start-up sequences, procedures and stabilisation priorities.
- Identify constraints, defects, process risks and gaps against design requirements; coordinate corrective actions with responsible parties.
- Confirm process parameters, control strategies, sampling and measurement systems support safe, controlled operation.
- Track ramp-up against agreed milestones and provide clear, evidence-based progress reports.
Process Engineering and Metallurgical Performance
- Own process performance, including throughput, recovery, concentrate grade and quality, yield and process stability.
- Interpret metallurgical accounting, mass balances, sampling, laboratory data, operating trends and reports.
- Optimise flowsheets, operating parameters, reagent regimes and process-control strategies within approved limits.
- Investigate losses, variability and bottlenecks; lead root-cause analysis and ensure corrective actions are closed out.
- Maintain process documentation, operating standards, control philosophies and technical records.
Production Management
- Lead Production to deliver safe, consistent and efficient operation in line with the production plan.
- Set daily and shift priorities, review performance and coordinate responses to constraints or disruptions.
- Maintain effective operating routines, shift handovers, escalation and communication between process and production teams.
- Coordinate with maintenance and planning on equipment availability, shutdowns and interventions.
- Promote disciplined operating practices and adherence to procedures and process limits.
Continuous Improvement and Cost Control
- Develop a prioritised improvement programme once stable operation is achieved.
- Improve throughput, recovery, product quality, availability, energy and water efficiency, and reagent consumption.
- Use plant data and structured problem-solving to quantify opportunities, implement changes and verify sustained benefits.
- Support budgets, cost monitoring and control of process-related operating expenditure.
- Benchmark performance where appropriate and lead measurable improvement initiatives.
Leadership, Safety and Collaboration
- Lead, coach and develop process and production personnel, setting clear expectations and accountability.
- Promote a visible safety culture and compliance with applicable legislation, site standards, risk assessments and procedures.
- Identify and manage process risks, including reagents, pressure, temperature, rotating equipment and abnormal conditions.
- Collaborate with maintenance, engineering, laboratory, metallurgy, supply chain, HSE and site leadership.
- Prepare concise operational and technical reports, communicate risks early and escalate decisions requiring support.
Performance Measures
Performance will be assessed against agreed targets and the stage of plant development, including:
- Achievement of start-up, ramp-up and stabilisation milestones.
- Throughput and production attainment against plan and design expectations.
- Metallurgical recovery, concentrate grade and product-quality compliance.
- Process stability, reduction of bottlenecks and recurring losses, and effective root-cause close-out.
- Reagent, water and energy consumption against agreed targets.
- Sustained benefits from continuous-improvement initiatives.
- Safety, procedural compliance, team capability and cross-functional coordination.
3. Candidate Profile
Qualifications
- Degree in Chemical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Mineral Processing or a closely related discipline.
- Additional training in mineral processing, process control, operational leadership or continuous improvement is advantageous.
Experience
- Typically 10–20 years' relevant experience in mineral processing or concentrator operations, with substantial process engineering and production exposure.
- Demonstrated experience leading or supporting commissioning, start-up, ramp-up and stabilisation of a processing plant or major plant section.
- Base-metal concentrator experience preferred; zinc, lead, copper or other sulphide-processing experience is advantageous.
- Proven ability to improve metallurgical performance, troubleshoot complex process issues and deliver measurable results.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and working with maintenance, engineering, laboratory and technical-service functions.
- Familiarity with process-control systems, metallurgical accounting, mass balancing and plant-performance reporting.
Technical and Leadership Competencies
- Strong understanding of mineral processing principles, concentrator flowsheets and metallurgical performance drivers.
- Able to interpret process trends, laboratory results, mass balances and operating data and convert findings into practical action.
- Sound knowledge of process control, operating procedures, sampling, metallurgical accounting and structured problem-solving.
- Confident leader able to set priorities, make timely decisions, hold teams accountable and develop capability.
- Commercial awareness of production planning, operating costs and the relationship between process performance and business results.
- Clear communicator who can engage with site leadership, technical specialists, contractors and frontline teams.
- Organised and resilient, able to operate effectively in a demanding start-up and changing operational environment.
Personal Attributes
- The successful candidate will be practical, analytical and visible in the plant. They will combine sound technical judgement with a hands-on approach, maintain a strong focus on safety and quality, and lead teams through the uncertainty of ramp-up. They will persist in resolving issues, welcome evidence-based challenge and build a stable operation before pursuing sustainable performance gains.
Location and Application
- The role is based at a major base-metal concentrator in the Northern Cape, South Africa. Appointment details, remuneration and roster will be discussed with shortlisted candidates. Applicants should submit a current CV outlining relevant concentrator experience, start-up or ramp-up involvement, leadership responsibilities and examples of measurable process or production improvements.
