Process Plant Manager

at; Kununurra; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Leadership role

Career growth

Executive exposure

Competitive remuneration

Collaborative culture

Job summary

Boab Metals Limited is seeking an experienced Process Manager to lead the development, commissioning and operation of the Sorby Hills Lead-Silver Project near Kununurra, WA. The role covers safe, efficient plant operation from ROM to port, with a 2 weeks on, 1 week off roster.

You will drive improvements, manage budgets, mentor a processing team and ensure production and cost targets are met during construction and transition to steady-state production.

Qualifications

• Degree qualification in Metallurgy, Minerals Processing, Chemical Engineering or related discipline.
• Minimum 15 years in mineral processing with strong exposure to flotation circuits.
• Experience in a Process Manager or senior metallurgical leadership role.

Responsibilities

• Lead the safe, efficient operation of the Sorby Hills Processing Plant from ROM feed through to concentrate shipment and port logistics.
• Deliver production, recovery, concentrate quality and cost targets through effective leadership and plant optimisation.
• Drive continuous improvement to maximise plant performance, reliability and business value.
• Build cross-functional collaboration between processing, mining, maintenance, labs, logistics and commercial teams.
• Lead commissioning, readiness and ramp-up activities for a transition to operations.
• Develop operational strategies, metallurgical standards and standard operating procedures.
• Foster a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with regulatory and company requirements.
• Manage budgets and resource planning to achieve operational and financial objectives.

Skills

Metallurgy

Mineral processing

Flotation operations

Leadership

Budget management

Stakeholder management

Commissioning

Operational readiness

Safety culture

Education

Degree in Metallurgy

Minerals Processing

Chemical Engineering

Job description

Boab Metals Limited is progressing the development of the Sorby Hills Project, located 50 km northeast of Kununurra in the East Kimberley. Sorby Hills is Australia’s largest undeveloped near-surface lead‑silver deposit, supported by granted mining leases, EPA approval, and proximity to established infrastructure, including Wyndham Port only 150 km away.

With permitting and infrastructure already in place, Sorby Hills is uniquely positioned for fast-track production. Alongside Sorby Hills, Boab is actively exploring its 100%-owned Manbarrum and Eight Mile Creek prospects, strengthening our growth pipeline across the region.

About the position:

Boab Metals Limited is seeking an experienced and driven Process Manager to play a pivotal leadership role in the development, commissioning, and operation of the Sorby Hills Lead-Silver Project, located near Kununurra in the East Kimberley region of Western Australia working 2 weeks on, 1 week off roster pattern.

This is a unique opportunity to join the project during the construction phase and lead the development of the concentrator operating team, systems, and performance culture, before taking ownership of process operations through commissioning and into steady-state production.

Reporting to the Senior Site Executive, the Process Manager will be responsible for the safe, efficient, and cost-effective operation of the Sorby Hills Pb-Ag flotation concentrator. You will provide leadership across process operations from the ROM pad through to product shipment at port, ensuring operational excellence, team development, and achievement of production and cost targets.

Key roles and responsibilities include:

• Lead with full accountability for the safe, efficient and commercially effective operation of the Sorby Hills Processing Plant from ROM feed through to concentrate shipment and port logistics.
• Deliver production, recovery, concentrate quality and cost targets through effective operational leadership and plant optimisation.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to maximise plant performance, reliability and business value.
• Build strong cross-functional collaboration between processing, mining, maintenance, laboratory, logistics and commercial teams.
• Lead commissioning, operational readiness and ramp-up activities to support a successful transition to operations.
• Develop and implement operational strategies, metallurgical standards, operating procedures and best-practice work systems.
• Foster a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with all statutory, environmental and company requirements.
• Lead risk management processes and maintain effective controls to support safe and sustainable operations.
• Manage departmental budgets, cost performance and resource planning to achieve operational and financial objectives.
• Monitor, analyse and report key operational, metallurgical, safety and financial performance indicators.
• Build, mentor and develop a high-performing processing team, creating a culture of accountability, engagement and continuous improvement.
• Lead workforce planning, talent development and succession planning across the processing function.
• Provide processing and metallurgical input into mine planning, project development and long-term operational strategy.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve recovery, throughput, concentrate quality and overall plant performance.
• Assess and support capital projects, plant upgrades and new technologies that enhance operational outcomes.
• Provide technical leadership across flotation processing, including lead-silver sulphide and oxidised ore treatment where applicable.

Skills and Experience:

• Degree qualification in Metallurgy, Minerals Processing, Chemical Engineering or a related discipline, or significant processing plant operational leadership experience.
• Extensive experience with minimum 15 years of experience in mineral processing operations with strong exposure to flotation circuits.
• Previous experience in a Process Manager, Processing Superintendent or senior metallurgical leadership role.
• Strong base metals processing experience, preferably lead, zinc, copper or polymetallic flotation operations.
• Experience with oxidised ore flotation and sulphidisation processes will be highly regarded.
• Demonstrated commissioning, operational readiness or greenfield project experience.
• Proven success leading multidisciplinary teams and managing departmental budgets.
• Strong stakeholder management, communication and coaching skills.

What We Offer:

• Rare opportunity to help establish and shape a new mining operation from development through to production.
• Key leadership role with significant influence.
• Opportunity to build and lead a high-performing team.
• Direct exposure to executive leadership and strategic business decision-making.
• Competitive remuneration package and long-term career growth opportunities.
• Collaborative, agile and values-driven culture where your contribution will have a genuine impact.

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Your application will include the following questions:

• Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in Australia?
• What's your expected annual base salary?
• How many years' experience do you have as a Plant Manager?
• How much notice are you required to give your current employer?
• Have you completed a qualification in process plant operations?
• Do you have experience in a FIFO/DIDO role?
• What's your highest level of education?