Hydrometallurgy Plant Start-Up Leader

g2 Recruitment; Arnhem; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

g2 Recruitment seeks an experienced Plant Operations & Start-Up Manager to lead the setup and ramp-up of a new hydrometallurgical facility in Arnhem. You will design start-up procedures, build the operations team, and implement training programs to ensure safe, efficient production.

Requires a Master’s in chemical engineering with 10+ years in hydrometallurgy or chemistry, fluency in Dutch and English, and a proven track record in leading production teams while maintaining rigorous EHS standards.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in chemical engineering is required.
• 10+ years of hydrometallurgical or chemical processing experience.
• Dutch language fluency is mandatory; English proficiency required.
• Strong leadership and people-management skills with focus on EHS.
• Ability to translate engineering documentation into operating procedures and training materials.

Responsibilities

• Develop plant operating procedures, SOPs, work instructions, start-up/shutdown, and emergency response processes.
• Translate engineering docs into practical operating procedures and training materials.
• Establish core operational systems: shift reporting, process monitoring, incident management, change control.
• Develop production plans and support ramp-up strategy.
• Build the operations function and recruit staff for operations, maintenance and labs.
• Create and deliver operator training, competency frameworks, and qualification programmes.
• Coordinate production, feedstock, reagent procurement, product logistics, and maintenance planning.
• Define and manage KPIs for throughput, recovery, yield, plant performance and EHS compliance.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimise plant performance and efficiency.

Skills

Process & project management

People management

Safety culture

Dutch & English communication

Industrial chemical ops understanding

Strong communicator

Education

Master’s degree in chemical engineering

Job description

g2 Recruitment seeks an experienced Plant Operations & Start-Up Manager to lead the setup and ramp-up of a new hydrometallurgical facility in Arnhem. You will design start-up procedures, build the operations team, and implement training programs to ensure safe, efficient production.

Requires a Master’s in chemical engineering with 10+ years in hydrometallurgy or chemistry, fluency in Dutch and English, and a proven track record in leading production teams while maintaining rigorous EHS standards.