Technical Manager

Austin Powder; Northern (KY); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Austin Powder is seeking an LLC/Regional Technical Manager to lead our blasting services and technical training across the region. You will provide expert mining- and blasting-focused guidance, oversee safety and regulatory compliance, and shape the development of our technical teams.

The role emphasizes hands-on leadership, mine planning, blast design, post-blast analysis, and ongoing improvement of performance. Travel up to 75% and close collaboration with customers and management are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mining Engineering or related experience.
• 5+ years’ experience as a mining engineer, blaster-in-charge, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Provide advanced technical blasting services and mine planning.

Skills

Mining engineering

Blaster-in-Charge

Leadership

Blast design

Safety compliance

Training

Travel readiness

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering

Job description

Join the Family - Come work for an exciting company offering great benefits, challenging opportunities, and colleagues who feel more like family.

Job Summary

The LLC/Regional Technical Manager is responsible for providing leadership, direction, coordination, management, succession planning, and support for our technical and blasting services throughout the LLC/Region in accordance with regulatory requirements and Austin Powder Company (APC) policies and procedures. The Technical Manager provides extensive technical expertise to include competency and compliance training, blaster development planning, advanced blasting techniques, blast performance analysis, and investigating blasting and product issues. The LLC/Regional Technical Manager is focused on continually improving the operational safety, efficiency, and capability of their technical and blasting teams and reports directly to the LLC/Regional President/GM as a member of LLC/Regional management team.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

• Provide advanced technical assistance to employees and customers to include mine planning, blast design, post-blast analysis, blast optimization, and other blasting service needs.
• Establish, maintain, and lead a team of technical representatives capable of providing the technical blasting services required to meet the needs of our customers.
• Maintain a safe and healthy work environment by assuring compliance with regulatory agencies and company policies and procedures.
• Conduct regular blast audits to ensure blast crews are conducting business safely, efficiently, and in compliance with job site, regulatory, and APC requirements.
• Able to be present on customer sites on short notice throughout the LLC/Region, as required by our customers and the discretion of management.
• Ability to lead the investigation of product complaints, misfires, flyrocks, and other blasting incidents to determine root cause and identify corrective actions.
• Support the succession planning process for future blasters and technical reps by facilitating the Blaster-in-Training program with high potential candidates.
• Facilitate annual blaster refresher training for all licensed LLC/Regional blasters.
• Develop and maintain proficiency with appropriate software and technologies required for our technical service needs.
• Be a licensed drone pilot (FAA UAV Part 701) and ensure required team members earn, and maintain, drone certification.
• Help manage the ordering, maintenance, and applicable training of our technical blasting equipment throughout the LLC/Region.
• Develop relationships and internal networks of expertise with our diverse team of technical leaders across Austin Powder.
• Support manufacturing objectives to continually improve the quality, performance, and profitability of our explosive products.
• Support the preparation and participate in regular performance review meetings with customer base.
• Build a thorough understanding of local, state, and federal governing agencies’ rules and regulations.
• Participate in relevant explosives industry news and events to build knowledge of industry trends, competitive products, applications, product development, and technical advancements.
• Assist with the preparation of responses to RFP’s.

Skills and Knowledge

• Maintains a consistent, and respectful demeanor, in the face of constant changes and challenges.
• Demonstrates significant knowledge of company products and equipment used in blasting applications and the willingness to continue learning.
• A capable leader who can build and manage a team of technical specialists to support the needs of the LLC/Region blasting teams and customer’s needs.
• Think clearly and systematically while observing, analyzing, interpreting, evaluating, explaining, problem solving and making decisions.
• Willingness to “roll up the sleeves” and work with teams in a hands-on capacity.
• Reputation of integrity and building trusted relationships.
• A strong communicator who presents information clearly and concisely and regularly confirms correct interpretation by others of information provided.
• Demonstrates the ability to manage several projects simultaneously.
• Must be a self-starter with strong time management and prioritization skills.
• Organizes multiple schedules, events, and meetings efficiently.
• Continually looks to improve performance via development of professional skills and personal growth.
• Strong writing skills to develop clear, concise documents and reports.
• Strong presentation skills to build and deliver effective and engaging interactions with internal and external participants.
• Ability to train internal and external stakeholders on fundamental and advanced blasting topics.
• Ability to identify new ideas and transform them into new/improved services that benefit the company.
• Ability to be perceptive, to recognize trends in our industry and identify strategies to move innovation forward.

Education and Experience

A completed bachelor’s degree preferably in Mining Engineering. Relevant experience in lieu of education may be considered. 5+ years’ experience as a mining engineer, blaster-in-charge, or related industry experience.

Work Environment

This position requires up to 75% overnight travel working in office, plant and outdoor elements.

Location

Must be located within the LLC/Region to enable the required responsive travel required by the role.

Reporting Relationships

This role will report directly to the LLC/Regional President as a member of the LLC/Regional management team. This role will have some direct reports based on the current and future size of the LLC/Region technical services team.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Austin Powder is an Equal Opportunity and affirmativem action Employer and is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law. Austin Powder also participates in E-Verify. This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and for inquiring about, discussing or disclosing compensation. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.

Our Heritage

SINCE 1833, IMPROVING THE WORLD WE LIVE IN. Austin Powder has been making explosives for over 190 years and we take great pride in improving the world we live in. In 1833, the Austin family created the company to produce black powder that would help break the rock, mine the minerals and build the canals and railroads to develop the frontier. Initially along the banks of the Cuyahoga River near Akron, Ohio, we grew as the country grew. Today, Austin Powder is a world leader in the industrial explosives industry with a passionate commitment towards safety, a relentless customer focus, a family culture work environment, and a demonstration of respect of towards all. As in our early years, our mission continues to be to improve the world we live in through the safe and responsible use of explosives. Our success has been based on our core values and this has proven to be universally true around the globe as the company has expanded to be one of the leading providers of industrial explosives and blasting services in the world.