Process Manager

STELO GROUP; Noord-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

STELO GROUP is seeking a Concentrator Process Manager for a major base-metal concentrator in the Northern Cape, South Africa. The role leads start-up, ramp-up and stabilisation, overseeing operations, maintenance, engineering and commissioning teams to deliver safe and efficient plant performance.

You will optimise flowsheets, monitor metallurgical metrics and drive continuous improvement, with emphasis on throughput, recovery and product quality while coordinating with cross-functional teams

Qualifications

• Requires degree in Chemical Engineering or closely related discipline.
• Experience leading commissioning, start-up, ramp-up and stabilisation of processing plants.

Responsibilities

• Lead start-up, ramp-up and stabilisation with operations, maintenance, engineering, commissioning teams, OEMs and contractors.
• Own process performance including throughput, recovery and product quality; drive improvements and plant stability.
• Set priorities, coordinate with maintenance and planning on equipment availability and interventions.
• Develop and execute process operating plans, start-up sequences, procedures and stabilization priorities.
• Provide evidence-based progress reports on ramp-up milestones.

Skills

Process control

Metallurgical accounting

Leadership

Plant performance

Education

Chemical Engineering

Job description

Job Profile – Concentrator Process Manager

Role Purpose and Reporting

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 elevate decisions requiring support.

Performance Measures

• 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.