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.

1. 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.