Technology Engineering Manager (Pyrometallurgical Industry) – Sandton needed at MECS Ltd

The incumbent will manage the overall development, supply and installation of all technology equipment focusing on the pyrometallurgical industry.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree/Diploma in Engineering. A professional certification e.g. Pr.Eng/Pr.Tech shall be advantageous.
• Relevant certificates and diplomas in mechanical draughting.
• Relevant post graduate qualifications albeit technical, management or business related could be advantageous.

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience with design, contracts and clients in the pyrometallurgical industry.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience at an engineering management level within a profit- target driven environment.
• Experience in contract management, engineering, costing/cost control, HAZOP, SHERQC and multi-disciplinary construction of submerged arc furnaces and other pyro metallurgical projects.
• Experience in the interaction with Clients both on site and in formal office settings e.g. meetings, design reviews, etc.

Knowledge required:

• Multi-disciplinary furnace equipment design and application in large furnaces.
• Customers’ contact personnel (especially where the equipment is installed or can be installed).
• An in-depth understanding of pyrometallurgical furnace design and layout encompassing all aspects of the process flow i.e. from the charging system to the furnace proper, the electrode columns, high current systems and tapping equipment.
• An in-depth understanding of ancillary equipment supporting the operation of pyrometallurgical furnaces including, but not limited to, cooling systems, gas cleaning and post-tap hole handling.
• A working knowledge of metallurgical operations and processes.
• A working knowledge of the pyrometallurgical production environment.
• Previous operational experience will be advantageous.
• Local and international suppliers’/competitors’ competencies and capabilities.
• The principles of FEA and CFD modelling.
• Budgeting principles and control.
• MS office suite and other computer applications.
• Latest project management systems and software.
• Manufacturing and construction standards in South Africa and abroad.
• Relevant legislation OHS, MHSA, COID and Environmental Conservation Acts.
• Construction management, safety, quality and programming.

Skills:

• Organisational skills.
• Project management skills.

Prioritising ability.

• Ability to interpret 2-dimensional drawings in 3D.
• Contribute and transfer knowledge.
• Provide direction.
• Innovative thinker.

Problem solving ability.

• Team leadership skills.
• Listening to, interpreting and understanding feedback from clients and team members.
• Motivational skills.
• Sound written and verbal communication skills. 

DETAILED RESPONSIBILITIES

• Management of direct reportees including technology equipment engineers. This team is dynamic and may grow based on project requirements.
• Management of direct clients including the Technology Manager, Design Coordinator, design draftsmen, Quality Manager and quality inspectors.
• Management of your indirect clients which may include management members, other engineers and personnel.
• Function as a design expert on Pyrometallurgical Industry equipment and entrench yourself as the design gate controlling new designs and design improvements across all Pyrometallurgical Industry technology equipment.
• Execute contracts and support installations and commissioning following established procedures (project controls) for such activities, including preparation and control of decision list(s), design bases, cost control documents, document and data control, quality assurance, schedules and programmes, progress reports, punch lists, handover certificates, etc.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legal and statutory requirements and internationally accepted environmental, health, safety and quality standards.
• Taking all reasonable precautions to ensure that all Pyrometallurgical Industry Equipment, including Technology Equipment’s intellectual property stays within the company.
• Identify engineering deliverables arising from formal and informal interactions with the technology team, Technology Manager or Clients.
• Allocate engineering resources to departmental deliverables with due regard for the resources’ current work load, strengths, inclinations and business risk. Ensure that resource allocation supports the cross-skilling of the engineers across multiple equipment pieces.
• Establish delivery periods for the agreed engineering deliverables, and track deliverables formally utilising available software (e.g. MS Project and/or MS Excel)
• Daily interaction with Technology Manager and Design Coordinator on activities, deliverables and challenges.
• Technology equipment specifications and data sheets shall be maintained, created or improved regularly.
• Drive product development (including R&D) to keep ahead of market and competitors.

This will be a concerted team effort that includes:

• Obtaining or soliciting deficiencies from Clients and fabricators and implementing improvements.
• Implementing lessons learnt from previous contracts.
• Introduction of new cost-effective improvements to existing products as well as brand-new products to the market.
• Supplier assessment and development to ensure that fabricated and bought-out items are fabricated with suitable technologies and to the highest quality standards.
• Design reviews shall be conducted formally against an agreed checklist/workflow, actions/notes shall be recorded in line with the checklist as evidence that aspects were reviewed and close out actions to be tracked and reported on.
• Provide project related engineering and procurement deliverables and services for studies, tenders and projects. These include but are not limited to scoping, developing documentation (tenders) and cost estimates based on preliminary/typical designs, basic and detail engineering, contract cost control and review, project controls, construction, supervision, commissioning and handover.
• Compilation and implementation of quality control plans and test and inspection plans for technology equipment in collaboration with the Quality Manager.
• Presentations on Pyrometallurgical Industry technology equipment and capabilities shall be compiled and presented to Clients.
• Maintain regular contact and obtain feedback from clients and suppliers.
• Assist in driving Pyrometallurgical Industry technology equipment business growth and profitability.
• Encourage an atmosphere of collaboration and team work amongst your direct reportees and Clients. Get buy in to making the Pyrometallurgical Industry Technology Department the “Preeminent provider of technology solutions for the pyrometallurgical sector with flexibility and agility as their greatest attributes.”