Director of Process Operations

Job Description

Director of Process Operations
Reports to the COO

About the Opportunity
Our client operates an established open-pit mining operation running both a concentrator and a hydromet plant, and they're looking for a Director of Process Operations to take full ownership of concentrator performance. This is the senior processing seat at the site. You'll be the single point of accountability for safety, throughput, recovery, product grade, cost, and reliability, and the principal advisor to the COO on processing strategy and capital improvement.

The role is built around the trade-offs that make or break a concentrator: mill feed selection, achievable throughput given ore characteristics and equipment availability, recovery, and target product grade. If you've spent your career learning how to balance those levers to maximize business value, this is a chance to do it with real authority and a leadership team that wants your input.

What You'll Do
Operational Leadership

• Own the integrated optimization of mill feed, throughput, recovery, product quality, and operating cost, balancing trade-offs to maximize safety, business value, and concentrator performance.
• Lead the concentrator through the Mill Manager, Maintenance Manager, and Processing Technical Services Manager, with final accountability for operating decisions and results.
• Deliver production, recovery, throughput, quality, safety, cost, and reliability targets.
• Coordinate Operations, Maintenance, Technical Services, Mine Operations, Engineering, and Planning to optimize plant performance and equipment reliability.

Strategy and Planning

• Serve as principal advisor to the COO on concentrator performance, strategy, and capital improvement initiatives.
• Develop operating plans, KPIs, budgets, and performance targets.
• Lead commissioning, plant upgrades, and strategic improvement projects.
• Drive continuous improvement, operational excellence, and asset reliability initiatives.

People and Culture

• Ensure maintenance strategies and execution support safe, reliable, and efficient plant operation while minimizing downtime.
• Develop leadership capability and maintain a high-performing operations and technical team.
• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with environmental and regulatory requirements.

What You Bring
Education

• Bachelor's degree in Metallurgy, Mineral Processing, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.

Experience

• 12 to 15 years of progressively responsible experience in flotation concentrator operations, with demonstrated accountability for production and metallurgical performance and a comprehensive understanding of mine-to-mill-to-product optimization.
• 8+ years of leadership experience managing operations and technical teams within a flotation concentrator.
• Demonstrated success leading large processing organizations, commissioning projects, and driving operational excellence and continuous improvement.

Key Skills

• Strong leadership, strategic decision-making, and cross-functional collaboration skills, with the ability to influence organizational performance.
• Deep understanding of concentrator operations, metallurgy, maintenance integration, and business performance drivers.
• Excellent communication, planning, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ERP systems.

Physical Requirements

• Able to perform the physical functions of the role, including climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking on uneven surfaces, pushing, pulling, and lifting up to 25 pounds periodically.
• Comfortable working both indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Able to communicate clearly by telephone and mine phone or radio, and to distinguish warning alarms.

A Note on Fit
We understand no candidate will meet every single desired qualification. If your experience looks a little different from what we've identified and you think you can bring value to the role, we'd love to learn more about you!

Contact
Heather Simoens
970-209-2890
Heather@MRCrecruiting.com