Site Operations Director

My client is seeking a Site Operations Director to join their Operational Business Readiness Team at Thacker Pass. In this role, you will oversee operations, site geology, mine management, maintenance, logistics, and technical services at the site, ensuring operational readiness and effective plant operation. The Site Operations Director will oversee all daily operations of the multiple integrated plants, from production and manufacturing to developing and subsequently ensuring policies and procedures are followed. The role will be responsible for developing and/or reviewing processes that will maximize stewardship, safety, quality, and productivity.  The plant will consist of a sulfuric acid plant, units for clay beneficiation, acid leaching and neutralization, crystallization, chemical precipitations, solid/liquid separations, ion exchange, drying, and packaging. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a mission-driven organization committed to innovation, sustainability, and leadership in the clean energy sector. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a mission-driven organization committed to innovation, sustainability, and leadership in the clean energy sector.

The role is based at their Winnemucca, NV office and reports to the VP of Operations. Occasional travel to other LAC offices, project sites, or vendor locations may be required.

Key Responsibilities

• Review, create and implement a positive safety culture for the site with the right procedures and programs. 
• Be pro-active in all aspects of operational safety, efficient utilization of resources, continuous improvement concepts and projects, encouraging teamwork between disciplines and departments. 
• Lead the Operations & Business Readiness (OBR) team to drive on-time and on-budget ramp-up of Thacker Pass, including project management, monthly reporting, coordination of all functions to ensure alignment, schedule management, and providing updates for company investors including DOE, General Motors and Orion Resource Partners. 
• Assist the leadership in developing the overall business strategy, particularly with regard to manufacturing systems and improvements to operational and maintenance strategies. 
• Set up the operations team to commission and start up the plant at Thacker Pass and bring it to design capacity. 
• Act as a gatekeeper for project changes to facilitate cost and schedule improvements without jeopardizing future operations. 
• Implement ERP and Operations Management systems at the site with the different functional teams. 
• Plan, organize, direct, and run optimum day-to-day operations to exceed our customers’ expectations. 
• Provide input and direction in regards to site management and operations for future Phases of production at Thacker Pass. 
• Optimize plans with site geology and mining management. 
• Allocate resources effectively and fully utilize assets to produce optimal results. 
• Be responsible for production output, product quality and on-time shipping or logistics management. 
• Implement strategies in alignment with strategic initiatives and provide a clear sense of direction and focus such as ISO-9001, ISO-140001, and ISO-45001. 
• Share a trusting relationship with workgroup and recruit, manage and develop plant staff. 
• Monitor operations and trigger corrective actions. 
• Collect and analyze data to identify and minimize waste or overtime. 
• Develop systems and processes that track and optimize productivity and standards, metrics, and performance targets to ensure effective return on assets. 
• Stay up to date with latest production management best practices and concepts. 
• Create a working environment that allows employees and contractors to achieve their full potential through effective training and mentoring. 
• Implement performance management processes to support optimal employee performance, address personnel and employee relations issues, and correct substandard performance by means of effective conflict resolution. 
• Builds and maintains trusted relationships across all teams while championing a culture that reflects and supports our Purpose, Vision, and Values
• Perform other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering or equivalent work experience required. 
• Fifteen or more years’ experience serving as a manager or similar role in the chemical or mineral industry. 
• Proven work experience as a Plant Manager. 
• Strong team building, decision-making, and people management skills. 
• Adequate knowledge of business and management principles and systems (budgeting, strategic planning, resource allocation and human resources). 
• Strong understanding of chemical process engineering principles and unit operations. 
• Experience with large scale chemical, mineral, and hydrometallurgical processes is preferred. 
• Experience in an OSHA PSM facility is required. 
• Strong interest and focus on safety and environment. 
• A leader with the ability to motivate and inspire your team. 
• Effective and open verbal and written skills with the ability motivate team members toward their goals. 
• Ability to multi-task and coordinate several projects in parallel, while prioritizing and pursuing critical-path tasks on an accelerating schedule. 
• Ability to work well with others internally and externally to the organization in an effective manner. 
• Ability to critically challenge assumptions, “think outside the box”, and deliver creative solutions. 
• Be a self-starter: highly motivated, able to work independently, with high energy. 
• Bring a positive attitude and willingness to embrace diverse perspectives in a collaborative working environment.  

With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.