Maintenance Specialist Instrumentation (North West) at Samancor Chrome

PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

• Drive the overall management, direction and continues improvement of all measurement and total reflected equipment. Support the on-site design, installation, and implementation of mine automation instrumentation, and networks aligned to the mine digitalization strategy with the primary objective being the automation and process control of WCM plants and underground mines.

SAFETY, HEALTH, ENVIRONMENT AND QUALITY:

• Identify and assess level of issue-based risk exposures in area of responsibility by considering exposures to business, financial, legal issues, people, equipment, material, environment, processes, etc.
• Consider the level of risk, apply mitigation and implement control measures for residual risk (set objectives, minimum requirements, etc.)
• Manage SHEQ compliance within the Process through effective use of the Toolbox
• Utilise the Integrated Management System (IMS) to initiate, investigate and report SHEQ status.

PEOPLE:

Manage the Section:

• Ensure an enabling climate/culture
• Manage labour stability by minimising labour turnover
• Labour complement in line with budget 
• Achieve HDSA/Female targets for the Section
• Manage performance against set targets and competencies
• Ensure IDP’s are linked to performance results and implemented as per plan
• Conduct career discussions and implement actions with all identified talent (quarterly)
• Ensure discipline is maintained (absenteeism, lateness, overtime, misconduct, etc.)
• Coach and counsel people to ensure improved performance levels
• Conduct recruitment interviews.

CUSTOMERS:

• Ensure Customer Satisfaction.

BUSINESS PROCESSES:

Operational:

• Ensure that the SAP PM data and work management meets Samancor Chrome standards at all times
• Monitor corrective maintenance workload vs available manpower
• Coach and mentor team members on effective plant maintenance management 
• Create quality awareness and quality service awareness within the team
• Provide regular feedback to the responsible engineers/managers
• Monitor and minimize overtime worked by team members
• Report all planned and unplanned to the Instrumentation Superintendent
• Compile and submit daily report
• Compile and submit monthly team performance report.

Equipment availability:

• Check uptime data, investigate where necessary and take corrective action
• React swiftly to any plant stoppages involving instrumentation equipment or automation faults, report all stoppages to the Instrumentation Superintendent
• Liaise with various departments and sections
• Become totally integrated into the operations team to provide a comprehensive control and automation support service
• Ensure that the correct spares and adequate quantities thereof, are in stock
• Ensure that relevant PLC spares and adequate quantities are kept in stock, and devise action plan to handle emergency situations
• Accurately file documentation for easy retrieval
• Prioritise and plan work within the team structure
• Compile preventative maintenance schedules on instrumentation, measurement, control and communication equipment 
• Authenticate PLC programs and ensure adequate back up facilities is available 
• Provide advice and support to central team members wrt troubleshooting and suspected automation related defects.

Stand by:

• Perform senior stand by duties on designated areas from time to time
• Report any bridging or plant stoppages during call outs immediately to the Engineer on standby
• Inform the Engineering Manager of any stoppages longer than 2 hours relating to instrumentation equipment and/or automation systems after hours
• Provide specialized on-site assistance to instrumentation stand by personnel if requested or should a call out extend longer than 3 hours.

Digital Transformation:

• Drive automation and control projects in line with digital transformation initiatives
• Install and maintain underground and surface OT network infrastructure. 
• Maintain relevant design documentation to as-built status. 
• Provide input and guidance where control system hardware and software changes are required. 
• Adhere to the management of change process to ensure the impact of changes are assessed and documented.

Support to automation and mechanisation team:

• Drive automation and related digitalization projects
• Interface to all relevant disciplines involved in multi-disciplinary projects  
• Coordinate with different functional teams to implement control strategies and monitor outcomes
• Develop processes and tools to monitor and analyse control strategy performance and data accuracy
• Ensure compliance to standards, procedures and guidelines for automation, instrumentation and networks 
• Where work is outsourced, provide input, guidance and oversight with regards to scope of work, deliverables, risk assessments, management of change and acceptance testing.  

Project Management:

• Clearly define scope of work, milestones and expected outcomes for contracted work
• Accurately evaluate delivered work from completeness and performance against specifications and standards  
• Interface with business units and external contractors with regards to implementation of automation projects on mining operations. 
• Interface with other engineering disciplines to establish how process control system can be utilised to aid in achieving their objectives.  

Training:

• Develop and present training modules to HRD standards
• Ensure compliance to standards through coaching and training of automation personnel. 
• Assist Samancor with knowledge sharing and training initiatives to familiarise operational teams with fundamentals of Process Control Systems, Instrumentation and Automation.   
• Be a mentor for Graduates in training, development them to become future Automation/instrumentation personnel  
• Provide specialist technical advice/assistance to customers and team members.

GROWTH

• Identify and implement continuous Improvement through Operational Excellence.

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• B-Tech Degree or National Diploma in Engineering Electronic and Light Current
• Trade Test
• 4 years’ relevant Instrumentation experience.
• Additional Qualifications:
• PLC Training and experience
• 5 years relevant experience - advantage
• Siemens PCS7 Qualification – advantage
• CCNA Qualification – advantage
• Project Management Qualification – advantage.

Knowledge:

• Microsoft Programme
• Demonstrate an understanding of New industry technology and innovations
• Understand and learn PLC related automation principles and software packages
• Demonstrate knowledge of PLC programming and systems 
• Demonstrate understanding of integration of SCADA systems
• Demonstrate knowledge of SAP systems
• Understand the role of Front-end loading/ Pre-project planning in Capital projects 
• Understand the principles of the mine to smelter value chain, and the impact of process control system software can have on the interlinked processes
• Analysing problems or data that requires an in-depth evaluation of multiple factors 
• Siemens PCS 7
• Clear understanding of Maintenance Strategies

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:

• Safety Leadership
• Innovation
• Planning, Organising & Control
• Results Orientation
• Problem Solving & Decision Making
• Relating & Networking
• Change Leadership
• Business Acumen