Senior Project Manager, 3 Year Contract, Pretoria, R970k pa neg.

Our client in the Materials Science and Manufacturing (MSM) environment has a vacancy for a Senior Project Manager in their Light Metals (LM) group. The LM group focuses on the development of technologies for producing and processing titanium and aluminium alloys for application in industrial sectors, such as aerospace, automotive and medical, including work on selected composites containing these metals.

Novel processes have been developed by LM to beneficiate titanium-bearing minerals by producing titanium metal powder. Having this powder product, the Powder Metallurgy Technologies group of LM develops powder consolidation and alloying processes needed to produce near-net and net-shape components for adding further value to the titanium metal along its value chain.

You will take ultimate responsibility for the integration of the project ensuring that all project milestones, deliverables and specifications are met.

The position is based in Pretoria and you will report directly to the Environment Group Area Manager. You will work in close collaboration with the Group Leader of the Titanium Metal Powder Production Group, who will provide both a research and knowledge base to the project.

Qualifications, skills and experience:
• A post graduate degree in Business Management or Science and Engineering field.
• Relevant certificate/training in project management with a minimum of 5 years’ experience in project evaluation and strong business acumen.
• A minimum of 5-8 years’ experience in managing engineering related projects and good operational management experience.
• A minimum of 10-15 years in project management.
• Experience in managing large national initiatives would be an advantage.
• Excellent interpersonal relationship and stakeholder liaison skills and able to liaise with a diverse portfolio of people locally and internationally.
• Good financial management skills and understanding of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).
• Understanding of matters influencing global competitiveness and systems of innovation as well as the parameters for product morphology adjustment to meet commercialisation criteria.
• Must be a highly motivated self-starter who is able to work independently and has a strong track record of delivery and personal leadership.
• Ability to project manage the development team with regards to process development, process control, scale-up engineering requirements, operational performance, product specification finalization, quality assessment and controls and issue resolution.
• Identify and understand the technical hot spots, risks, challenges, operational practises, etc. that will require resolution and focus.
• Computer literacy.
• South African Citizenship is a prerequisite for this position.

Responsibilities:
• Managing the DST contractual project scope, budget and timeline whilst ensuring key project deliverables are adhered to. (Product quality and technology transfer package).
• Manage and oversee the operation, maintenance, safety( as per Legislation), testing and analyses of the pilot plant operation and performance, as well as effectiveness of the process technology and product characteristics including the mitigation of any risks in order to minimise unforeseen delays. This to ensure that the five pilot plant campaigns are completed as per agreed project schedule.
• Ensure compliance to the requirements of the development pack for handover to the commercial partners and assist with the commercialisation process and studies.
• Assist with identification of technology providers with whom potential sub-licensing agreements will be required.
• Develop project execution risk matrix to:
o Identify high risk areas for further development and mitigation.
o Identify and suppliers and negotiate licensing agreements for complementary technologies such as titanium tetrachloride production and molten salt electrolyses technology.
o Ensure identification of up scaling/industrial challenges for resolution.
o Ensure project and plant integration between the different process streams thereby ensuring that the strategy to demonstrate and pilot a novel and more cost effective process for the production of primary titanium metal powder is delivered on budget, on brief and on time.
• Manage contract finances to ensure effective utilization and control of financial resources.
• Communicate and liaise with all key project stakeholders, commercial partners, steering committees and report to the relevant project governance structures by preparing reports and updating the detailed integrated project plan of the technology development and pilot plant operation.

Our client is an Employment Equity Employer, giving preference to suitable previously disadvantaged candidates who contribute to the diversity of the Company.

Offer
Salaries will be calculated according to qualifications and applicable experience.

Instructions
Credit, criminal, qualification and employment history checks are a pre-requisite for this position.
Should you not be contacted within 10 days please consider your application as unsuccessful.
Please note that correspondence will be entered into with short-listed candidates only.