Career Opportunities: Director Process Design (135538)

Description

This role is focused on driving value by improving the metallurgical performance of current and future processing plants, particularly for FM Americas. Key responsibilities include overseeing ore characterization, forecasting mill performance (throughput, recovery, and concentrate grades), and continuously improving the mill forecasting system using advanced software. The role involves acting as the Qualified Person (QP) for SEC reporting, developing process flows for plant expansions, and engaging with both internal teams and external engineering partners to ensure alignment with design and automation objectives. Additionally, the role evaluates new technologies, maintains supplier relationships, and supports site personnel in resolving critical challenges.

• Strategic Planning including:
  • Opportunity identification and framing
  • Converting Opportunities into Projects for execution.
  • Gaining approval for new projects from stakeholders
  • Identifying resources to assist with project execution
• Technology and Innovation
  • Embracing and leaning hard into Technology and Innovation in a way that adds value to the corporation
  • Assessing the strategic fit of various Technology and Innovation and determining whether to frame this as an opportunity.
• Project Execution including:
  • Management of internal and external resources 
  • Accountability for achieving project schedule and cost outcomes
  • Regularly communicating project status and outcomes to stakeholders
• Relationship Building
  • Engagement with personnel within Freeport-McMoRan Technical Services and its various departments 
  • Engagement with personnel across the wider Freeport organization, particularly FMA operating sites
  • Engagements with vendors, consultants, metallurgical labs
  • Maintaining and expanding a network of contacts in the industry focused on metallurgy and mineral processing
  • Coaching and mentoring of team members assigned to the Director, as well as management of their performance
• Other
  • Preparation and presentation of update material to FCX executive management and external business partners
  • Preparation and presentation of technical materials for patents and conferences
  • Organizing site and other visits

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• BSc or BE with 10 years experience in the mineral processing or engineering related fields
• At least 5 years of experience at a mine site. 
• Specialized technical expertise in three (3) metallurgy-related areas and good general knowledge in another 4 metallurgy-related areas.  Metallurgical areas include crushing, grinding, flotation, leaching, smelting, hydrometallurgy, liquid-solid separation (including thickening and filtering), tailings, materials handling, process modeling and simulation, statistical analysis, process automation control, sampling and assaying, and metallurgical accounting.
• Proficiency in speaking, listening, and writing English.
• Ability to travel 60-90 days per year.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Operational experience at an underground mine.
• Working knowledge of the Spanish language.

Additional Comments:

This Phoenix-based position supports growth in our FMA operations. 
The Director oversees a small team of mineral processing professionals and is responsible for their development, including through regular coaching and mentoring as well as for succession planning and justifications for head count additions.
Freeport engages world-class external process consultants and these may be located in other time zones. The Director will need to be able to hold and field evening and/or early morning calls, depending on the location of the consultants.
The incumbent must be available to undertakes domestic and international travel and should expect to be away on travel 60-90 days on an annual basis.
The incumbent will need to be able to work remotely from home. Occasional visits to our adjacent collaboration facilities, The Hub and The Zone, which are located in Phoenix will be required during the course of the year, on at least a quarterly basis, sometimes more frequently. 
 

Criteria/Conditions:

• Location requires mobility in an office environment; each floor is accessible by elevator.  Occasionally work will be performed in a mine, outdoor or manufacturing plant setting. 
• Must be able to frequently sit, stand and walk.
• Must be able to frequently lift and carry up to 10 pounds.
• Must be able to work in a potentially stressful environment.
• Personal protective equipment is required when performing work in a mine, outdoor, manufacturing or plant environment, including hard hat, hearing protection, safety glasses, safety footwear, and as needed, respirator, rubber steel-toe boots, protective clothing, gloves and any other protective equipment as required.