Career Listing

Chief Engineer, Kettle River - Buckhorn, Republic, Washington, USA

Reference no. KRBCEng7910

Purpose of Role: To lead the execution of the strategy for engineering and to ensure alignment with the organization’s overall strategy. To ensure continued growth of engineering, to maximize operational efficiencies and profitability, and to cultivate exceptional stakeholder and employee satisfaction.

Key Areas of Responsibility & Duties


1. To execute operational strategies for engineering and mine support

a. Executes short and intermediate-term strategies that the support the growth of engineering; ensures strategies are concretely linked to the organization's overall strategy

b. Leads the execution of strategies in engineering to enhance current engineering practices and performance

c. Develops systems and measures that appropriately assess engineering's performance and reviews progress to ensure achievement of targets

d. Manages the human, financial, and operational resources of engineering

e. Formulates the annual operating and capital budgets for engineering, consistent with Kinross' established financial guidelines and business planning process

f. Reviews daily operating plans with the Technical Services Manager and General Mine Foreman to establish production priorities. Coordinates engineering assignments with respect to those priorities, and assigns workloads to the engineering staff to ensure sufficient support for mine operations

g. Coordinates ore control, production reporting, project engineering, mine modelling, mine design, and mine planning activities with overall mine plans and production schedules

h. Develops / reviews quarterly, annual, and life-of-mine budgets for all mines within the operational unit

i. Represents the company in requests for bids to perform capital earthwork and site construction projects

j. Assists in the development of contract documents. Supervises contractors and engineers assigned to the contract. Coordinates the work of contractors and consultants as required

k. Manages the pit dewatering program and slope stability to maintain safety and production

l. Manages tailings dam construction to ensure uninterrupted milling

m. Manages "Dispatch" system to ensure operational efficiencies



2. To develop and implement business practices and policies within engineering that align with the organization's overall strategy

a. Implements processes, policies, systems, and practices within engineering that maximize safety, operational efficiencies, and competitive advantage

b. Acts as a change agent and project sponsor for key initiatives; models organizational values, sets the cultural tone, and prioritizes business goals

c. Collaborates with senior management to identify and analyze business requirements and the implications for the team; identifies gaps and implements agreed upon solutions

d. Provides overall advice and technical perspective to the department and site management

e. Supervises the development and / or application of computer programs which allow the engineering section to operate more efficiently

f. Updates the Mine Manger and the General Manager with daily, weekly, and monthly reports



3. To lead and manage a team responsible for executing engineering strategy

a. Identifies strategies and key performance goals and acts as an advisor to direct reports; works to overcome challenges and barriers, and minimize risk

b. Sets performance targets and measures, monitors and manages the overall performance of the function and direct reports

c. Builds the capabilities of the team to enhance engineering's ability to achieve financial and operating strategies; hires appropriately, leverages the talents of the function, and takes corrective action where necessary

d. Ensures there is a comprehensive and effective succession management strategy in place for the function; identifies succession role requirements and high potential talent, and actively develops key talent



Sustainability Expectations
Develops policies and procedures relating to safety, the environment and individual, and organizational development. Ensures that direct reports and respective work areas are in compliance with Health and Safety policies and regulations. Ensures that direct reports have the necessary training, skills, knowledge, and tools to do their jobs safely. Provides support to all areas on issues that jointly involve production and safety. Observes operations to detect the violation of safety regulations and compiles safety and production records. Assists in accident and incident investigations and ensures that recommendations are implemented by agreed upon dates.



Scope of Responsibility & Complexity
Work is performed under limited direction according to established methodologies and processes. Problem resolution is within established guidelines and procedures, requiring the use of judgement to determine which of many methods are applicable in any given situation. Work is complex involving routine problems or studies. Seeks assistance from others when dealing with unfamiliar or
problem situations. Ensures projects in the unit or area are completed on-time, on-budget, and to required standards. Initiates, implements, evaluates, and modifies own projects and plans in response to needs. Supervises and directs the work of a support or technical work unit.



Minimum Qualifications & Skill Requirements

- BSc in Mine Engineering

- Formal professional designation in appropriate area of expertise

- 5 - 8 years of related work experience

- Experience managing senior employees



Additional Qualifications & Skill Requirements

-  Knowledge of engineering techniques as they apply to ore body evaluation and mine operations

- A thorough understanding of mining and the integration of the mining, milling, and maintenance functions

- A thorough understanding of contract administration

- A thorough understanding of reserve estimation

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