Lithium Pilot Plant Maintenance Manager-Beauvoir-France

Lithium Pilot Plant
Maintenance Manager
Beauvoir-FRANCE

Our client, a global leader in industrial mineral specialties headquartered in France, has launched a lithium production project in  France.

This project, is one of the largest lithium extraction initiatives in the European Union. It aims to meet Europe's decarbonization goals by Implementing best environmental and societal technical practices, producing low-carbon lithium, contributing to the EU's 2050 carbon neutrality target and establishing an integrated production process encompassing the entire upstream lithium value chain (extraction, concentration, and conversion), supporting French and European sovereignty over this strategic raw material. 

Following a testing phase with two pilot plants for concentration and conversion, the project is expected to commence operations in 2029. This marks the most significant mining project in mainland France in over half a century.

They are now looking for a Maintenance Manager for their Concentrator and Conversion Pilot Plants which will commence its operation in 2026. 

PRIMARY MISSIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Maintenance Manager for the Pilot Plants is tasked with building and leading respective maintenance teams. This involves preparing for the pilot plant startup (Concentration Plant) in line with project schedules while achieving safety and environmental objectives. Additionally, the role will play a crucial part in the operational preparation of the commercial concentration and conversion plants.

Responsibilities are divided into three key phases:

1. Before the Pilot Plants’ Startup (Scheduled for January 2026):
  • Participate in recruiting maintenance teams in collaboration with the HR department.
  • Develop a training strategy for the team.
  • Review, refine, and validate the operations preparation program and related schedules for maintenance teams.
  • Execute the operations preparation program for maintenance, including:
    • Establishing maintenance strategies for both pilot plants.
    • Defining and developing preventive maintenance plans and routes.
    • Implementing CMMS (SAP).
    • Defining work order processes in collaboration with the production team and weekly planning cycles.
    • Creating processes for planning and executing production shutdowns.
    • Drafting essential maintenance procedures (SMPs) based on project documentation.
    • Setting up workshops, tools, and equipment for maintenance teams.
    • Organizing stores and cataloging stocked items.
    • Establishing maintenance performance indicators and visual management dashboards.
    • Identifying subcontracting needs and implementing necessary contracts.
    • Preparing maintenance budget monitoring.
  • Contribute to operational preparation for production, health, and safety tools (training, process safety, change management, PPE selection), as well as process/quality (automation).
  • Collaborate on commissioning planning with the Production Manager, project team, and commissioning lead.
2. During and After the Pilot Plants’ Startup:

  • Coordinate the team to support pilot commissioning and ramp-up in a safe manner, achieving technical objectives as per the ramp-up schedule.
  • Ensure proper implementation of processes, rituals, and tools defined during the preparation phase, identifying improvements and coaching the team to make necessary adjustments.
  • Finalize CMMS implementation and ensure its effective use.
  • Monitor unit and maintenance team performance.
  • Track incidents (maintenance, safety, environment), conduct necessary investigations, and ensure proper corrective actions are implemented.
  • Communicate and collaborate with production, process, and project teams to identify technical improvements.
  • Work with the Production Manager to establish shutdown plans, scopes, and execution.
3. Before the Commercial Plants’ Startup (2028):

  • Actively participate in developing and executing the operational preparation plan for the commercial plants.
  • Adjust team organization based on established training and recruitment strategies.
  • Participate in design reviews during the detailed engineering phase of commercial plants.
PROFILE

Required Experience

Technical Competencies:
  • Mechanical and electrical maintenance of heavy industrial equipment.
  • Implementation of maintenance systems.
  • Operational excellence.
Management Competencies:
  • Supervision of maintenance teams.
  • Strong adaptability and ability to manage uncertainty.
  • Action-oriented with a focus on change management.
Qualifications and Background:

  • Generalist or specialized engineering degree.
  • 10 years of experience in continuous process industries, with a minimum of 5 years in maintenance team leadership.
DESIRABLE
Technical Skills:

  • Commissioning of operational units.
  • Automation and instrumentation.
Managerial Skills:

  • Competence management and training program development.
Qualifications and Experience:

  • Experience in commissioning and ramp-up of production units.

WHAT WE OFFER

In exchange, the ideal candidate will get a permanent contract, receive an attractive retributive package, while he gets the opportunity to sign on with a solid company and build his/her professional career in an international environment. Only the candidates that fulfil these requirements will be considered. Send your CV in English indicating the job reference to: akman.atilgan@conexusrecruitment.com. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
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