Full time Derwent Industries is a 100% Australian owned and operated business and prides itself on providing its customers with products, service and solutions to meet their expectations.
Derwent has offices located in Hobart, Melbourne, Sydney, Wodonga, Auckland and Bendigo.
Their facility in Bendigo produces high integrity steel castings for the mining and transport industries and various engineering applications.
We are seeking to employ a Foundry Technical Manager for our Foundry in Bendigo.
Reporting to the Plant Manager, the Foundry Technical Manager will be responsible for managing the product development and technical operations within a steel foundry.
This role requires overseeing the metallurgical processes, ensuring quality standards, developing new products, and driving innovation in foundry technology.
The successful candidate will work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless production processes while continuously improving foundry performance, quality, and efficiency.
Duties of the role include (but not limited to): Lead product development initiatives, from initial concept through to full-scale production, for new and existing steel casting products.
Collaborate with R&D, sales, and customer teams to identify new product opportunities and market needs.
Design and implement robust production processes for new product launches, ensuring scalability and cost-efficiency.
Oversee prototype development, testing, and analysis to optimize product design and production parameters.
Ensure that product development meets industry standards, customer requirements, and regulatory compliance.
Lead the technical team in overseeing metallurgical operations, melting, moulding, casting, and heat treatment processes.
Maintain a high level of technical expertise in all aspects of steel foundry operations, including material science, metallurgy, and production technologies.
Monitor process performance and identify areas for technical improvement and cost reduction.
Troubleshoot production issues, offering technical solutions to minimize downtime and optimize operational efficiency.
Enforce quality assurance protocols to ensure the consistency and reliability of steel castings.
Collaborate with the quality control department to investigate and resolve any quality issues, implementing corrective and preventive actions.
Ensure all products and processes meet ISO or other relevant quality certifications and standards.
Provide leadership, coaching, and technical guidance to the production, engineering, and technical teams.
Foster a culture of continuous improvement through regular technical training and development programs.
Set performance goals, conduct performance reviews, and identify development opportunities for technical staff.
Ensure that all technical operations comply with environmental, health, and safety regulations.
Promote a safe work environment by implementing and enforcing safety protocols specific to foundry operations.
Manage the foundry's technical budget, working to reduce material costs and improve energy efficiency.
Identify areas for process optimisation, reducing scrap rates, improving yield, and increasing throughput.
The successful candidate must possess the following attributes: Bachelor's degree in Metallurgy, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
8-10 years of experience in a steel foundry or similar environment, with at least 3 years in a managerial or leadership role.
Deep understanding of steel casting processes, metallurgy, and foundry operations.
Ability to diagnose technical problems and develop innovative, practical solutions.
Strong leadership skills with a proven track record of managing technical teams and driving performance improvement.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively with various departments, customers, and external partners.
Experience in managing product development projects, including budgeting, timelines, and resource allocation.
Strong understanding of health, safety, and environmental regulations specific to foundry operations.
Ability to work in a high-temperature industrial foundry environment.
Meet the requirements of Derwent's Fit for Work Policy.
Some travel may be required for customer visits, supplier audits, or technical collaborations.
Remuneration will be negotiated with the successful applicant, based on skill level and experience.
Please note suitable applicants will be required to undergo pre-employment checks, including physical assessment and drug/alcohol screen.
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