ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Chief Assayer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Albemarle

Lead Metallurgist

Kings Mountain, NC · On-site

Responsible for building and training the assay lab team and implementing the QA/QC processes to ensure assay lab quality and business sustainability * Responsible for daily metallurgical balance ...

Arvinas

Vice President, Neuroscience

New Haven, CT

This position reports to the Chief Scientific Officer and will be located at our headquarters in ... assays that support preclinical pharmacology and translational research. * Provides strategic ...

Arvinas

Vice President, Neuroscience

New Haven, CT · On-site

This position reports to the Chief Scientific Officer and will be located at our headquarters in ... assays that support preclinical pharmacology and translational research. * Provides strategic ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsChief Assayer Jobs

Chief Assayer information

See salary details

$33K

$124.4K

$200.5K

How much do chief assayer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for chief assayer in the United States is $124,409.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $93,000.00 and $146,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Chief Assayer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Chief Assayer, you need a solid background in chemistry, metallurgy, and analytical techniques, usually supported by a relevant science degree and extensive laboratory experience. Familiarity with advanced instrumentation such as atomic absorption spectrometers, ICP-OES, and proficiency with quality management systems like ISO 17025 are essential. Strong leadership, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for managing teams and ensuring accurate reporting. These skills ensure the integrity and reliability of assay results, which are critical for operational decisions in mining and metals industries.

What are some of the primary challenges faced by a Chief Assayer when overseeing a laboratory team?

A Chief Assayer often faces the challenge of maintaining consistent quality and accuracy in assay results while managing a diverse laboratory team. Balancing the demands of production schedules with strict regulatory and safety standards is a key concern. Additionally, Chief Assayers are responsible for mentoring junior staff, troubleshooting technical issues, and implementing process improvements, all of which require strong leadership and adaptability. Effective communication with geologists, metallurgists, and management is essential to ensure that all assay data supports the broader goals of mining or metallurgical operations.

What is the difference between Chief Assayer vs Assayer?

AspectChief AssayerAssayer
CredentialsTypically requires certification in assaying and management experienceRequires certification in assaying, often with less managerial training
Work EnvironmentOversees laboratory operations, manages staff, and ensures quality controlPerforms chemical analysis of ores and metals in laboratory settings
Industry UsageUsed in mining, refining, and precious metals industries for leadership rolesCommonly employed in laboratories for sample analysis and testing

The main difference between a Chief Assayer and an Assayer lies in their responsibilities and seniority. The Chief Assayer manages laboratory operations and oversees staff, while the Assayer focuses on conducting chemical analyses. Both roles require certification in assaying, but the Chief Assayer typically has additional management credentials and experience.

What are Chief Assayers?

Chief Assayers are senior professionals responsible for overseeing the process of analyzing and testing ores, metals, and minerals to determine their composition and value. They lead a team of assayers in laboratories, ensuring the accuracy and quality of test results. Chief Assayers also develop and enforce quality control procedures, manage laboratory operations, and may provide technical advice to mining or metallurgical companies. Their work ensures that materials are properly evaluated for commercial use and regulatory compliance.
More about Chief Assayer jobs
What job categories do people searching Chief Assayer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Chief Assayer jobs are:
Chief Assayer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Chief Assayer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 12% Internship, 7% As Needed, 70% Part Time, 3% Temporary, 7% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 23% Hybrid, and 77% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $124,409 per year, or $59.8 per hour.
Lead Metallurgist

Lead Metallurgist

Albemarle Corporation

Kings Mountain, NC • On-site

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

Be an essential element to a brighter future.
We work together to transform essential resources into critical ingredients for mobility, energy, connectivity and health. Join our values-led organization committed to building a more resilient world with people and planet in mind. Our core values are the foundation that make us successful for ourselves, our customers and the planet.
Job Description
We work together to transform essential resources into critical ingredients for mobility, energy, connectivity and health. Join our values-led organization committed to building a more resilient world with people and planet in mind. Our core values are the foundation that make us successful for ourselves, our customers and the planet.
Albemarle is looking for an experienced Lead metallurgist for Kings Mountain Lithium Concentrator. This position will be hybrid.
This Lead Metallurgist will be responsible for future metallurgical test programs and reviewing past and ongoing metallurgical testing programs, data interpretation, flowsheet design and selection, and incorporation of results into the overall feasibility study in cooperation with internal and external stakeholders. Focused areas of responsibility would include managing all dry processes all the way from ROM pad to crushing plant, ore sorting till the DMS separation plant.
Once in execution stage, the role will be responsible for the implementation, commissioning, and optimization of the concentrator and supporting operation for safely producing quality lithium concentrate while achieving the design capacities of throughput and recovery.
This position is part of Albemarle's Lithium Global Capital Growth Project organization team.
What you will do
Primary Responsibilities Include: Project Studies
  • Development and implementation of metallurgical accounting for the site, including sampling strategy and flows characterization
  • Review the concentrator design criteria and flowsheet, assist with developing an overall integrated operational readiness plan for the concentrator and ensure there are adequate detailed supporting schedules for technical services and construction teams
  • Develop, oversee, review, & coordinate geometallurgy programs and testing with geologists, mining engineers and metallurgists for optimizing the metallurgical performance for continuous improvement and sustainability
  • Support ore characterization and build an understanding of its potential impact on plant design and performance
  • Evaluate potential for by-products to be generated on site from mid process streams.
  • Help build the foundation for the process performance monitoring strategy to be set up at the new concentrator

Operational readiness and operation:
  • Assist the Manager, Concentrator Operations and Readiness, to develop the overall planning, execution, and reporting of operational readiness activities, including recruiting metallurgists, assay lab technicians, systems implementation, policies development and training
  • Developing the concentrator operator training program with third party. Focusing on developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) on the dry processes side, optimum operating parameters and metallurgical reports to support the concentrator ramp-up that are sustainable and aligned with best practices in the mining industry
  • Collaborate in the development of the schedule for plant technical services personnel to successfully support the commissioning and ramp up when custody and control from the projects group is transferred to the operations
  • Responsible for building and training the assay lab team and implementing the QA/QC processes to ensure assay lab quality and business sustainability
  • Responsible for daily metallurgical balance, reporting and end-of-month production reconciliation.
  • Develop and manage department annual budgets and quarterly forecasts
  • Develop, implement and maintain safe work procedures and ensure compliance with mine site safety standards
  • Work closely with maintenance department to improve the fixed plant asset efficiency for continuous improvement on the daily concentrator throughput once in operation
  • After the concentrator is commissioned, oversee the metallurgical research and development program for Kings Mountain concentrator ensuring new and innovative ideas are transferred and realized for maximum benefit

Skills and Competencies:
  • Strong analytical skills with details oriented with a practical understanding of mineral processing operations
  • Advanced knowledge in mineral processing and best-in-class operation practices
  • Solid knowledge of mineralogy, ore characterization, and geometallurgy
  • Experience with metallurgical testing, flowsheet development, equipment selection and sizing
  • Experience in the safety management of processing plants and associated facilities
  • Strong leadership skills and ability to create a positive work environment, ability to supervise diverse teams including metallurgists, supervisors, and lab technicians and mentor junior employees
  • Excellent project management skills, ability to drive results through proper planning and scheduling
  • Ability to build and support a high-performance team of metallurgists through leading by example and initiative, continuous learning, and coaching.
  • Operational excellence experiences with Six Sigma, Lean Kaizen, and continuous improvements approach
  • Excellent verbal and written communications skills
  • Digital Transformation knowledge, Artificial Intelligence applied to Value Chain Processes

What you bring
Required
  • Bachelor's degree in metallurgical engineering, mineral processing or chemical engineering required
  • 10+ years of progressive metallurgical experience in a mining/minerals processing setting
  • Experience in designing and reviewing test programs to support flowsheet design and optimization
  • Experience in start-up and commissioning of new equipment and/or facilities
  • Minimum 5 years of experience in the concentrator operation
  • Demonstrated ability to predict and make concentrate production forecasts and meet final concentrate specifications.
  • Practical knowledge concerning design and operation of common process equipment such as crushers, ball mills, screens, flotation, slurry filtering, pumps, blowers, heat exchangers, thickeners, tailing facilities, piping, etc.
  • Demonstrated ability to anticipate technical needs, drive metallurgical test work to make recommendations for process improvement changes based on data analysis.
  • Experience in training and coaching direct staff and contractors in safety processes and procedures, ensuring compliance with all applicable protocols and regulations
  • Knowledge of Metallurgical accounting best practices
  • Knowledge of mining (MSHA) safety regulations
  • Ability to effectively communicate with employees at all levels
  • Must be self-motivated and with a demonstrated ability of leading by example to motivate others
  • Experience in the preparation of capital and operating budgets
  • Familiar with concentrator automation and advanced process control systems
  • Knowledge of the storage, handling and use of reagents and minimizing the risks associated with reagents

It'd be great if you also have
  • Lithium mineral processing experience
  • Remote operations centers experience
  • Simulation tool, SysCAD, SimMet experience

Benefits of joining Albemarle
  • Competitive compensation
  • Comprehensive benefits package
  • A diverse array of resources to support you professionally and personally.

We are partners to one another in pioneering new ways to be better for ourselves, our teams, and our communities. When you join Albemarle, you become our most essential element and you can anticipate competitive compensation, a comprehensive package, and resources that foster your well-being and fuel your personal growth. Help us shape the future, build with purpose and grow together.
Be an essential element to a brighter future.
#LI-JH2
Benefits of Joining Albemarle
  • Competitive compensation
  • Comprehensive benefits package
  • A diverse array of resources to support you professionally and personally.

We are partners to one another in pioneering new ways to be better for ourselves, our teams, and our communities. When you join Albemarle, you become our most essential element and you can anticipate competitive compensation, a comprehensive benefits package, and resources that foster your well-being and fuel your personal growth. Help us shape the future, build with purpose and grow together.
Albemarle logo

About Albemarle

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Albemarle Corp (Albemarle) is a specialty chemical manufacturer. It carries out the development, manufacturing and marketing of highly-engineered value added products including catalysts, bromine and derivatives and lithium compounds.

Industry

Construction and manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Charlotte, NC, US

Year founded

1887

Social media

FacebookTwitter

View All Albemarle Jobs

Apply