Technical Manager Jobs in Ames, IA (NOW HIRING)

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Job Summary The Western Mining Technical Services Manager is the leader of our technical products and services offering for the Western USA precious metals, base metals, and industrial mineral mining markets, both surface and underground. The individual will take the lead in the identification, vetting, development, and implementation of the various products, technologies, services, and techniques required to grow, and support Austin Powder Company’s Western US Mining customer base. The Western Mining Technical Services Manager must have a strong understanding of the different surface and underground mining methods and provide an extensive range of technical expertise in the blast design, product selection, surveying, loading, and analysis processes. This is a collaborative role that will require joint effort with the local, regional and corporate teams in the identification, development, sale, and application of those technical products and services required to meet the demands of the mining market. The Western Mining Technical Services Manager will work closely with the local, regional, and corporate sales teams to ensure we have appropriately located technical capabilities to support current and future customer demands. This role will be a member of the Corporate Technical Services team and report to the Director of Technical Services, North America.

• Help maintain a safe and healthy work environment by living our safety culture, empowering our team members, and assuring compliance with regulations and our policies and procedures.
• Responsible for ensuring Austin Powder can provide the products and technical services needed to meet customer needs and support our sales and growth targets in the underground market.
• Able to provide technical support to employees and customers to include blast design, product selection, surveying, post-blast analysis, blast optimization, mine planning, and other service needs.
• Help identify the product and technical service requirements needed to support existing customers as well as grow our current underground market share.
• Responsible for the identification and development of both surface and underground technical service representatives through joint efforts with corporate and LLC management teams.
• Collaborate with local and regional teams to ensure we are operationally and technically capable of providing the products and services required to meet the needs of our customers.
• Support the development and implementation of policies, best practices, SOPs, and training materials for both our surface and underground products and technical services.
• Develop and maintain proficiency with applicable technologies required for our technical services.
• Can be present on customer sites on short notice across the western US and Canadian (as needed) markets as required by our customers and at the discretion of management.
• Able to support or lead the investigation process of product complaints, misfires, and blasting incidents to determine root cause and identify corrective actions.
• Work with Corporate Technical Services and LLC Technical Managers to manage the identification, vetting, ordering, maintenance, and applicable training of our technical blasting equipment throughout the market.
• Develop respectful relationships and internal networks of expertise with our diverse team of technical leaders across Austin Powder.
• Work with the Product Managers to support manufacturing objectives to continually improve the quality, performance, and profitability of our explosive products.
• Work with the Product Managers to identify, test, qualify, develop, test, and implement product improvements, and new products, to support
• Build a thorough understanding of local, state, and federal governing agencies’ rules and regulations.
• Participate in relevant explosives industry news and events to build knowledge of industry trends, competitive products, applications, product development, and technical advancements.
• Assist with the definition and preparation of business cases to support CapEx requests, business development opportunities, R&D projects, process improvement initiatives, and more.
• Assist with the preparation of responses to RFPs and RFIs.

Maintains a consistent, and respectful demeanor, in the face of constant changes and challenges.

Able to communicate professionally and effectively with customer management and engineering teams to clearly understand their technical and operational needs.

Strong knowledge base of both surface and underground mining methods and techniques to understand and relate to customer needs with the ability to effectively communicate those needs to Austin Powder commercial, operational, technical, and management teams.

Strong communicator who presents information clearly and concisely and regularly confirms correct interpretation by others to ensure local support teams understand and can provide those products and services to meet the unique needs of each customer.

Demonstrates significant knowledge of company products and equipment used in various blasting applications with the willingness to continue learning.

Strong presentation skills to build and deliver effective and engaging interactions with internal and external participants.

A capable leader who can help build and manage teams of technical specialists to support the mining market product and service needs of the US and Canadian LLCs.

Thinks clearly and systematically while observing, analyzing, interpreting, evaluating, explaining, problem solving and making decisions.

Willingness to “roll up the sleeves” and work with teams in a hands‑on capacity.

Able to build trusted relationships based on integrity and respect.

Demonstrates the ability to manage several projects simultaneously and can effectively organize multiple schedules, events, and meetings.

Must be a self‑starter with strong time management and prioritization skills.

Continually looks to improve performance via development of professional skills and personal growth.

Strong writing skills to generate clear and concise documents and reports for internal and external audiences.

Train internal and external stakeholders on fundamental and advanced blasting topics.

Identify new ideas and transform them into new/improved services that benefit the company.

Ability to be perceptive to recognize trends in our industry and identify strategies to move innovation forward.

Ability to attain state blasting licensure and ATF explosive handling clearance.

A completed bachelor’s or master’s degree preferably in Mining Engineering. Relevant experience in lieu of education may be considered.

10+ years of experience as a mining engineer, explosives engineer, drill & blast engineer, blaster-in-charge, or related industry experience.

This position requires up to 75% overnight travel working in office, plant and outdoor elements.

Must be located within a predominant mining market with reasonable access to a domestic airport.

This role will report to the Director of Corporate Technical Services as a member of the Corporate Technical Services team.

This role does not currently have direct reports.

Austin Powder is an Equal Opportunity and Afffirmitive Action Employer and is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law. Austin Powder also participates in E-Verify. This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and for inquiring about, discussing or disclosing compensation. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran s.

SINCE 1833, IMPROVING THE WORLD WE LIVE IN. Austin Powder has been making explosives for over 190 years and we take great pride in improving the world we live in. In 1833, the Austin family created the company to produce black powder that would help break the rock, mine the minerals and build the canals and railroads to develop the frontier. Initially along the banks of the Cuyahoga River near Akron, Ohio, we grew as the country grew. Today, Austin Powder is a world leader in the industrial explosives industry with a passionate commitment towards safety, a relentless customer focus, a family culture work environment, and a demonstration of respect of towards all. As in our early years, our mission continues to be to improve the world we live in through the safe and responsible use of explosives. Our success has been based on our core values and this has proven to be universally true around the globe as the company has expanded to be one of the leading providers of industrial explosives and blasting services in the world.