Assistant Production Manager at HBM Nigeria Plc (Formerly Lafarge)

What you will be doing

Safety, Health & Environment (SHE) 

• Enforce compliance with all safety rules, PTW (Permit to Work), and lockout/tag out procedures during the shift.  
• Conduct toolbox talks and safety briefings for shift teams.  
• Ensure adherence to environmental standards (emissions, dust control, waste handling) during operations.  
• Participate in incident/near-miss reporting and investigations.

Shift Management & Production Control

• Lead and supervise all production shift activities to achieve daily production targets. 
• Implement daily/shift production plans, monitor process parameters, and adjust operations to optimize output and energy consumption.  
• Coordinate with Kiln Coach, field operators, and maintenance teams to ensure smooth and continuous operation.  
• Authorize startup/shutdown of key equipment according to SOPs.

Process Monitoring & Optimization  

• Monitor key process indicators (through CCR and field checks: kiln feed, free lime, temperature profiles, pressure, power consumption, etc.).  
• Identify process deviations and take corrective actions promptly to maintain product quality and plant reliability.  
• Escalate major abnormalities to the Production Manager and relevant departments.

Quality Assurance

• Ensure clinker produced during the shift meet quality specifications by closely collaborating with the Quality/QA-QC department.  
• Implement feedback from laboratory test results to adjust process parameters.  
• Minimize rework, off-spec products, and customer complaints related to operations.

People Management & Training 

• Supervise Shift managers, Kiln Production Coordinator and other production personnel on shift.  
• Allocate manpower, manage shift handover, and ensure discipline and adherence to procedures.  
• Coach, mentor, and train Production staff on operating procedures, process understanding, and safety.

Reporting & Documentation

• Prepare and submit required production reports (volumes, stoppages, incidents, consumptions, quality issues).  
• Ensure correct and timely logging of operational data and events in logbooks and systems.  
• Contribute input for daily production meetings.

Requirements

Critical Knowledge 

• Good knowledge of cement manufacturing processes and equipment
• Good knowledge of safety laws and regulations.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills (root cause analysis of process issues)
• Ability to work under pressure and make quick, sound operational decisions
• Good communication and reporting skills

Critical Experience

• Degree or equivalent in any engineering discipline or Sciences
• 5+ years’ experience in cement plant operations, with at least 2 years in a supervisory/shift leadership role
• Strong knowledge of kilns and process control (DCS/CCR systems).