Jobs at HBM Nigeria Plc (Formerly Lafarge)

About the Job

The role is responsible for validating plant production data, consolidating and monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs), and supporting operational excellence through bench marking and performance tracking. The ideal candidate will provide accurate production and volume forecasts to support Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) activities and help prevent supply disruptions.

The successful applicant will also contribute to improving cost efficiency, maximizing plant output, and enhancing operational reliability across maintenance and production functions.

What you'll be doing 

• Develop and control the entire plant production plan
• Maintenance of the industrial statistical database, collation of all production statistics and reports (daily/monthly/yearly update and report), monitoring and reconciliation of all production stock including raw materials, semi-products, fuels, AFR and finished goods.
• Align production with business targets, sales forecasts, and plant capacity
• Plan and ensure optimal utilization of all major plant assets (including crushers, raw mills, kilns, cement mills and cement packers)
• Carry out all assigned tasks in compliance with Huaxin site safety procedures.
• Organizer of SOP (Sale & Operation) in the plant, assist with the plant manager to plan daily & weekly & monthly & yearly operational strategy.
• Deep dive into variable cost, assist with the plant manager to champion industrial consumption and efficiency.
• Work with the plant controller on the month-end closing and follow through in the bulk material stock taking.
• Work with supply chain team to make sure the sufficient stock of raw materials, fuels, AFRs, cement bags, explosives and production consumables.
• Align production plans with preventive maintenance and major shutdown schedules
• Work closely with maintenance teams to maximize equipment availability and reduce unplanned downtime
• Collaborate with RCA champion to ensure that all triggered RCAs are completed and action plan and properly tracked
• Review W+1 production plan with the Production and Maintenance managers and follow through with daily tracking of committed numbers
• Assist the plant manager in industrial KPIs reviews with CEO and COO and able to stand in when plant manager is absent
• Ensure adequate coordination with maintenance team to ensure major repairs, overhauls and kiln shutdowns are delivered on schedule
• Oversee all plant action plans and follow up for quick closure to boost performance
• Prepare the annual production plan and corresponding KPIs
• Carry out cost and performance bench marking with best in class Huaxin plants and identify actions to support the plant to close the gap.

Requirements

• Degree or equivalent in any engineering discipline (Chemical, Mechanical or Electrical engineering).
• 10 - 12 years working experience in a cement factory, preferably in production, process or quality department.
• Strong analytical & planning skills
• Good knowledge of safety laws and regulations
• Financial and budget management capability
• Leadership and stakeholder management
• Ability to handle multi-plant or large-scale operations

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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).

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About the job

To facilitate co-processing of alternative fuels and raw materials (AFRs). Ensure achievement of thermal energy cost reduction by defining and implementing programs for optimizing and increasing the use of AFRs co-processing units (cement plants). Contribute to increase the use of AFRs by developing methods to address operational challenges in terms of process, quality and environment. This also includes the follow through with reports, meetings, action closure through cordial relationship with Plant Manager, Performance Manager, Supporting Managers, H&S Manager, Training & Learning, Commercial and Legal, Geocycle etc.

What you'll be doing

• Prepare and coordinate the weekly, monthly meeting to follow up the Alternative Fuel (availability?), ensuring that the monthly budget for Alternative Fuel consumption is achieved
• Prepare and coordinate the annual elaboration of Alternative Fuel road map while tracking actions for Alternative Fuel.
• Benchmark co-processing cost & KPIs, support target setting process and challenge cement operation in the area of AFR utilization Define and implement operational performance assessments and process improvements in the field of co-processing and support on – site co-processing operations
• Register the actions generated on the ‘action log tracker’ for important audits, visits, projects, meetings in relation with stakeholders related with Alternative Fuel as Geocycle.
• Support Geocycle team in Alternative fuel related CAPEX in definition and prioritization of projects for optimizing and steady increase of Alternative fuel consumption Manage OPEX/CAPEX related to AFR plant operations.
• Ensure all potential process and quality issues related to clinker production are considered in the global fuel mix (Alternative fuel & raw materials)
• Determine and Maintain (with the support of Geocycle) the required inventory level of all Alternative Fuel materials and industrial waste to ensure continuous and sustainable Alternative fuel injection Leader/champion of the continuous improvement plan through innovation, improvement projects, ideas generation etc. (Is this for AF/TSR or all of plant improvement?)
• Maintain and further improve the health, safety and environmental aspects within the remit of this role and actively participate in the development of the health and safety culture on site.
• Monitor and optimize process parameters in terms of recycling waste materials from the quarry to the cement milling. Explore ways of efficiently managing the consumption of industrial waste coming to the plant and liaise with key managers for successful consumption
• Liaise with the Process manager) to optimize fuel mix and usage (traditional and waste-derived fuel) through results obtained from fuel analysis and obtain the most appropriate mix which favors environment, clinker quality and costs.
• Lead daily reviews to manage the % Alternative Fuel targets.
• Lead the Alternative Fuel meetings to achieve significant improvements in percentage Alternative Fuel consumption.
• Work closely with the Maintenance department to share knowledge and expertise that will help to improve the plant % Alternative Fuel
• Lead the performance and development of the staff within the department.
• Liaise with the Quality Manager to support and run trials to define appropriate process parameters for the production using Alternative Fuel, especially the new Alternative Fuel.
• Liaise closely with the Environmental Co-Ordinator to ensure process compliance with regulation and support the relationship with the regulatory Agencies.
• Support implementation of ISO 14001:2015 EMS and ISO 9001:2015 QMS in the department
• Ensure continuous follow up with production and process parameters that will allow for steady plant operation despite the fuel mix being utilized.
• Support to carry out other activities as may be required by management from time to time. (Co processing is already process related.)

Who you'll be working with

Internal

• Reports to Process Manager: to receive objectives & directives, analyze results and correct other activities.
• Interface with maintenance to achieve equipment performance at desired levels

What we are looking for

• Degree in Chemical Engineering or any other relevant degree with a certification in NEBOSH.
• Minimum of five (5) years process engineering within the cement industry is desirable.
• An in-depth knowledge of processes: quarry, raw meal preparation, burning, air flows combustion, grinding.
• Strong Excel and MS Office proficiency (including good knowledge of PowerPoint).
• Good knowledge SAP and SAP FC is a plus. Good knowledge of raw material chemistry, cement manufacturing process.
• Good knowledge of quality management systems (ISO 9002).
• Good planning skills
• Good knowledge of laboratory equipment and methods
• Good process knowledge of kilns, mills, separators and similar equipment.
• Ideally, have experience in undertaking process audits.
• Good knowledge about AF, Alternative cementation materials
• Knowledge of AF equipment, the process of AF production, characteristics, etc.