Job Description :-

This role will lead transformation and performance improvement initiatives across DRI and pellet operations, focusing on productivity, process stability, fuel optimization, metallization improvement, and cost reduction.

The role operates from the Centre of Excellence (CoE), Kolkata, and functions as a consulting-style engagement manager driving operational excellence through analytics, governance, and structured problem solving rather than day-to-day plant operations.

Primary focus will be on DRI operations, with selective involvement in pellet plant optimization and integration

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Key Responsibilities

1. DRI Process Optimization

- Improve kiln productivity, metallization, and campaign stability
- Optimize coal consumption, heat balance, and specific energy consumption
- Reduce accretion formation, ring issues, and process disturbances
- Improve char handling, material flow, and kiln availability

2. Pellet & Raw Material Integration

- Ensure consistent pellet quality for stable kiln operation
- Coordinate with beneficiation and pellet teams on feed chemistry, size distribution, and reducibility
- Support optimization of induration parameters and pellet strength where required

3. Throughput & Operational Stability

- Improve plant throughput vs rated capacity
- Reduce downtime, process interruptions, and quality variability
- Improve synchronization between beneficiation, pellet, DRI, and power operations

4. Cost Optimization & Efficiency Improvement

- Optimize coal, dolomite/limestone, power, and refractory consumption
- Benchmark operational KPIs and cost/ton against industry standards
- Identify and implement EBITDA improvement initiatives

5. Reliability & Maintenance Coordination





- Work closely with mechanical and electrical teams to improve kiln and critical equipment reliability
- Support shutdown planning and maintenance prioritization from a performance perspective
- Monitor recurring equipment/process bottlenecks and drive corrective actions

6. Governance, Analytics & Problem Solving

- Lead structured weekly/monthly performance reviews
- Conduct root cause analysis for production losses and process instability
- Develop dashboards and KPI tracking systems for DRI/pellet operations
- Build data-driven improvement roadmaps across plants

7. Site Interventions & Cross Functional Coordination

- Travel periodically to Africa operations for audits, diagnostics, and improvement projects
- Coordinate with mining, beneficiation, pellet, power, and steel teams for integrated optimization

Preferred

- Exposure to integrated steel operations
- Experience with pellet plant operations and raw material integration
- Consulting / strategy / business transformation background
- Strong analytical and structured problem-solving capability

Success Metrics

- DRI production vs capacity utilization
- Metallization and product quality consistency
- Coal and power consumption reduction
- Kiln availability and campaign stability
- Reduction in process disturbances/accretion frequency
- EBITDA impact from operational initiatives
- Improvement in overall cost per ton

Candidate Profile

Must Have

- B.Tech / BE in Metallurgy, Chemical, Mechanical, or related discipline
- MBA preferred
- 20 to25+ years of experience in DRI / Pellet / Iron & Steel operations
- Solid exposure to coal-based rotary kiln DRI operations
- Experience in process optimization, operational excellence, or transformation initiatives

📌 G.M. / Vice President - DRI & Pellet (Business Performance & Strategy) (Angul)
🏢 D tech Management Resource
📍 Angul