Manager Operational Improvement - Characterization

Why You Should Apply for This Job

At Freeport-McMoRan, we are committed to providing an employment package that recognizes excellence, encourages safe production and a culture supported by our core values. Here, you’ll find a collaborative environment where safety is a top priority, all opinions are valued, and people are empowered to grow in their career.

Our global headquarters is in Phoenix, Arizona. Several hundred employees support global operations in finance, human resources, information technology, planning and more from the main office, satellite offices or online. As a Hybrid employee, you’ll engage in virtual collaboration as well as attend in-person meetings at our Collaboration Hub in Phoenix or at one of our site locations. The Collaboration Hub provides an open, flexible workspace for individuals and teams to come together for various business needs. Amenities at the Hub include a working café, phone booths and meeting rooms with technology tools for virtual and in-person collaboration. In-person attendance may vary based on the position and department requirements.

Phoenix is the capital of the Grand Canyon State and enjoys mostly bright skies throughout the year. It is the perfect place if you enjoy the outdoors, love sports, concerts and other big city amenities or technology. There are great neighborhoods around Phoenix, with easy access to a major city, nature, the arts and many more amenities.

The Mgr Op Improvement– Characterization, will provide strategic and operational leadership for the stockpile characterization program, driving the validation of the Previously-Assumed-Unrecoverable (PAU) Copper model and supporting near- and long-term Leach to the Last Drop (L2LD) copper recovery improvement initiatives. This critical role oversees instrumentation, drilling, sampling, laboratory analysis, and data integration activities, ensuring alignment of cross-functional teams to deliver an enterprise-wide stockpile characterization program in support of the L2LD project objectives.

- Program Development and Execution: Establish a formalized, auditable stockpile characterization process for residual stockpiles, overseeing all stages from sample frequency planning to execution of sampling, preparation, and laboratory analyses. Ensure accurate collation and integration of data into stockpile modeling software to support robust decision-making and model validation.

- Alignment with L2LD Initiatives: Develop and align the stockpile characterization plan with L2LD copper recovery initiatives to minimize risks associated with input assumptions and quantify the impact of initiatives on target stockpiles. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of characterization data into broader recovery strategies.

- Sensor Technology and Precision Leaching: Design and implement a sensing plan for new stockpile placements to enable precision leaching, including the deployment of tools such as flowmeters, temperature and oxygen probes, and chemistry sensors. Characterize material properties and quantify the impact of L2LD initiatives through sensor-driven data collection and analysis.

- Communications: Provide regular updates and technical reporting to leadership and stakeholders, summarizing progress, key findings, and strategic implications based on data and field insights. Represent the stockpile characterization program in strategic planning sessions, technical reviews, and cross-site initiatives.

- Resource Planning and Stakeholder Management: Plan and manage resource requirements to execute the stockpile characterization program, including budgeting, internal headcount allocation, and coordination with external contractors for drilling, labor, and assaying services. Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to ensure alignment of objectives, timelines, and deliverables.

- Perform other duties as requested

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

- Bachelor’s degree in Geology, Mining Engineering, Metallurgy, or related engineering discipline and ten (10) years of experience in related engineering field OR

- Master’s degree in Geology, Mining Engineering, Metallurgy or related engineering discipline and eight (8) years of experience in related field

- Experience in leaching operations, mining operations, geo-metallurgy, or project management.

- Proven track record of leading cross-functional technical teams in a mining or industrial setting, and managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders.

- Strong leadership and organizational skills, system-based and strategic thinking.

- Expertise in stockpile characterization, sampling methodologies, and laboratory analyses.

- Proficiency in stockpile modeling software and data integration tools.

- Familiarity with sensing technologies (e.g., flowmeters, temperature/oxygen probes, chemistry sensors) for precision leaching.

- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to align diverse teams and present technical data to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

- Strong budgeting and resource planning skills, with experience managing internal and external resources.

Criteria/Conditions:

- Personal protective equipment is required when performing work in a mine, outdoor, manufacturing or plant environment, including hard hat, hearing protection, safety glasses, safety footwear, and as needed, respirator, rubber steel-toe boots, protective clothing, gloves and any other protective equipment as required

What We Offer You

This range reflects base salary only and does not include bonus payments, benefits or retirement contributions. Actual base pay is determined by experience, qualifications, skills and other job-related factors. This role is eligible for additional incentive compensation considerations based on company and individual performance.  Additionally, this position is currently eligible for annual long-term incentive consideration.  Long-term incentives are contingent upon authorized approval under the terms and conditions of the Company's plan and award agreements.  More details will be shared during the hiring process.

- Affordable medical, dental and vision benefits

- Company-paid life and disability insurance

- 401(k) plan with employer contribution/match

- Paid time off, paid sick time, holiday pay, parental leave

- Tuition Assistance

- Employee Assistance Program

- Discounted insurance plans for auto, home and pet

- Internal progression opportunities

- Learn more about our competitive and comprehensive benefits package!

What We Require

Freeport-McMoRan promotes a drug/alcohol-free work environment using mandatory pre-employment drug testing as allowed by applicable laws.

Please be advised Freeport-McMoRan will never request payment for job-related expenses from applicants. If you receive any suspicious emails, please disregard them, and report the incident to HRSC@fmi.com.