Job Description

:1) Job PurposeThe main purpose of this job is to provide technical leadership and disseminate the wisdom gained through experience across the alumina refineries of Hindalco as well as globally, for implementing long term technology research projects for Utkal, Muri, Belagavi, Renukoot and Aditya refineries along with strategic projects with other businesses. This will include - * Provide technical leadership to Process Function of HIC-Alumina in the areas of bauxite exploration analysis, bauxite processability studies, improvements in Bayer unit operations like desilication, digestion, bauxite residue settling, precipitation etc along with long term research on sustainable waste management & decarbonization for all the 5 refineries of Hindalco.

• Undertake developmental work for other Aditya Birla Group companies as well as for some international customers like Alcan, QAL, AluminPro, Gapco etc
• Interact with other premier institutions (like IITxe2x80x99s, IISCxe2x80x99s) research and technical agencies like CSIR labs, JNARDDC, Alcan R&D etc. to take advantage of the synergy available in various fields through collaboration, sponsored and joint development projects
• Work closely with all the alumina refineries & MCoE leadership team to align the process function delivery with business needs & strategy. Act as main point of contact to alumina refineries, ensure knowledge exchange, training, and close co-operation with technical and operations team.
• Technically Lead the Scientists towards excellence thereby maintaining the market leadership position of the company
• Networking with other experts both withing India and globally in relevant fields thereby anticipating and predicting future R&D and technological requirements of the company
• Identify potential areas of opportunities for process & quality improvements to initiate research projects. Develop and drive strategic research plan with refineries to close the gap, prepare CAPEX proposals along with business project teams.
• Stay updated with the latest advancements, trends, and emerging technologies in alumina industry related processes, and ensure awareness within Hindalco.
• Collaborates with ABG corporate functions, external agencies such as IAI, Niti Aayog & CSIR laboratories for implementing strategic projects and policy making.
• Develop deep technical expertise of process team through skill matrix mapping and facilitate for training on Chemical Engineering Calculations, Process Equipment Design, Safety and Sustainability

4) Key Result Areas/Accountabilities:Key Result Areas/AccountabilitiesSupporting ActionsProcess / Technology Development and Engineering

• Scanning of new technologies/ modified processes, benchmarked with global alumina industries.
• Design of experiments / Quality planning / Activity planning / Review etc. Identification of the need / Capability review
• Leading technology development for existing and new refineries through process engineering and equipment design to facilitate basic engineering design.
• Leading development projects as per Technology Roadmap for all the refineries of Hindalco with respect to Bayer process in order to improve productivity / reduce cost / improve efficiency & reduce carbon footprint.
• Leading research on strategic projects such as Gallium , rare earth elements and aluminium air battery. Collaboration with government agencies , CSIR labs for policy making. Interact with plant technical and operations team for project management and implementation.

Technical Expertise in Bayer Process / Alumina Upstream Process

• Solving complex problems affecting alumina refineries and other business and product streams.
• Representing Hindalco in International Conferences and Seminars and Niti Aayog Meetings for strategic projects.
• Submitting patents and publishing technical papers in national / international conferences. Leading and implementing innovation mindset in process function for achieving targets for patents/ technical papers.

Technical Decision Making

• Carrying out Business Impact Analysis for strategic projects for decision making
• Review and balance risks & implications of solutions on technical , operations and economics.
• Analysis of interaction effects & consequence for business solutions. Stakeholder engagement and communication of business solutions

Exploratory Research

• Identify long term needs of the Business and relevant exploratory projects
• Facilitate exploratory research in-house and in collaboration with others

Research Project Management & Compliance

• Oversee the planning, execution, and completion of research projects within process function, according to established methodologies and quality standards.
• Identify & Implement procedures to monitor and maintain data integrity, safety and lab protocols.

Innovation & Continuous Improvement

• Stay updated with the latest advancements, trends, and emerging technologies in the aluminum industry.
• Foster a culture of innovation, encouraging novel research ideas and initiatives to drive technological advancements and improve processes.

Collaboration and Networking

• Foster collaborations with internal and external stakeholders, including academic institutions & industry experts.
• Promote collaborative research, knowledge exchange and advancements in the field of Bayer process technology.

Customer Relationship

• Establish mechanism for sharing regular reports on research progress, findings, and outcomes with customer / stakeholder.
• Present research work, its impacts and value of the function's research activities to internal stakeholders & management.

People Development

• Identify skill gaps within the process function and provide training opportunities in to enhance their capabilities in chemical engineering design , Bayer process chemistry and safety.
• Promote a positive work environment, encourage professional development, and recognize achievements within the function.

Knowledge Management & Branding

• Encourage team to innovate and generate business relevant ideas and protection through patent.
• Encourage team to participate in industry conferences, seminars, and workshops to showcase research findings.
• Establish the function as a thought leader in the field of Bayer process research.

Technical CompetenciesEssential technical competencies

• Expert knowledge of Bayer process chemistry and Core Chemical Engineering concepts.
• Knowledge and experience on technology & engineering design of unit operations in Bayer process.
• Knowledge & understanding of steady state and dynamic modeling using SysCAD, and Six Sigma Concepts using Minitab and other related software for alumina refineries.
• Knowledge and experience on alumina refinery process control and engineering.
• Knowledge and experience on bauxite mineralogy, processability characteristics and application in alumina refineries.
• Understanding of mineralogy of bauxite residue , chemistry and rheological behavior and impurities mapping and impact on product quality.
• Deep knowledge of chemistry / chemical engineering and technological aspects for grinding, digestion, bauxite residue separation & handling, filtration , precipitation and evaporation
• Knowledge on data analytics & digitalization.
• Techno-economic evaluation of R&D solutions.
• Expertise in R&D project management.
• Technical collaboration skills.

Desirable technical competencies

• Knowledge of specialty hydrate and alumina.
• Knowledge of alumina quality parameters affecting chemical grades of alumina and aluminium metal
• Knowledge of Smelter operations
• Analytical methods and instruments for Bayer process research

Aditya Birla Group