Chief Operation Officer - Alumina Business - IIT/NIT

Position - Chief Operation Officer - Alumina Business

Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Job Location: Raipur, CG

Key Responsibilities:

- Direct integrated operations from Bauxite excavation to ATH precipitation across Group mining and processing units.

- Enforce process discipline to maximize Bauxite-to-ATH conversion while meeting end-use purity standards.

- Mitigate risks from red mud disposal, water scarcity, and Chhattisgarh's seasonal mine access challenges.

- Align alumina ops with regional demand from municipal water boards and polymer compounders.

Strategic Responsibilities:

- Formulate a 4-year operational blueprint to lift ATH recovery from 48% to 52% via Bayer process refinements, targeting 1.5 LT/annum by FY2029.

- Secure long-term Bauxite reserves through mine lease renewals, ensuring 10-year visibility for 2 MT/year digester feeds.

- Strategize red mud utilization pilots with cement majors, diverting 20% waste from ponds by FY2028 to cut remediation costs.

- Position ATH as preferred spec for Maharashtra fire retardant blenders, optimizing particle size distribution for 95% customer retention.

- Benchmark digestion efficiency against NALCO standards, aiming for 15% caustic recycle uplift via flash cooling tech.

- Scout secondary markets for low-grade bauxite, blending 15% into feeds to stabilize digester throughput.

Qualification & Experience:

- B.Tech in Chemical/ Mineral Engineering from IIT/ IISc/ NIT; M.Tech in Hydrometallurgy or MBA (Operations) desirable.

- 15 - 20 years in Alumina/ Bayer Operations, with 10+ years in CXO/GM roles at NALCO, HINDALCO, or Vedanta, managing >- 500 Crore P&L.

- Direct Central India tenure, handling Bauxite mines and refineries in Chhattisgarh/ Odisha corridors.

- Demonstrated success in yield turnarounds amid caustic price volatility and red mud pressures.

Required Skills:

- Deep command of Bayer process: digestion, clarification, precipitation, calcination cycles.

- Operational leadership in hazardous chemical plants with 500+ contractors and union dynamics.

- Cost analytics for alumina: liquor balance, soda efficiency, residue management metrics.

- Supply chain expertise for bulk reagents in remote mining districts.

- Proficiency in DCS/PI systems for process optimization dashboards.

- Regulatory navigation with IBM leases, CECB consents, and hazardous waste rules.

- Sustainability know-how: ZLD systems, red mud geopolymers, water auditing.