Chief Chemist

Freeport-McMoRan is a leading international mining company with headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona. We operate large, long-lived, geographically diverse assets with significant proven and probable reserves of copper, gold, and molybdenum. The company has a dynamic portfolio of operating, expansion and growth projects in the copper industry. Freeport-McMoRan is one of the world's largest publicly traded copper producers, the world's largest producer of molybdenum and a significant gold producer. We have a long and successful history of conducting our business in a safe, highly efficient and socially-responsible manner.

We have the assets, the talent, the drive and the financial strength to provide attractive and rewarding careers of our employees. We encourage you to take the time to explore the opportunity to advance your career at Freeport-McMoRan.

Description

Provide oversight and direction for lab research, analysis and experimentation on substances and samples in support of mining operations and new technologies. Research and evaluate proper product and process development and application, and ensure optimization and improvement of analytical methodologies to develop processes and testing methodologies as needed for the organization.

• Coordinate and oversee multiple functions and contribute to analytical laboratory, including staffing, budgeting, purchasing, and customer support functions
• Provide site leadership, including oversight for/management of Chemists and Senior Chemists, including equipment, processes, contract management, approving SOP's and safety training
• Establish, organize and participate in training for uniformity of worldwide operations
• Participate in Company sponsored steering teams such as Freeport-McMoRan Analytical Services Steering Team
• Apply learning and experience worldwide, as needed
• Supervise, or may serve as technical expert on, the most complex laboratory analyses to provide optimum analytical support of mining operations and technical advancements
• Provide oversight for new analytical method development
• Assess customer needs and provide guidance and direction for new developments and resources needed to achieve the desired goals
• Provide advice and troubleshooting to mine sites as requested
• Participate on problem solving teams with site Engineers and Metallurgists
• Supervise, enhance, correct and monitor quality control, laboratory and analysis practices for the site
• Report quality control/quality analysis issues to appropriate site management, making recommendations and providing guidance to site management for correction
• Ensure QC/QA through oversight of regular review and make appropriate corrections or recommendations to assure quality data response to business units
• Provide guidance and counsel to the site management team on applicable programs, practices and existing/proposed local, state and federal regulations
• Maintain current working knowledge of applicable Federal, State and local regulations
• Actively participate in the selection, interview and hire of new employees in addition to mentoring and evaluating current employees
  
• Perform other duties as requested
  

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or closely related field with a strong emphasis in Chemistry (such as Chemical Engineer or Biology) and seven (7) years of Chemistry or Chemical Laboratory experience in an area or areas relevant to the assignment, including lead or supervisory experience, OR
• Master's degree in Chemistry or closely related field with a strong emphasis in Chemistry (such as Chemical Engineer or Biology) and five (5) years of Chemistry or Chemical Laboratory experience in an area or areas relevant to the assignment, including lead or supervisory experience
• Experience in research lab operations
• Advanced knowledge of the principles and methods used in complex chemical, laboratory and quality assurance analyses
• Knowledge of the principles and methods used in complex chemical, laboratory and quality assurance analyses
• Expert in current methods of instrumental analysis and data transfer and databases
• Ability to research and analyze information of considerable difficulty and draw valid conclusions
• Skill in supervising, evaluating, training and motivating employees
• Skill in effective communication, both verbal and written
• Ability to research and analyze information of considerable difficulty and draw valid conclusions
• Proven demonstration of leadership/management abilities
• Ability to develop and maintain awareness of occupational hazards and safety precautions
• Skilled in following safety practices and recognizing hazards

Preferred

• Proven experience in developing direct reports through leadership practices
• Demonstrated effective communication skills within and beyond department

Criteria/Conditions

• Ability to understand and apply verbal and written work and safety-related instructions and procedures given in English
• Ability to communicate in English with respect to job assignments, job procedures, and applicable safety standards
• Must be able to work in a potentially stressful environment
• Work is in a lab or mine setting, which may include exposure to extremes in temperature and humidity, moving mechanical parts and risk of electrical shock
• Work requires appropriate knowledge and cautionary PPE to neutralize exposure to toxic chemicals, explosives, fumes or airborne particles
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit, demonstrate manual dexterity, climb stairs and ladders, work on elevated platforms, talk, hear and see
  
• Occasionally may be required to lift moderately heavy objects (up to 40 pounds) during the course of the workday
  
• 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
  
• Freeport-McMoRan promotes a drug/alcohol free work environment through the use of mandatory pre-employment drug testing and on-going random drug testing
  

Freeport-McMoRan has reviewed the jobs at its various office and operating sites and determined that many of these jobs require employees to perform essential job functions that pose a direct threat to the safety or health of the employees performing these tasks or others. Accordingly, the Company has designated the following positions as safety-sensitive:

• Site-based positions, or positions which require unescorted access to site-based operational areas, which are held by employees who are required to receive MSHA, OSHA, DOT, HAZWOPER and/or Hazard Recognition Training; or
• Positions which are held by employees who operate equipment, machinery or motor vehicles in furtherance of performing the essential functions of their job duties, including operating motor vehicles while on Company business or travel (for this purpose "motor vehicles" includes Company owned or leased motor vehicles and personal motor vehicles used by employees in furtherance of Company business or while on Company travel); or
• Positions which Freeport-McMoRan has designated as safety sensitive positions in the applicable job or position description and which upon further review continue to be designated as safety-sensitive based on an individualized assessment of the actual duties performed by a specifically identified employee.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veteran/Disability

Nearest Major Market: Payson
Job Segment: QA, QC, Quality Assurance, Chemical Research, Chemical Engineer, Technology, Quality, Engineering