Area Project Manager – PMC

Role Summary

The Area Project Manager is effectively the PMC "mini Project Director" for a defined portion of the project, responsible for integrating engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and operational interfaces within a specific area of the RKEF smelter expansion. In a complex brownfield environment in Sulawesi, the role is crucial to ensuring that the new Train 2 facilities are delivered safely, efficiently, and ready for operation while protecting ongoing production from the existing smelter. The position combines technical leadership, contractor oversight, interface management, and stakeholder coordination to drive successful area-based project delivery.

Role Purpose

The Area Project Manager is responsible for the day-to-day leadership, coordination, oversight, and delivery assurance of a designated project area associated with the expansion of an operating RKEF nickel smelter through the addition of a second production train.

The role acts as the PMC's focal point for a defined area of responsibility and ensures effective integration of engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, operations interfaces, and contractor activities within that area.

Operating independently from both the Owner and EPC Contractor, the Area Project Manager is responsible for ensuring that EPC contractors safely and efficiently execute the work while meeting project requirements for safety, quality, schedule, cost, operability, and commissioning readiness.

The Area Project Manager plays a critical role in managing brownfield interfaces and coordinating activities within an operating smelter environment where production from the existing Train 1 must continue uninterrupted.

Typical Areas of Responsibility

Depending on project size and execution strategy, the Area Project Manager may assume responsibility for one or more of the following:

• Process Area

• Ore Drying Facilities
• Ore Handling Systems
• Rotary Kilns
• Electric Furnaces
• Electrode Systems
• Furnace Transformers
• Slag Handling Facilities
• Ferronickel / NPI Handling Systems

• Utilities Area

• Power Distribution Systems
• HV Substations
• Water Treatment Systems
• Cooling Water Systems
• Compressed Air Systems
• Fuel Systems
• Firewater Systems

• Infrastructure Area

• Roads and Drainage
• Buildings
• Warehousing Facilities
• Workshops
• Laydown Areas
• Conveyor Systems
• Port Interfaces

• Commissioning Area

• System Turnover
• Pre-Commissioning
• Commissioning and Start-up Support

Key Accountabilities

The Area Project Manager is accountable for:

• Delivery of assigned area scope in accordance with project objectives.
• Safe execution of all activities within the assigned area.
• Coordination of EPC contractor activities.
• Brownfield interface management.
• Quality assurance and construction readiness.
• Achievement of area schedule milestones.
• Mechanical Completion readiness.
• Commissioning and turnover readiness.
• Risk identification and mitigation.
• Effective communication between stakeholders.

Principal Responsibilities

1. Area Leadership and Coordination

• Act as the PMC's single point of accountability for the assigned project area.
• Lead and coordinate all project activities within the area.
• Ensure alignment between engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and operational requirements.
• Facilitate communication between project functions and stakeholders.
• Establish clear priorities and objectives for area teams.
• Provide leadership in resolving issues impacting area performance.

2. EPC Contractor Oversight

As a PMC representative, the role focuses on performance oversight and assurance rather than direct management of construction activities.

Responsibilities include:

• Monitor contractor execution performance.
• Verify compliance with contractual obligations.
• Review construction methodologies and work plans.
• Monitor manpower and equipment deployment.
• Assess progress against schedule.
• Escalate performance deficiencies.
• Facilitate resolution of technical and execution issues.
• Challenge contractor recovery plans where necessary.

3. Brownfield Integration Management

A key responsibility of the role is managing project execution within a live operating smelter.

Responsibilities include:

• Coordinate project activities with Operations and Maintenance teams.
• Support SIMOPS planning and execution.
• Manage utility and infrastructure interfaces.
• Participate in shutdown and tie-in planning.
• Ensure construction activities do not adversely impact Train 1 operations.
• Facilitate operational readiness reviews.

Brownfield integration activities may involve:

• Power tie-ins
• Water system connections
• Utilities integration
• Process system tie-ins
• Instrumentation integration
• Control system integration

4. Engineering and Technical Coordination

• Monitor engineering deliverables affecting the assigned area.
• Ensure technical queries are resolved promptly.
• Coordinate design reviews and constructability feedback.
• Manage technical interfaces between disciplines.
• Ensure engineering supports construction and commissioning needs.
• Review and monitor design changes impacting the area.

Particular focus shall be placed on maintaining alignment between design intent and field execution.

5. Construction Management and Readiness

Support the Construction Director in managing field execution.

Responsibilities include:

• Monitor construction progress.
• Identify and remove execution constraints.
• Coordinate work-front readiness.
• Facilitate interface resolution.
• Support construction planning activities.
• Verify materials and equipment availability.
• Monitor construction productivity trends.

Particular attention shall be given to:

• Rotary Kiln installation.
• Electric Furnace erection.
• Transformer installation.
• Structural steel erection.
• Utilities installation.
• Refractory installation.

6. Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE)

Demonstrate strong safety leadership throughout all activities.

Responsibilities include:

• Promote a proactive safety culture.
• Participate in field inspections and safety walks.
• Monitor contractor compliance with safety requirements.
• Support incident investigations.
• Ensure implementation of critical risk controls.
• Monitor SIMOPS-related risks.

Key risk areas include:

• Heavy lifting.
• High-voltage works.
• Working at height.
• Refractory activities.
• Hot work.
• Confined space entry.
• Energization activities.

7. Quality Management

• Support implementation of project quality requirements.
• Monitor contractor quality performance.
• Participate in inspections and audits.
• Ensure non-conformances are addressed.
• Verify turnover documentation quality.
• Promote right-first-time execution.

Key focus areas include:

• Furnace alignment.
• Kiln alignment.
• Structural tolerances.
• Electrical installation quality.
• Instrumentation installation.
• Refractory installation quality.

8. Schedule and Progress Management

Work closely with the Project Controls team to ensure achievement of area milestones.

Responsibilities include:

• Monitor detailed area schedules.
• Review short-term and long-term execution plans.
• Identify schedule risks.
• Support recovery planning activities.
• Validate reported progress.
• Monitor critical path activities within the assigned area.

Key milestones may include:

• Civil completion.
• Structural completion.
• Mechanical completion.
• Energization.
• System handover.
• Commissioning completion.

9. Interface Management

Work closely with the Interface Manager to coordinate:

• Engineering interfaces.
• Construction interfaces.
• Operational interfaces.
• Utility interfaces.
• Commissioning interfaces.

Ensure area-specific interface actions are identified, assigned, and closed.

10. Supply Chain and Materials Coordination

Coordinate with the Supply Chain Manager to ensure:

• Material availability.
• Equipment delivery readiness.
• Vendor support availability.
• Construction material priorities are maintained.

Particular attention should be given to:

• Kiln components.
• Furnace equipment.
• Transformer deliveries.
• Electrical materials.
• Refractory materials.

11. Mechanical Completion and Commissioning Readiness

Support transition from construction to commissioning.

Responsibilities include:

• Monitor system completion status.
• Coordinate punch-list management.
• Support turnover readiness reviews.
• Facilitate handover to commissioning teams.
• Ensure documentation readiness.
• Support operational readiness activities.

Critical milestones include:

• Mechanical Completion.
• Ready for Energization.
• Ready for Commissioning.
• First Ore Feed.
• First Hot Metal.
• Performance Testing.

12. Risk and Opportunity Management

• Identify and manage area-specific risks.
• Participate in project risk reviews.
• Develop mitigation strategies.
• Identify opportunities for improved execution.
• Escalate significant risks to project leadership.

Typical risks include:

• Technical Risks

• Design development.
• Vendor issues.
• Integration challenges.

• Construction Risks
• Productivity shortfalls.
• Material shortages.
• Contractor underperformance.
• Brownfield Risks

• Operational restrictions.
• Utility disruptions.
• Shutdown overruns.

RKEF-Specific Experience Requirements

The successful candidate should possess experience with some or all of the following:

• Process Facilities

• Rotary Kilns
• Electric Furnaces
• Electrode Systems
• Furnace Transformers
• Drying Systems
• Coal Handling Systems
• Slag Handling Systems
• Ferronickel/NPI Production Facilities

• Utilities & Infrastructure

• High-Voltage Power Systems
• Cooling Water Systems
• Water Treatment Plants
• Fuel Systems
• Compressed Air Systems
• Port and Logistics Facilities

• Brownfield Expansion Projects

• Shutdown planning
• Utility tie-ins
• SIMOPS management
• Operational readiness
• Commissioning support

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or Construction Management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Chartered Engineer or equivalent professional accreditation.
• PMP certification.
• Major Projects Leadership training.
• Construction Management certification.

Experience

• Essential

• Minimum 15 years of experience on major industrial projects.
• Minimum 5–10 years in senior project engineering, area management, construction management, commissioning management, or project delivery roles.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary project teams.
• Brownfield project experience.

• Preferred

• Nickel processing projects.
• Metallurgical facilities.
• Smelters.
• Mining projects.
• Power generation facilities.
• Large EPC or PMC projects.
• Indonesian or Southeast Asian project experience.
• Experience working alongside Chinese EPC contractors and suppliers.

Technical Competencies

• Project Delivery

• Construction management.
• Brownfield execution.
• Commissioning readiness.
• Operational integration.
• Contractor oversight.

• Management

• Planning and coordination.
• Stakeholder management.
• Risk management.
• Interface management.
• Team leadership.

• Systems

• Primavera P6.
• Microsoft Project.
• Power BI.
• Document Management Systems.
• Completion Management Systems.

• Leadership Competencies

• Strong leadership and influencing skills.
• Excellent communication abilities.
• Conflict resolution and negotiation.
• Problem-solving mindset.
• Cross-cultural management.
• Decision-making under pressure.
• Collaboration and relationship building.
• Results orientation.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Safety

• Zero fatalities within assigned area.
• Achievement of project safety targets.
• Effective management of SIMOPS activities.

• Schedule

• Achievement of area milestones.
• Mechanical Completion on schedule.
• Successful support of commissioning milestones.

• Quality

• First-time quality performance.
• Minimal rework.
• Successful turnover acceptance.

• Operational Continuity

• No unplanned impact on Train 1 operations.
• Successful execution of tie-ins and shutdown activities.
• Effective brownfield integration.

• Contractor Performance

• Timely issue resolution.
• Effective productivity monitoring.
• Successful recovery of schedule deviations.

• Stakeholder Satisfaction

• Positive feedback from PMC leadership.
• Effective relationships with Operations, EPC Contractor, and Owner teams.

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