The Executive Manager is responsible for leading the discipline technically including the development of the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) strategy and business plan. The Executive Manager: Mineral Processing Division facilitates a comprehensive range of metallurgical services at laboratory and pilot plant scale in the broad areas of flotation, physical separation and comminution. These are translated into commercial activities at the industrial scale.

Senior technical leader in comminution, responsible for decisions having major impact on the strategy and research direction of the organization and leading to international level recognition. Conceptualize and develop strategic research initiatives, secure funding, guide and manage complex intra and inter-organizational research.Lead the work on highly complex assignments requiring high degrees of cross disciplinary integration and specialised knowledge and skills. Exercise foresight, creativity and judgement based on firm scientific / engineering principles to ensure that large international research projects are planned, budgeted and guided to deliver significant novelty and impact.Maintain industry networks to identify multidisciplinary opportunities for research, developing new heuristics, models and approaches to leverage these into beneficial deliverables for the organization and associated stakeholders. Develop detailed business plans for the research area and prepare reports, publications and presentations at the level of an international expert.Responsible for technical oversight of multiple specialist areas simultaneously, signing off on technical work of the mineral processing discipline at the highest international standard and level. Establish and manage significant research capacity, including facilities, equipment and resources.Lead, guide and mentor senior staff, motivating and training them to learn and deliver scientific research at the highest NQF levels within the mineral processing field. Maintain international networks and keep abreast of latest industry research and market trends.

The board acts as the focal point for, and custodian of, corporate governance by managing its relationship with management and the stakeholders of the organization along King IV corporate governance principles.

Responsible for the preparation, delivery and administration of courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Lectured and trained Engineering theory and practice at ECSA accredited levels. Contributed to the research expertise of the Department by publishing research outputs in accredited international journals and presenting at globally recognized conferences. Raised research funding and obtained grants national and international funding bodies. Expanded research collaborations within the University as well as nationally/ internationally.Supervised/ co-supervised undergraduate students (research projects) and postgraduate students at MSc, PhD and postdoctoral levels. Developed and taught workshops and graduate development programs to senior metallurgists and process engineers at mining companies.Conducted independent and collaborative research and consulting work for global mineral processing companies targeted at optimizing process efficiency and economics. Developed novel methods, processes and models for performing plant and process audits using experiments, computational simulation tools, and statistical modelling. Prepared and managed budgets for research projects as lead and co-lead, monitored operational expenses, wrote progress reports and provided presentations to recommend strategies considering each technical and/or business case. Drove the evolution of facilities (upgrading or new) to support future research ventures.Assisted with fellowship and other people development schemes, particularly those with a transformation focus. Developed a culture of transformative and engaged scholarship in the faculty and wider University community.Engaged in my professional capacity with communities and professional bodies, translating research findings for relevant non-academic audiences and promoting social responsiveness through engagement with relevant public constituencies.

Coordinated and assisted research activities within the research centre. Participated in the identification of shared actionable goals for the progression of research and teaching projects. Drafted and edited project proposals and progress reports, supporting the logistics of research activities by conducting experiments, computational simulations and data analysis. Prepared oral and written presentations summarizing relevant outcomes. Planned laboratory, pilot scale experiments and mineral processing plant surveys within specified budgets. Assisted with supervision and teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students.Mentored junior members of the research team, including postgraduate students to meet the required standards of scientific investigation and intellectual engagement. Liaised with Departmental finance and procurement offices for administration, purchasing and payments related to research projects. Represented the Department in submitting research budgets and grants to the Contracts and Innovation office.