Director of Technical Services

DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL SERVICES
The Director of Technical Services for Austin Powder Company (APC), is the senior leader for our technical blasting services in the U.S. and Canada and is accountable for the safety mission of the Company. They are an integral part of the APC leadership team and will be responsible for setting the strategy, direction, key metrics, and driving accountability throughout the technical community. This position will manage a technical team responsible for the continual development and implementation of blasting techniques and technologies, blaster competencies, standard operating procedures and safety guidelines to improve the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of our blasting services. This position will also lead the development, management, and commercial viability of our APC explosive product lines to support the needs of our customers. The Director of Technical Services reports directly to the President of Austin Powder Company and will have dotted line responsibility to the LLC/Regional Technical Managers across the US and Canada.
Key Responsibilities and Duties
Safety:
Responsible for developing the strategy aimed at reducing instances of flyrock and misfire events.
Must be an active leader in our mission to be the worlds safest explosives manufacturer and blast services provider.
Establish, maintain, and drive the safety expectations and goals for all blasting and technical services.
Ensure systems are in place for systematic identification, investigation, and mitigation of risk.
Establish, maintain, and drive policies, SOPs, and best practices to facilitate safe, consistent and effective blasting services.
Monitor and review the status of investigations, or legal proceedings, regarding product complaints, misfires, flyrock, and other blasting incidents to determine root cause and identify corrective actions.
Leadership:
Represent the capabilities and needs of our technical services as an active member of the APC leadership team.
Lead by example, and through conscious choices, aligned with our core values of safety as or first priority, being customer focused, treating everyone with respect, and leveraging the power of family.
Establish agreed upon goals and objectives for direct reports with measurable outcomes and/or key performance indicators.
Responsible for developing our strategy to continually grow our blasting capabilities and capacities while ensuring we have the talent pool to execute our vision.
Ensure the company has the talent to execute its strategies by hiring and developing a strong technical team and making succession planning a core business principle.
Communicate clear and consistent legal and ethical standards and ensure organizational compliance.
Product and Application Technical Support:
Provide advanced technical guidance to employees and customers to include mine planning, blast design, product selection, post-blast analysis, blast optimization, and other blasting service needs.
Support manufacturing and commercial objectives through the continual improvement of the quality, performance, and profitability of our explosive products.
Maintain a high-level understanding of, and proficiency with, our blasting tools, software, and systems to support the developmental and troubleshooting needs of our teams and customers.
Ensure proper training materials, and programs, are available to support the safe and consistent application of our explosive products, technical tools, and blasting techniques for our blasters and customers.
Competencies, Skills and Knowledge:
Maintains a consistent, and respectful demeanor, in the face of constant changes and challenges.
Demonstrates broad knowledge of company products and equipment used in blasting applications and the willingness to continue learning.
Thinks clearly and systematically while observing, anal