Head of Technical: Africa

Purpose of the Role

To establish and lead a high-performing technical function across Africa by embedding best-in-class blasting and mining optimisation practices, building regional capability, and delivering consistent, value-adding technical solutions that enhance customer performance and business growth.

This role is critical in translating global technical excellence into practical, high-impact solutions across Africa. It ensures consistent performance, strengthens customer partnerships, and builds sustainable technical capability to support long-term growth in the region.

Required outputs: Functional

1.    Regional Technical Strategy & Leadership

• Define and execute the Africa technical strategy aligned to global standards and regional business priorities
• Adapt global technical frameworks to suit local operating conditions, regulatory environments, and customer needs
• Drive standardisation of best practices while allowing flexibility for country-specific requirements
• Position the organisation as a trusted technical partner across African mining markets

2.   Technical Excellence & Operational Performance

• Oversee blast design, optimisation, and execution across surface and underground operations in the region
• Drive improvements in fragmentation, vibration control, productivity, and cost-per-ton outcomes
• Provide advanced technical support and troubleshooting for complex or high-risk operations
• Ensure consistent quality and performance of technical services across all countries

3.   Safety, Risk & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with country-specific explosives legislation and safety standards across Africa
• Lead incident investigations and enforce robust risk management practices
• Champion a strong safety culture aligned to a zero-harm objective
• Provide guidance on regulatory engagement and licensing requirements in multiple jurisdictions

4.   Commercial & Customer Enablement

• Partner with Commercial and Business teams to support strategic accounts and regional tenders
• Develop differentiated, value-adding technical solutions tailored to African mining conditions
• Support growth in revenue from technical and optimisation services

• Strengthen customer relationships through consistent technical excellence and advisory capability

5.   Innovation & Technology Deployment

• Drive the adoption of digital blasting tools, data analytics, and optimisation technologies across the region
• Ensure successful localisation and implementation of new technologies in diverse operating environments
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives in explosives application and performance
• Bridge global innovation with practical, field-level application in Africa

6.   Stakeholder Engagement

• Build strong relationships with regional leadership, country managers, and technical teams
• Engage with customers, regulators, and industry bodies across Africa
• Collaborate with Marketing to enhance technical brand positioning in the region
• Support knowledge-sharing across countries and integration with global technical teams

Qualifications, Knowledge and Skills Requirements

• Postgraduate degree in Mining Engineering, Mining Science, Chemical Engineering, or related field
• MBA or business qualification advantageous

   

• 12–15+ years’ experience in mining, explosives, and blasting operations

   

• Proven leadership experience in multi-country or regional roles within Africa

   

• Strong exposure to both surface and underground mining environments

• Experience working across diverse regulatory and operational contexts in Africa
• Proven leadership experience in multi-country or regional roles within Africa
• Strong exposure to both surface and underground mining environments
• Experience working across diverse regulatory and operational contexts in Africa
• Proven leadership experience in multi-country or regional roles within Africa
• Strong exposure to both surface and underground mining environments
• Experience working across diverse regulatory and operational contexts in Africa

Personal attributes

Competencies (skills, knowledge and characteristics)

Technical & Professional

• Advanced expertise in blasting science, explosives application, and mining optimisation
• Strong understanding of African mining conditions, including logistical and infrastructure challenges
• Knowledge of regulatory frameworks across multiple African jurisdictions
• Strong project and change management capability

Leadership & Behavioural

• Strategic thinking with strong regional awareness
• Cross-cultural leadership and stakeholder management
• Commercial acumen with customer-centric mindset
• Resilience and adaptability in complex operating environments
• Assertive, diplomatic, and solutions-oriented

AECI respects your right to privacy. Please review our privacy policy at https://investor.aeciworld.com/governance.