Technical Performance & Data Transformation Manager

WHO IS LAFARGE?

As a global leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions, Lafarge is enabling greener cities, smarter infrastructure and improving living standards around the world. With sustainability at the core of our strategy, we are becoming a net-zero company, with our people and communities at the heart of our success. We are driving circular construction as a world leader in recycling to build more with less. It’s all thanks to our 7,000 talented people around the world who are passionate about building progress for people and the planet through four business segments: Cement, Ready-Mix Concrete, Aggregates and Solutions & Products.

WHO ARE LAFARGE PEOPLE?

Lafarge people are passionate about finding better ways to build. They embrace innovation and improvement with a pioneering spirit. They work as trusted partners, creating better solutions and experiences for their customers, communities, and colleagues.

Objective & Overview

Effective management of Technical Performance, Training, Quality Processes and Technical Data to ensure excellence in product performance, raw material cost management, quality control process and data driven decision making. Develop and maintain expertise on best in class quality control processes and technical data management systems for RMX in ECAN. Responsible for the defining technical data transformation road map leveraging digital solutions and key QC/QA initiatives to support operational excellence, superior quality & sustainability concrete performances and customer satisfaction.

Responsibilities

Safety:

• Implement of Lafarge Safety Policies and compliance with government legislation as well as providing training and orientation of all direct and departmental staff with a specific focus on behaviors and culture.
• Assist in the completion of Job Hazard Analysis for QC job functions and the development and implementation of Safety Improvement Plans.

Human Resources:

• Hire, train and develop technical staff within the department/product lines to drive excellence and consistency, as well as creating and initiating succession planning.
• Manage activities of the technical staff as well as develop and implement product performance & process training for quality, sales and operations staff and additional data related training for internal and external customers as required.

Concrete Product Performance & Optimization:

• Assist and support the development and management of annual mix cost and performance optimization strategies. establish and manage programs and accountabilities to ensure compliance of all products with relevant codes, standards, and specifications.
• In addition, responsibilities include the development & implementation of standard mix design methodology and management system/process, again in compliance with relevant codes, standards & specifications.
• Ensure VAPs specifications, mix design methodologies and best practices are known and followed by the QC teams across ECAN.
• Define and implement quality control processes and best practices to prevent customer claims and lost loads due to non-conform or non performing products.
• Manage and maintain the QC database and item uploads (SAP) including required GL and Sales Category Codes for pricing and BI/KPI reporting.
• Standardize tools, processes and reporting for accurate batching and quality, as well as preparing statistical analyses of plant operational performance and to lead investigative efforts to identify root causes and implement corrective actions via plant audits.  
• Establish, monitor, report and communicate RMX KPI performance with key stakeholders as required and investigate variances from plan and establish corrective actions as required. Analyticx & Reporting/Dashboarding tools for Technical KPIs, Mix Design Optimization and non-conformance prevention.
• Develop synergies between aggregate, cement and concrete for long product utilization, blended sand products, recycled concrete aggregates, overall cement/scm efficiency, ect for use at Ready Mix plants.  
• Identify and develop optimization and performance testing programs supported by data analysis to direct to the regional lab in support of the area QC/Technical Managers.

Contract Review:  

• Developing and implement contract review processes in conjunction with QC/Technical managers, VAP and Sales managers.  
• Support the review of all large project specifications, in direct contact with the local QC and sales teams & will provide recommendations for appropriate mix designs, proposal of VAP alternatives and appropriate aggregate products in support of marketing/sales initiatives.  
• This role will support standardized preparation and submission of Mix Design Documentation requested by customers in accordance with Lafarge Policy and in compliance with codes, standards and projects specifications.
• In collaboration with the Technical/QC managers and regional functions (Sales, Manufacturing), define and coordinate the technical training programs. In addition to defining and implementing best practices and processes for specifications review and VAP opportunities, the role will be responsible for investigating and evaluating the use of new analytical and reporting tools specific to specifications review using for instance AI approaches.

Technical Support & Development:

• Develop, standardize and implement Quality plans and processes, as well as perform quality audits, develop action plans for Quality improvement and monitor progress of implementation.  
• Provide expert customer support – specification activities with VAP rep., field sales support and quality incident investigation and resolution. Identify VAP opportunities, potential innovation and product improvement for customers and job sites, as well as develop Quality and product best practices for QC, sales and operations.
• Develop and lead Quality Plant audits programs across ECAN in order to review operations, sales, VAP and quality processes that can impact concrete product quality and performance.  
• Establish with the local team, practical and impactful action plan while supporting its execution.
• Develop and facilitate training programs to QC, Sales and operations on concrete, and material application, to apply the best practices across market areas, as well as to support programs with field and regional lab to benchmark Lafarge material performance vs competitors to effectively market our products.

Technical Data Transformation & Digital Solutions:

• Manage Quality digital initiatives and big data, develop and implement data strategies to improve overall performance, reducing raw materials cost and carbon footprint, improving concrete circularity as well as identifying mix design optimizations, VAP opportunities while reducing the risks related to non-conformance. Investigate, review, define and implement innovative tools and digital solutions helping data generation, collection, analysis and reporting to support data driven decision making within the ECAN RMX team.
• Develop practical tools as well as educational/training materials on how to leverage data, digital or AI solutions to bring ECAN RMX Technical team to another level will be a key mission of the role.

Financial Accountability:

• Participate in the preparation of the annual budget and monthly review process, as well as implement and track quality incidents and cost of poor quality material across ECAN.
• As part of the digital and data transformation responsibilities, responsible to develop in collaboration with the Finance department new analytical and reporting tools to control QC and raw materials cost as well as identifying critical cost saving opportunities.

Lobby/Representation:

• Participate in establishing a strategy to represent in appropriate industry organizations and Quality Standards Committees as well as represent Lafarge as required at Industry/Trade associations and technical committees related to Concrete and Data/Digital Solutions.

Relationships with other jobs:

Technical/QC Managers as well as the ECAN Innovation & Development Manager and other ECAN functions such as Commercial and Manufacturing/Operations 

• Define and implement critical and impactful data and digital initiatives

Operational, Sales and VAP Staff

• Establish of product performance goals and objectives ensuring alignment across functions as well as establishing Technical Data and Digital strategies. 
• Develop of the yearly quality performance and digital plan, including material optimization targets, product and digital solutions development, and long term plans.
• Provide the expertise to leverage technical data and innovative digital solutions to improve concrete performance while reducing costs, preventing claims while helping up selling VAP products. 
• Technical training of the Technical/QC, Operations and Sales teams on concrete performance, best practices with a particular focus on Data and Digital solutions for internal and external use.

Liaison with ECAN Digital Team, Marketing and Innovation

• Pivot with the ECAN Digital team in order to ensure the ECAN RMX data and digital priorities are well understood, properly supported and in alignment with the ECAN Digital and Data strategy. 
• ECAN Innovation and New Products Development initiatives involving new quality control procedures, new data or digital solutions for internal or external customers via the development and implementation of new systems, analytical or reporting tools.

Dimensions

• Direct Reports:    2
• Indirect Reports:    0
• Oversee Quality Control systems, technical performance and Data/Digital strategies for ECAN RMX representing 75 RMX sites producing around 3 Millions m3 of Concrete 
• Act as Technical Reference for QC/QA Management & System, Data and Digital solutions supporting up to eight (8) Technical/QC Managers in ECAN

Specific Accountabilities

• Safety
• Product Performance
• Mix Design & Optimization
• Quality Systems Management (Quadrel/Command)
• Quality Data Management and Digital Solutions
• Quality Policies, Processes and Training
• Product and Raw Material Quality Control and Performance
• Cost Management
• Troubleshooting
• Customer Service/Support & VAP Opportunities
• Performance & reliability of reporting tools & KPI reporting

Qualification Profile

Education and Work Experience:

• University Degree in Engineering or Data Science preferred with 5 years related experience in Construction or Building Materials, P. Eng.
• Relevant experience in construction materials or construction involving Big Data, Digital Solutions and the use of AI is a plus

Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong problem solving, analytical skills with the ability to communicate effectively complex technical information into practical and impactful solutions
• Excellent people management skills; ability to develop effective internal & external relations
• Strong computer skills and ability to quickly learn and use new software
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written
• Strong technical and collaborative leadership
• Ability to generate comprehensive reports from IT systems (Quadrel, Command, SAP, Qlickview, SalesForce)
• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to work well with others
• Disciplined and process-oriented with a high degree of rigor and accuracy in reporting
• Self-motivated
   

We thank you for your interest. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.  Lafarge is committed to the principles of employment equity and encourages the applications from women, visible minorities, and persons with disabilities.

Lafarge Canada Inc. welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. In Ontario, our organization/business is committed to fulfilling our requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.
 

YOUR LAFARGE EXPERIENCE
At Lafarge, there is endless opportunity for you to play your part. Whether you’re in a technical, managerial, or frontline role, you can shape a career that works for you. With us you’ll have the chance to embrace the passion we share for our planet. You’ll be encouraged to seek out diverse perspectives, share your ideas and build the skills and connections you need to perform at your best. Because it’s only when we work together in a culture where everyone thrives, that we can build the world we all want to live in.