Manager-Hot Strip Mill

Job Description

General Manager – Hot Strip Mill (HSM)

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position: Manager – Hot Strip Mill

Location: Pokhariya, Birgunj, Parsa, Narayani, Nepal

Reports to: Plant Head

Role Purpose

Lead and manage the complete Hot Strip Mill operations for production of Hot Rolled (HR) coils and HR sheets, ensuring achievement of production targets, superior strip quality, operational efficiency, cost optimization, and adherence to safety and quality standards. The role is responsible for end-to-end flat product rolling operations including slab reheating, rolling, finishing, coiling, process optimization, manpower management, and coordination with upstream and downstream departments to ensure smooth and efficient plant performance.

Key Responsibilities

Production & Operations Management

• Plan, organize, and achieve daily, weekly, and monthly HR coil and HR sheet production targets.
• Ensure uninterrupted operation of reheating furnace, rough mill, finishing stands, run-out table, laminar cooling system, and coilers.
• Monitor rolling schedules and optimize product sequencing to minimize width changes, cobbles, delays, and yield losses.
• Drive optimum mill utilization and operational efficiency through effective campaign planning and process discipline.
• Ensure smooth slab flow from Steel Melting Shop (SMS) to Hot Strip Mill.

Quality Assurance & Process Control

• Ensure strip quality parameters including:
• Thickness tolerance through AGC (Automatic Gauge Control)
• Width accuracy through AWC (Automatic Width Control)
• Flatness and crown control
• Surface quality and coil build integrity
• Ensure compliance with applicable standards including:
• IS 2062
• IS 10748
• Customer-specific quality requirements
• Analyze rolling defects and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Coordinate with QA/QC and Process teams for continual improvement initiatives.

Process Optimization & Technical Excellence

• Lead process optimization initiatives to improve:
• Yield
• Productivity
• Energy efficiency
• Mill availability
• Cost per ton
• Optimize reheating furnace parameters and rolling temperatures for enhanced metallurgical properties.
• Monitor and improve rolling practices, pass schedules, cooling patterns, and coiling temperatures.
• Support implementation of automation and digitalization initiatives in HSM operations.

Maintenance Coordination

• Coordinate with Mechanical, Electrical, and Automation Maintenance teams for planned shutdowns and preventive maintenance.
• Ensure effective maintenance planning to maximize equipment reliability and mill availability.
• Monitor critical equipment performance and minimize unplanned breakdowns.

Team Leadership & People Management

• Lead and manage a team comprising Deputy Managers, Shift In-Charges, Process Engineers, Coil Yard personnel, operators, and support staff.
• Develop a high-performance and safety-oriented work culture.
• Conduct manpower planning, skill development, training, and performance management.
• Mentor subordinate teams on operational excellence and problem-solving methodologies.

Safety, Compliance & Sustainability

• Ensure strict adherence to plant safety standards, SOPs, and statutory compliance.
• Promote zero-accident culture and safe rolling practices.
• Ensure compliance with environmental norms, energy conservation practices, and sustainability initiatives.
• Participate in audits, risk assessments, and incident investigations.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Coordinate with:
• SMS for slab quality and availability
• Maintenance for shutdown planning
• Quality Assurance for product certification
• Dispatch and Coil Yard for inventory management
• Sales & Marketing for customer order planning and product mix optimisation

Qualifications & Experience

Education

• B.E./B.Tech in Metallurgy Engineering or Mechanical Engineering
• MBA/PGDM in Operations Management will be an added advantage

Experience

• 15–20 years of experience in flat product rolling operations within an integrated steel plant
• Minimum 5+ years of experience as HSM Head or equivalent leadership role

Technical Expertise

• Strong expertise in:
• Hot Strip Mill operations
• AGC/AWC systems
• Roughing and finishing mill operations
• Coil build and strip quality control
• Reheating furnace operations
• Process metallurgy of flat products
• Rolling automation systems
• IS 2062 and IS 10748 standards
• Knowledge of SAP/ERP-based production systems preferred

Key Competencies

• Flat Rolling Expertise
• Production & Operations Management
• Quality Excellence
• Process Optimisation
• Technical Problem Solving
• Leadership & Team Management
• Data-Driven Decision Making
• Safety & Compliance Orientation
• Cost Control & Operational Efficiency
• Cross-Functional Coordination
• Strategic Planning & Execution
• Continuous Improvement Mindset

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• HR coil and HR sheet production (tonnes/month)
• Strip quality performance:
• Thickness variation (CV)
• Width accuracy
• Flatness
• Surface defect rate
• Coil build quality index
• Rolling yield %
• Mill availability %
• Reheating furnace fuel consumption
• Cost per tonne rolled
• Cobble frequency and downtime reduction
• Customer complaint reduction
• On-time production schedule adherence
• Safety performance and incident rate
• Energy consumption per tonne produced

Interested candidates may send their CV to: [email protected]

Subject Line:  Application for Hot Strip Mill (HSM)