The Refractory Team Leader coordinates and guides refractory maintenance, repair, and relining activities across steelmaking units such as the EAF, ladles, and tundishes during the assigned shift. The role ensures the reliability, safety, and availability of all high-temperature process equipment by verifying work quality, enforcing safety standards, and supporting smooth production operations in coordination with other departments.
• Coordinate and guide refractory masons and ladle bay operators on technical procedures and safety compliance.
• Ensure proper execution of refractory installation, maintenance, and relining activities in EAF, ladles, and tundishes according to operational requirements.
• Verify that gunning, patching, casting, ramming, and brick lining work is carried out in accordance with approved standards, process parameters, and safety practices.
• Coordinate preparation and availability of all refractory materials from the store to ensure uninterrupted work and prevent delays.
• Ensure heat-up and dry-out procedures are conducted in accordance with refractory manufacturer guidelines and process specifications.
• Coordinate with Production, Mechanical, and Electrical departments to minimize downtime and ensure smooth execution of refractory-related activities.
• Assess complex operational situations and support timely decision-making under pressure to maintain safe and continuous operations.
• Verify and decide on the operational readiness of on-line ladles based on their condition and performance before authorizing them for tapping.
• Document shift-wise refractory activities, job completion logs, and material consumption reports through SAP or approved manual systems.
• Record and report any incident or accident through the Incident/INIR reporting system, ensuring timely submission and proper follow-up.
• Conduct toolbox meetings to reinforce safe working practices, discuss INIRs, hazard and risk identifications, ladder safety, and housekeeping requirements.
• Provide technical feedback and support failure analysis activities to enhance refractory performance and extend service life.
• Coordinate the preparation and entry of the ladle rotation plan into the Level 2 system to ensure production continuity and data accuracy.
• Monitor refractory wear patterns, document findings, and coordinate timely relining or patching to prevent equipment failure or unplanned downtime.
• Inspect refractory linings after maintenance and verify readiness for safe operation before handover to production.
• Ensure compliance with the Integrated Management System (IMS), including QMS, EMS, and OHSAS requirements, across all refractory shift activities.
• Guide and communicate with the refractory crew to ensure clear understanding and consistent application of all policies, safety rules, and work instructions.
• Support cost reduction initiatives by optimizing the use of spares, consumables, tools, and manpower without compromising safety or quality.
QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE & SKILLS:
• Required Qualifications:
- Diploma or bachelor’s degree in fields such as Mechanical, Electrical, Metallurgy, Industrial or related technical fields.
• Preferred Experience:
- Diploma: Minimum 5 Years experience as Refractory Shift In-charge in Steelmaking Plant.
- Bachelor’s Degree: Minimum 3 Years experience as Refractory Shift In-charge in Steelmaking Plant. - Relevant Experience may include the following:
o Experience in refractory operations within a steel making plant, covering units such as EAF, ladles, tundishes, LF, or CCM.
o Experience in troubleshooting, preventive maintenance and production monitoring.
o Experience in plant safety standards, ISO procedures, risk prevention measures and operating guidelines.
• Job-Specific Skills:
- Skilled in refractory installation, maintenance, relining and heat-up activities during production and shutdown conditions.
- Competence in guiding refractory crews and ladle bay operators during routine and abnormal situations.
- Capability to assess refractory condition and determine operational readiness of ladles and high temperature equipment.
- Skill in verifying work quality, shift documentation, material consumption record and maintenance reports.
- Ability to identify safety risks, quality deviations, and equipment concerns and escalate them appropriately.
- Strong adherence to safety Standards, SOPs lockout/tagout, and emergency procedures.
- Strong situational awareness, problem-solving, and communication skills.