Key Responsibilities
1. Overall Coke Oven Operations Management
- Lead end-to-end operations of Coke Oven, CDQ, and By-Product Recovery Units to ensure stable, efficient, and safe functioning.
- Achieve targeted Coke production, quality (CSR, CRI, moisture, ash content), and specific energy consumption parameters.
- Monitor and control charging, pushing, quenching, and heating cycles to ensure balanced battery operation.
- Coordinate operation of Coke Pusher Car, Charging Car, Quenching Car, Transfer Car, and CDQ systems.
- Ensure uniform oven heating, proper pressure balance, and gas flow control to prevent battery deterioration.
2. Process Optimization & Performance Improvement
- Drive optimization of coking time, oven pressure, temperature profile, and battery flue operation for improved yield and quality.
- Monitor key operating parameters through DCS/PLC systems and implement corrective actions.
- Benchmark operational performance against industry best practices and implement improvement measures.
- Coordinate with the Power Plant team for CDQ waste heat recovery utilization.
- Initiate and lead technical studies and process trials for yield and productivity enhancement.
3. By-Product Plant & Gas System Management:
- Oversee gas handling, cleaning, and distribution systems ensuring efficient operation of:
- Gas Cooling & Condensation Units
- Electrostatic Tar Precipitators
- Gas Exhausters, Scrubbers, and Condensate Recovery Systems
- Ensure optimal recovery of by-products (tar, ammonia, benzol, sulphur) with minimal losses.
- Maintain coordination with the Gas Distribution and Energy Management teams for stable plant operation.
4. Safety, Environment & Statutory Compliance:
- Ensure 100% adherence to Safety, Health, and Environmental (SHE) standards in all operational areas.
- Drive implementation of LOTO, PTW, confined space, and hot work permit systems.
- Enforce compliance with Pollution Control Board (PCB) norms and ISO 14001 / ISO 45001 systems.
- Conduct regular safety audits, risk assessments, and incident investigations.
- Promote a zero-incident safety culture through awareness and training programs.
5. Maintenance Coordination & Reliability Assurance:
- Collaborate with Mechanical, Electrical, and Instrumentation teams to ensure high equipment availability.
- Prioritize and plan shutdowns and overhauls in coordination with the Maintenance Heads.
- Ensure timely completion of refractory repair, valve inspection, and gas line maintenance.
- Monitor reliability KPIs and drive RCA and preventive measures for critical failures.
6. Manpower Management & Skill Development:
- Lead and manage a large multi-disciplinary operations team across Battery, CDQ, and By-Product sections.
- Ensure optimal manpower deployment, shift planning, and succession management.
- Conduct and oversee training programs on Coke Oven operation, safety, and best practices.
- Build a performance-oriented team culture focusing on accountability, technical competence, and motivation.
7. Energy Management & Cost Optimization:
- Monitor fuel and power consumption, and optimize specific energy usage per ton of coke.
- Drive heat balance improvement programs, waste heat recovery projects, and CDQ efficiency initiatives.
- Identify and implement cost reduction measures in raw material, maintenance, and operations.
- Collaborate with Energy Management Cell for ISO 50001 compliance and audits.
8. Documentation & Reporting
- Ensure accurate and timely reporting of production, quality, energy, and loss analysis.
- Maintain operational logs, performance dashboards, and daily progress reports.
- Prepare monthly management review reports, highlighting achievements, challenges, and improvement plans.
- Review and approve SOPs, Work Instructions, and Operational Manuals.
9. Cross-Functional Coordination:
- Coordinate with Raw Material Handling, Blast Furnace, Power Plant, and Utilities for smooth process integration.
- Interface with Projects, Maintenance, Safety, and Environment departments for synchronized performance.
- Liaise with corporate planning, energy, and finance teams for reporting and budget alignment.
10. Strategic & Continuous Improvement Initiatives:
- Drive Kaizen, TPM, and Lean Manufacturing initiatives across Coke Oven operations.
- Participate in and lead cross-functional improvement teams for performance enhancement.
- Evaluate and adopt new technologies for emission control, productivity improvement, and digitalization (IoT, predictive analytics).
- Contribute to long-term capacity expansion planning and technology roadmap for the Coke Oven complex.
Key Equipment Exposure:
- Coke Oven Battery and Machinery (Pusher, Charging, Quenching, Transfer Cars)
- CDQ Chambers, Cooling Fans, and Waste Heat Boilers
- By-Product Plant: Condensers, Scrubbers, Gas Exhausters, and Compressors
- Gas Cleaning, Tar Separation, and Ammonia Recovery Units
- Hydraulic and Pneumatic Systems
- Gas Distribution and Safety Interlock Systems
Qualifications:
- B.E. / B.Tech in Metallurgical / Mechanical / Chemical Engineering from a recognized university.
- Additional qualifications such as MBA (Operations / Industrial Management) preferred.
Experience:
- Sr. GM: Minimum 25–30 years of experience in Coke Oven operations in an Integrated Steel Plant.
- GM: Minimum 20–25 years of relevant experience with proven leadership in operations, CDQ, and by-product management.
- Experience in commissioning, stabilization, and performance optimization of modern Coke Oven plants (≥0.5 MTPA capacity) essential.
Technical Skills:
- In-depth understanding of Coke Oven battery design, coking process, flue heating systems, and CDQ operation.
- Expertise in By-Product Plant processes and gas handling systems.
- Knowledge of automation (PLC/DCS systems) and SCADA monitoring.
- Proficiency in data-driven decision-making, root cause analysis, and process control optimization.
- Familiarity with SAP PM/MM, MS Office, and plant MIS systems