Alcoa (NYSE: AA) is a global industry leader in bauxite, alumina and aluminum products, with a strong portfolio of value-added cast and rolled products and substantial energy assets. Alcoa is built on a foundation of strong values and operating excellence dating back nearly 130 years to the world-changing discovery that made aluminum an affordable and vital part of modern life. Since inventing the aluminum industry, and throughout our history, our talented Alcoans have followed on with breakthrough innovations and best practices that have led to efficiency, safety, sustainability and stronger communities wherever we operate.

Reporting to Vice President, Center of Excellence the Director of Smelting Technology has the mandate of the Business Unit to develop and execute the technology strategy for all aspects of aluminum smelting in alignment with the growth, productivity, and sustainability goals of the business.  Maintain a robust pipeline of projects and ensure safe and rapid commercialization across a global manufacturing footprint. Manage $5MM annual budget and an interdisciplinary team of technologists located globally. 

Major activities:

• Maintain an evergreen view of relevant macro-economic trends, technological and manufacturing advancements, and operational headwinds.
• Benchmark Alcoa’s competition.
• Develop and maintain an innovation pipeline of projects to most effectively address opportunities and headwinds.
• Champion standardized process for innovation management (stage gate).
• Structure R&D work and resources to meet KPI’s and business targets.
• Build and maintain governance models with key stakeholders to ensure sponsorship and alignment of resources and portfolio direction.
• Develop talent in the R&D team to ensure robust pipeline of experts in Alcoa’s smelting core competencies.
• Develop and maintain relationships with leadership at Alcoa smelting facilities.
• Develop and maintain relationships with external innovation sources (universities, government labs) to extend Alcoa’s innovation capabilities.
• Pursue continuous learning consistent with the movement of the job requirements and technology changes.

• Master’s Degree in engineering, or metallurgy (Ph.D. preferred)
• MBA desirable
• Must have practical experience of a minimum of 8-10 years
• Must have demonstrated management experience of at least 5 years.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Functional knowledge in at least one of the key technical areas in smelting (carbon materials, CFD modeling, electrochemistry, process controls)
• Strategic orientation
• Customer/stakeholder focused
• Strong relationship builder; collaborative including working in cross functional and virtual teams
• Engages and inspires while embracing diversity of thinking and broad global perspectives.
• Embraces and preservers through ambiguity and change
• Advocates for end-to-end experiences, data-motivated decision-making and improvements that help us evolve our work process 
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to collect, organize, evaluate, and disseminate significant amounts of information with attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong communication skills
• Travel requirements: Expect to travel around 40% of time.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.