Leading Hand Production Technician

About PLS

The world is going electric, and PLS is at the forefront of the charge.

Our collaborative, inclusive culture is a cornerstone of PLS. Humble, down-to-earth and genuinely invested in each other, we are one team united by a common purpose and driven to do great work together.

Being such a fast-moving company in clean energy transition means there is no shortage of challenge or opportunity. Whether it is taking on new projects, developing new skills or stepping into bigger roles, PLS is a place where careers move and where your potential has room to grow.

We're not a big corporate, and we don't want to be. At PLS you own your work, you're backed by people who care about doing a good job, and there's room to innovate and make things happen.

Positioned to be a major force for change, this is a great time to join us as we play a critical role in addressing the global energy crisis. If you want to be part of an organisation that is all about great people shaping the next era of battery minerals, we would love to hear from you.

The future is lithium, make it yours.

What PLS offers

• Access to newly refurbished facilities at Pilgangoora, including gym, tennis, pickle ball and volleyball courts, sports oval and scenic walking tracks
• Health and wellbeing allowance
• Paid community leave
• Monthly employee recognition awards
• Access to PLS’ KidsCo School Holiday Program
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program and Company Chaplains

The opportunity

Reporting to the Production Supervisor, this role will be accountable for the safe, efficient, and disciplined operation of the Mid-Stream Demonstration Plant (MSDP) in accordance with PLS HSE standards, procedures, and statutory requirements.

Key responsibilities

Shift Leadership & Supervisory Support

• Act as second-in-charge to the Production Supervisor; coordinate and delegate daily task allocation across the shift crew, adjusting priorities as operational demands change.
• Hold, or attain within an agreed time frame, Schedule 26 supervisory competencies; step up to cover the Production Supervisor during absences, leave, training, and roster gaps.
• Provide day-to-day guidance, direction, and leadership to Production Technicians across all areas of the MSDP; ensure compliance with approved operating procedures, SWIs, and site standards.
• Clarify task assignments before work commences – why the task is required, quality and tolerance expectations, associated risks and controls, the outcome expected, and the completion time frame.
• Support the Production Supervisor with shift crew scheduling, coverage arrangements, and resourcing to meet fluctuating production, shutdown, and campaign demands.
• Escalate issues, risks, and resource shortfalls to the Production Supervisor promptly; work with the crew to resolve problems at shift level where within authority.

Plant Operations

• Be, or become, fully competent in all areas of the MSDP including control room operation; operate plant and equipment safely and efficiently in accordance with approved procedures, operating envelopes, and production plans.
• Monitor, control, and adjust process conditions to maintain steady-state operation within design limits; direct crew response to process and equipment abnormalities to minimise risk, downtime, and production loss.
• Lead execution of routine operational tasks including plant start-ups, shutdowns, isolation's, chemical transfers, sampling, and field inspections.
• Act as Permit Holder, Permit Issuer, and isolation officer where authorised; verify isolation's are correctly applied, risks identified, and controls in place before work proceeds.
• Monitor equipment condition, status, and trends; ensure alarms are responded to promptly, causes investigated, and work requests raised for identified defects.
• Oversee daily production and process sampling; ensure representative samples are collected and analysed, and that results are acted on within agreed operating limits.
• Lead shift-level participation in MSDP phased commissioning, punch listing, start-up, and ramp-up activities; contribute to operating guidelines, SWIs, TARPs, and troubleshooting guides.
• Ensure Management of Change (MOC) processes are followed and PLS Safe Systems of Work are applied, including PTW, Working at Heights, Confined Space Entry, Electrical Safety, Isolation & Lock-out/Tag-out, Pressurised Equipment, Lifting, and Vehicle and Pedestrian Interactions.

HSE

• Set the safety standard for the shift; complete Take 5s, prepare and review JHAs, and intervene immediately when unsafe behaviours or conditions are observed.
• Ensure hazardous chemicals and reagents are handled, stored, and transferred in accordance with Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), Dangerous Goods (DG) regulations, and site environmental approvals.
• Ensure hazards, near misses, and incidents are reported immediately; support incident investigations and root cause analyses and drive timely close-out of INX actions.
• Lead the shift response to emergency situations including chemical spills, process upsets, and evacuations; maintain housekeeping standards across the crew’s areas of responsibility.
• Complete and coach the crew in lead indicator interactions including Critical Control Verification's (CCVs), Planned Task Observations (PTOs), and Field Interactions (FIs); present fit for work and participate in D&A testing.

About you

• Schedule 26 supervisory competencies held, or the ability to attain within an agreed time frame.
• Current Western Australian C Class Driver's Licence.
• Full working rights in Australia.
• High-Risk Licences: Working at Heights, Confined Space.
• Permit Holder and Permit Issuer competency, or the ability to attain.
• Isolation Officer / CIP Isolator competency, or the ability to attain.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in hydrometallurgical, pyrometallurgical, or chemical conversion processes, including time as a senior or lead operator.
• Fully competent, or able to become competent, across all areas of the plant including control room operation.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and direct a shift crew and hold others accountable to standards.
• Knowledge of statutory safety and environmental regulations relevant to chemical refining / mining operations.
• Working knowledge of DCS/SCADA systems and plant instrumentation.
• Good working knowledge of processing unit operations, technologies, and industry best practice.
• Strong understanding of chemical hazards, process safety, and environmental compliance.
• Operational discipline and sound decision-making under pressure in a shift-based environment.
• High attention to detail, strong analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Good written and verbal communication skills; ability to escalate safety and performance concerns effectively.
• Computer literacy including DCS/SCADA and downtime reporting systems; proficiency in MS Office Suite.
• Physical fitness to perform the role, including the physical demands of emergency or rescue situations.

Supporting an inclusive and diverse workforce

PLS is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating a workplace that values, respects and supports diversity and inclusion. We believe diverse perspectives strengthen our business and help us deliver better outcomes for our people, our communities and the future we’re building. We foster an environment where everyone feels safe, included and able to contribute their best. Our recruitment processes are designed to be fair, equitable and accessible for all.

We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, all ages, and people of all genders and sexual orientations (LGBTQIA+).

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and in the workplace to support all applicants and employees. If you require any adjustments, please let us know via the application process or inform our Careers team if you are contacted for an interview.

Our recruitment process

As part of our recruitment process, a number of checks will be conducted, including police / criminal background checks, medical assessments, drug and alcohol testing, due diligence, right to work checks and reference checks.

We respectfully request agencies not to submit unsolicited resumes.

Acknowledgement of Country 

PLS respectfully acknowledges the Nyamal and Kariyarra People of the Pilbara, the Whadjuk Noongar People of the Perth region and all the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who are the Traditional Owners and First Nations peoples of these lands.

We pay our respects to Elders past and present and acknowledge their continuing connection and care for the land, water and Country.

If you would like to learn more about PLS or register for future opportunities, please visit www.pls.com.