Operations Lead – Mining

About the company:

Our client is a privately held Canadian company operating in the natural resources sector. The organization manages field-based operations in Western Canada and has built a reputation around operational discipline, safety, and efficient execution.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise daily mining and earthworks activities, ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with operating plans.
• Provide hands-on leadership to a site-based crew of approximately 10–15 employees, while bringing demonstrated experience managing larger teams of 30+ personnel.
• Plan, coordinate, and oversee large-scale excavation and material movement.
• Coordinate the deployment and utilization of heavy equipment, including dozers, excavators, loaders, and rock trucks.
• Operate heavy equipment when required and provide practical, hands-on coaching to equipment operators.
• Train, mentor, and develop operators to improve equipment utilization, productivity, operating technique, and safe work practices.
• Oversee and coordinate mining activities with processing/wash plant operations to maintain consistent material flow and overall site productivity.
• Monitor daily production and identify operational bottlenecks, equipment issues, staffing constraints, and opportunities to improve performance.
• Establish clear expectations for crew members and maintain accountability for safety, productivity, attendance, equipment care, and overall job performance.
• Lead crews respectfully and effectively, maintaining strong communication and a positive, performance-oriented working environment.
• Conduct shift planning, crew assignments, toolbox meetings, and shift handovers to ensure continuity between operating periods.
• Work closely with site leadership to coordinate maintenance, production priorities, staffing requirements, and changing field conditions.
• Troubleshoot operational challenges in real time and make practical decisions to keep production moving safely and efficiently.
• Support the continued development of operating procedures, training practices, and site standards as the organization grows.
• Initially work closely with the Operations Manager to become familiar with site operations, with ongoing communication and reporting to senior ownership.
• Maintain a strong on-site presence throughout the operating season and provide leadership wherever needed in a lean, hands-on organization.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in mining, heavy civil construction, earthworks, or a comparable large-scale excavation environment.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing excavation or material movement projects approximately $1 million in scale.
• Strong hands-on operating experience with heavy equipment, particularly dozers, excavators, loaders, and rock trucks.
• Proven ability to train, coach, and mentor heavy-equipment operators in safe and productive operating practices.
• Demonstrated supervisory or operational leadership experience, including successfully managing teams of 30+ employees.
• Strong people leadership and communication skills, with the ability to lead experienced crews respectfully while maintaining clear standards and accountability.
• Previous experience as a Mine Supervisor, Shift Supervisor, Mine Foreman, Shift Lead, Operations Supervisor, or comparable field leadership position is strongly preferred.
• Direct experience in placer mining is considered a significant asset.
• Experience operating, overseeing, or coordinating wash plant operations is strongly preferred.
• Candidates from broader mining environments will be considered provided they possess strong operational knowledge and can transition quickly with minimal training.
• Strong understanding of production-focused mining or earthmoving operations, including equipment utilization, material movement, crew coordination, and safe work practices.
• Practical, field-oriented leadership style with the willingness and technical capability to work alongside operators when required.
• Strong judgment and problem-solving ability in a fast-moving operating environment.
• Comfortable working within a privately owned, entrepreneurial organization where leaders have significant autonomy and direct interaction with ownership.
• Able to commit to an extended seasonal operating schedule, generally April through October/November, with a significant on-site presence throughout the season.
• Willing and able to work at a remote site; food, accommodation, and site transportation are provided.

Compensation & Opportunity

• Competitive annual compensation in the range of $150,000–$250,000, depending on experience and overall fit.
• Company-provided food, accommodation, and site vehicles while working on site. (Quesnel, BC)
• Opportunity to play an influential operational leadership role within a rapidly growing organization.
• Direct exposure to and communication with company ownership.