Operations Lead - Mining

Job summary

Lead and supervise daily mining and earthworks activities, managing a site-based crew to ensure safe and efficient material movement. Coordinate heavy equipment deployment and oversee the integration of mining activities with wash plant operations to maintain productivity.

Job details

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.

What you’ll do

Lead and supervise daily mining and earthworks activities, managing a site-based crew to ensure safe and efficient material movement. Coordinate heavy equipment deployment and oversee the integration of mining activities with wash plant operations to maintain productivity.

Requirements

Requires significant experience in mining or heavy civil construction with a proven track record of managing teams of 30+ employees. Must have hands-on expertise operating heavy equipment and the ability to commit to a seasonal schedule at a remote site.

Benefits

• Company-provided food • Accommodation • Site vehicles

Listed skills

• Production Planning · Preferred
• Heavy equipment operation · Preferred
• Team Leadership · Preferred
• Project management · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Mining Operations
• Heavy Equipment Operation
• Team Leadership
• Earthworks
• Excavation
• Crew Supervision
• Production Planning
• Safety Management
• Equipment Utilization
• Coaching and Mentoring
• Wash Plant Operations
• Material Movement
• Shift Planning
• Operational Troubleshooting
• Resource Coordination
• Project Management

Job areas

• Management & Leadership
• Construction
• Trades
• Energy
• Logistics