Ready to build a rewarding career in an industry that is transforming the future?
Who We Are
We are Vale Base Metals – a global supplier of the critical minerals transforming the future.
With industry-leading reserves of copper and nickel in Canada, Brazil, and Indonesia, and state-of-the-art infrastructure in the U.K., Canada, and Japan, VBM delivers a secure and responsible supply of high-quality products to customers across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.
Global demand for critical minerals is growing exponentially. From energy to aerospace, batteries to magnets, robotics to artificial intelligence, a secure and responsible supply of critical minerals is fundamental to power modern technologies. And at Vale Base Metals, we are transforming our business to provide a secure and responsible supply of these minerals.
Join our diverse team of 13,000 talented individuals committed to providing mineral security to a world in transition. We invite you to put your skills to work, driving meaningful and enduring change while enjoying a rewarding career.
The Opportunity
We are currently seeking a Superintendent, Projects and Engineering to join our Refinery team in Port Colborne, Ontario.
This is a permanent on-site position, working Monday to Friday. This posting is for an existing position vacancy.
The Superintendent, Projects and Engineering supports the execution of projects and will ensure best practices are being implemented and used and that the highest level of service support is being provided from the project management team and the various site-based contractors. The position will also support the Plant’s Engineering Process, managing external consultants and the internal team of engineers and designers, interacting with Asset Reliability and Maintenance Teams. They will also assist the SHE teams to ensure that effective safety and environmental procedures are being followed and that routine or urgent requirements are responded to within a timely manner. The incumbent will support and assist the project by facilitating the day-to-day linkage with the ongoing operations, construction contractors at the Vale site and the project management team. This position will be responsible for supporting the Vale project management and construction team in planning, coordination, and execution of work on time, within budget and ensuring quality requirements are met. The Superintendent, Projects will be required to collaborate with project management, contractors, and SHE teams to maintain compliance with safety, quality, and environmental standards.
Additionally, in this position you will:
- Construction Oversight & Coordination: Lead and monitor all construction activities to ensure safety, schedule adherence, and budget compliance. Act as the main contact for construction issues, coordinate teams, review schedules, and manage change orders and invoicing.
- Engineering Oversight & Coordination: Lead and monitor all engineering activities to ensure compliance with coding, Vale Procedures, safety, schedule adherence, and budget compliance. Act as the main contact for engineering issues, coordinate external consulting teams and in-house engineers and designers, review deliverables, and manage change orders and invoicing.
- Safety, Health & Environmental Compliance: Enforce Vale’s SHE standards through audits, inspections, and corrective actions. Lead safety documentation reviews, ensure contractor training compliance, and manage emergency response and environmental protocols.
- Construction Planning & Execution: Develop and manage execution plans, work schedules, and scopes of work. Conduct constructability reviews, support risk control initiatives, and oversee contractor work areas and materials.
- Contract & Logistics Management: Support contractor selection and kick-off processes. Manage logistics including material delivery, storage, and traffic plans. Ensure compliance with procurement and site access protocols.
- Reporting & Communication: Prepare daily and weekly reports, facilitate stakeholder communication, and participate in on-call rotations to provide continuous leadership coverage.
- Quality Assurance & Control: Oversee contractor QC programs, review inspection/test documentation, resolve quality issues, and ensure compliance with contractual and regulatory standards.
- Progress & Scope Management: Monitor schedules and productivity, validate contractor billings, manage scope changes, track KPIs, and ensure alignment between field conditions and project plans.
- Collaboration & Meetings: Lead and participate in daily coordination meetings with contractors, operations, and cross-functional teams. Support commissioning activities and ensure smooth transitions.
- Incident Management & Safety Follow-Up: Lead and support incident investigations, develop corrective action plans, and track follow-ups using CRM/SAP to improve site safety and reduce recurrence.
- Commissioning, Handover & Documentation: Coordinate commissioning and punch list activities, ensure proper documentation and asset management, and contribute to lessons learned for future project improvements.
What We Offer You
- Competitive compensation including a variable annual incentive plan
- Participation in a competitive Defined Contribution Pension package
- Comprehensive benefits package (company paid core coverage, health and dental coverage, flex accounts, disability plans and optional insurances)
- Leave for all of life’s reasons (vacation, flex, sick, parental)
- Work culture dedicated to safety, diversity & inclusion, and career growth
- Employee Family Assistance Program
- Virtual Healthcare online
- Online training and career development opportunities
About You
Education:
- Community college graduate with an Engineering Technologist or qualified trade diploma required
- Undergraduate degree in Engineering preferred.
- P.Eng would be an asset.
- Certified Associate of Project Management (CAPM) or Project Management Professional (PMP) is an asset.
Experience:
- Minimum 8-10 years of relevant experience.
Skills:
- Proven record of leadership and successful coordination of projects (ideally 5 years of mining, industrial or infra-structure projects experience).
- Knowledge and proficiency of project tracking and scheduling software.
- Must possess planning and problem-solving skills and be able to set clear, measurable goals.
- Excellent time management without sacrificing quality. Ability to be organized, efficient and able to prioritize.
- Ability to negotiate well and handle any issues with diplomacy and tact.
- Possess a good eye for detail and ability to analyze data.
- High level of oral and written communication skills.
- Knowledge and proficiency in SAP are an asset.
Why Port Colborne
Located on the beautiful north shore of Lake Erie, Port Colborne is an important industrial hub known for its maritime heritage. Our refinery processes nickel, copper, cobalt, and precious metals and the facility is crucial for refining these metals to high purity levels. Our operations support the local economy and reinforces Canada's position as a key supplier of the critical minerals transforming the future. The refinery's commitment to environmental sustainability and technological innovation underscores Vale Base Metals' dedication to responsible mining and refining practices.
Include to Transform
At Vale Base Metals, we are committed to ensuring an inclusive work environment where people can act like owners, being their authentic selves and empowering them to deliver results. Vale Base Metals encourages everyone to express their ideas and opinions and values the plurality of individual profiles. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome – they are critical to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, or any other personal consideration that makes us different.
Vale is an equal opportunity employer seeking to increase diversity across our operations and improve equal opportunity at Vale and in the mining industry.
In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, accommodation is available throughout our recruitment process for applicants with disabilities.
Vale uses artificial intelligence to screen, assess, and/or select applicants for this position.
Pay Grade: 15V
Minimum Starting Salary: $110.400.00
Apply by: August 14, 2026
#ValeBaseMetals
Interested applicants must submit their application online at https://vale.eightfold.ai/careers
