Maintenance & Asset Integrity Independent Consultant (Freelance)

Allow us to introduce ourselves

dss+ is a leading provider of operations management consulting services to save lives and create a sustainable future. dss+ enables companies to build organisational and human capabilities, manage risk, improve operations, achieve sustainability goals and operate more responsibly. By leveraging its DuPont heritage, deep industry and management expertise and diverse team, dss+ consultants are on the ground and in the boardroom helping clients work safer, smarter and with purpose. dss+ is an independent firm with a footprint in over 30 countries. dss+ has been recognised as the top brand in EHS consulting by independent research company Verdantix for 5 years running.

We are a diverse team of consultants who have hands-on experience working in and leading complex operations across many industries. Our seasoned experts include operations executives, technical and project managers, experienced line managers, qualified coaches and digital natives who have a problem-solving mindset and a passion for what they do. Combining industry best practices, the latest thinking in operations management and proven methodologies developed within dss+.  Our people optimise outcomes across a wide range of industries, including Oil & Gas, Chemicals, Petrochemicals, Mining & Metals, Power & Utilities, including Renewables.

We pride ourselves in combining industry experts and on-the-ground experience with strong people-centric change management capabilities. This creates the perfect blend to support our clients from intent to impact, enabling them to protect what they care for, transform their organisation, and sustain the changes required to make their vision a reality, in a practical, actionable way. 

As a Freelance Subject Matter Expert / Senior Operations Consultant with expertise in Asset Integrity Management, Quality Assurance, Maintenance and Reliability, you will lead specific workstreams within a wider transformation program, aiming at identifying, designing, and implementing effective solutions within the area of expertise. You will provide subject matter expertise and lead project teams to help clients establish and implement robust Asset Integrity Management programs and, in particular, build organisational capabilities to sustain performance.

The ideal candidate must have strong subject matter expertise in mechanical reliability across a wide range of equipment classes, and proven experience in the integrity management of the industrial plant, especially as it relates to process safety management and optimisation of safety and reliability performance.

This demands a combination of engineering acumen to deal with reliability and maintenance strategy and tactics across the full spectrum of equipment classes (static, rotating, instrumentation and controls, electrical, etc.) as well as the leadership and organizational aspects of asset integrity that deals with effective management, controls, and optimization of the delivery of an integrated program in a complex organization.

More specifically, you would be:

• Driving the execution of consulting engagements in integrated Asset Integrity Management as part of a wider engagement. Specific engagements and areas covered include:

• Structuring, sequencing, and leading client engagements with direct areas of responsibility, including assessment and improvement of asset integrity management practices across the following scopes:

• All sub-elements of asset integrity management e.g., quality assurance, maintenance and reliability strategy and tactics, inspection & test, repair, work management, codes and standards, competence management, reliability engineering, root cause analysis, etc.

• All equipment classes e.g. static equipment, rotating equipment, safety instrumented functions, pipelines, electrical, etc.

• All interfaces with other process safety management elements e.g., process hazard analysis, management of change, pre-start up safety reviews, incident investigation, etc.

• Oversee and perform checks and analyses to develop improved asset reliability at the client sites

• Leading client teams along the different stages of the project (e.g., gap analysis, detailed planning, review and enhancement of Asset Integrity Management program and methodologies, building capabilities within the client’s organisation through classroom training and coaching, etc.

• Support clients in developing appropriate Work Management practices to enhance the performance of Maintenance and Reliability programs

• Identification and implementation of risk reduction initiatives and improvement projects

• Creation and updating of technical data, information and documentation for the task area

• On-site advisory related to health-monitoring systems and analysis

• Effectively communicating progress and outcome to different client’s stakeholders.

• Proactively identifying issues and risks in relation to the specific delivery activities and liaise with the wider project team to evaluating potential solutions and pursuing the optimal course of actions to minimise adverse impact and maximise project success.

• Providing expertise as part of proposal development and support other team members (e.g. Senior Manager / Principal / Director) in meetings and presentations with clients.

• Playing an active role in building the firm by:

• Participating and contributing to functional and/or industry networks to develop and share best practices.

• Providing feedback and coaching junior colleagues to support their development within the organisation.

Who are you?

To be successful in this position, you would bring the following qualifications:

• Engineering degree (mechanical preferred).

• A master’s degree would be an advantage.

• Eligibility for professional engineering registration is required; current registration is preferred.

• Knowledgeable on Recognised and Generally Accepted Good Engineering Practices (RAGAGEP), i.e. ASME, API, NACE, etc.

• At least 15 years of working experience, including leadership positions in asset integrity/maintenance and reliability positions on operating industrial plants, preferably in highly hazardous/heavy manufacturing industries such as oil & gas, petrochemical, chemical, or metal processing.

• Experience in developing procedures to define key system requirements as well as audit protocols, KPIs, and governance mechanisms to monitor the effectiveness of the implementation of Asset Integrity Management across all sub-elements.

• Exceptional interpersonal skills and a team-working attitude to be able to work in multi-cultural and multidisciplinary teams.

• Problem-solving and flexibility to analyse and adapt to situations

• Effective leadership skills to drive execution in complex environments.

• Strong/effective verbal and written communication to be able to interact at different levels of the organisation, from executives down to front-line technicians and operators.

• Fluency in both written and spoken English and German.

Diversity and Inclusion

DSS is committed to a diverse workforce and believes this is essential to strengthen our company and drive sustainable growth. We are committed and driving accountability for growing DSS through diversity.  Diversity is an indispensable part of our organization's culture. The goal of our commitment to inclusion, dignity, and equal opportunity has not only become a competitive advantage for us but has attracted highly capable and talented employees to DSS.

dss+ Core Values

dss+ works with clients to save lives and create a sustainable future. To do so effectively, we live our core values that underpin our thinking, our goals and our actions, every step of the way. Coupled with our passion and expertise, the dss+ core values ensure we forge a path to success for our employees, stakeholders and clients — one that we can all be proud of. What ideals do we prioritise? These are the four compass points that guide our actions.

Safety and health

We share a personal and professional commitment to protecting the safety and health of our employees, contractors, customers and the people of the communities in which we operate.

Environmental stewardship

We find science-enabled solutions for our customers, always managing our businesses to protect and preserve the environment, both for today and for the future.

Respect for people

We treat our employees and all our partners with professionalism, dignity and respect, fostering an environment where people can contribute, innovate and excel.

Highest ethical behaviour

We conduct ourselves and our business affairs in accordance with the highest ethical standards, striving always to be a respected corporate citizen worldwide.

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