Interface Manager – PMC

Role Summary

The Interface Manager is one of the most critical positions on a brownfield RKEF smelter expansion project. Acting as the central coordination point between the PMC, Owner, EPC Contractor, Operations, Commissioning, Supply Chain, and Regulatory stakeholders, the role ensures that the numerous organizational, technical, physical, and operational interfaces required to integrate a second production train into a live smelting facility are identified, managed, and successfully executed without compromising safety, schedule, cost, or ongoing production. In many respects, the Interface Manager becomes the integrator of the project , ensuring that no gap exists between what one party delivers and what the next party requires.

Role Purpose

The Interface Manager is responsible for identifying, managing, coordinating, and resolving all project interfaces associated with the expansion of an operating Nickel Smelter through the addition of a second Rotary Kiln Electric Furnace (RKEF) production train.

As part of the PMC organization, the Interface Manager provides independent oversight and coordination between the Owner, EPC Contractor(s), Operations Team, suppliers, regulators, utility providers, and commissioning teams, ensuring that interface risks are proactively identified and managed throughout project execution.

The role is critical in a brownfield environment where the new production train must be integrated into an operating facility while maintaining safe and uninterrupted production from the existing Train 1.

The Interface Manager serves as the custodian of the project Interface Management System and is responsible for ensuring decisions, responsibilities, actions, and handoffs between organizations are clearly defined, tracked, and closed in a timely manner.

The Interface Manager is accountable for

Development and maintenance of the Project Interface Management Plan.

Establishment and management of the Interface Register.

Identification and mitigation of interface risks.

Coordination between the Owner, Operations, EPC Contractor(s), and PMC.

Management of brownfield and operational interfaces.

Coordination of shutdown and tie-in activities.

Resolution of interface-related issues and conflicts.

Support of commissioning and handover activities.

Protection of project schedule through effective interface management.

Ensuring accountability for interface deliverables.

Identify and manage interfaces relating to

Organizational Interfaces

Owner and PMC

PMC and EPC Contractor(s)

EPC Contractor and Operations

EPC Contractor and Vendors

EPC Contractor and Regulatory Authorities

PMC and Commissioning Teams

Technical Interfaces

Process systems

Utilities

Infrastructure

Power systems

Control systems

Mechanical systems

Physical Interfaces

Existing facilities

New Train 2 facilities

Utilities corridors

Roads and access areas

Laydown areas

Port facilities

Monitor interface status through to closure.

1. Brownfield Interface Management

This is a critical responsibility of the role.

Lead management of all interfaces between

1. Existing operating facilities
2. Construction activities
3. Commissioning activities
4. Future operations

Particular focus areas include

Production continuity

Operational access

Utility availability

Process integration

Shutdown execution

SIMOPS activities

1. Operations Interface Management

Act as the key PMC focal point between the project team and operating plant.

Key stakeholders include

Plant Manager

Operations Superintendent

Maintenance Superintendent

Reliability Teams

Utilities Teams

1. Utility and Infrastructure Interface Management

Coordinate interfaces associated with

Electrical Systems

High-voltage distribution

Substations

Transformer integration

Energization activities

Water Systems

Raw water

Cooling water

Process water

Fire water systems

Utility Systems

Compressed air

Fuel systems

Communications systems

Process gases

Infrastructure

Roads

Drainage

Port facilities

Warehousing

Power generation facilities

Ensure responsibilities and integration requirements are clearly defined.

1. Shutdown and Tie-In Coordination

A major responsibility of the role.

Coordinate all project interfaces related to planned shutdowns and tie-ins.

Typical tie-ins include

Power distribution systems

Water systems

Instrumentation systems

Communications systems

Material handling systems

Process systems

Ensure shutdown windows are achieved without unnecessary impact on Train 1 production.

1. Engineering Interface Management

Coordinate engineering interfaces between

1. EPC contractor disciplines
2. Technology licensors
3. Vendors
4. Existing plant systems
5. Owner technical teams

Special attention shall be given to

Furnace integration

Kiln integration

Utility systems integration

Control systems integration

Power system integration

1. Supply Chain and Logistics Interfaces

Work closely with the Supply Chain Manager to manage:

Supplier interfaces

Vendor support requirements

Equipment delivery sequencing

Site logistics interfaces

Heavy-lift interfaces

Laydown area constraints

Particular attention should be paid to

Chinese equipment suppliers

Long-lead equipment packages

Heavy transport routes

Port-to-site logistics

1. Construction and Commissioning Interfaces

Coordinate handover interfaces between

1. Construction
2. EPC Construction Teams
3. PMC Construction Teams
4. Operations Teams
5. Commissioning
6. Construction Completion Teams
7. Commissioning Teams
8. Operations Teams

Activities include

Construction adjacent to live facilities.

Energization activities.

Utility outages.

Shutdown works.

Heavy lifting activities.

Commissioning within operating areas.

Ensure interface risks are identified, assessed, and mitigated.

1. Interface Risk Management

Develop and maintain the Interface Risk Register.

Typical risks include

Operational Risks

Production interruptions.

Utility outages.

Access restrictions.

Technical Risks

Design integration failures.

Incomplete tie-in design.

Vendor interface issues.

Schedule Risks

Missed shutdown windows.

Delayed tie-ins.

Interface-driven delays.

Organizational Risks

Unclear responsibilities.

Communication failures.

Escalation delays.

Monitor mitigation actions and escalate emerging risks.

1. Reporting and Governance

Produce regular interface management reports including

Weekly Reports

Open interface actions.

Critical interface issues.

Shutdown preparation status.

Escalated matters.

Monthly Reports

Interface performance metrics.

Risk status.

Action closure trends.

Brownfield readiness status.

Shutdown readiness status.

Chair

Interface Coordination Meetings.

Brownfield Interface Reviews.

Shutdown Readiness Reviews.

Operational Interface Meetings.

1. RKEF-Specific Interface Focus Areas
2. The Interface Manager should understand the integration requirements associated with:
3. Process Facilities
4. Rotary Kilns
5. Electric Furnaces
6. Electrode Systems
7. Furnace Transformers
8. Ore Drying Systems
9. Coal Handling Systems
10. Slag Handling Systems
11. Ferronickel/NPI Handling Systems
12. Utilities
13. Power generation
14. HV substations
15. Water systems
16. Fuel systems
17. Compressed air systems
18. Control systems
19. Existing Plant Integration
20. Shared utilities
21. Shared infrastructure
22. Existing operations
23. Maintenance access
24. Emergency response systems
25. Environmental systems

Responsibilities

1. Interface Management Leadership

• Develop and implement the project Interface Management Strategy.
• Establish interface management procedures, workflows, and reporting systems.
• Lead the PMC Interface Management function.
• Promote interface management as a proactive project discipline.
• Ensure interface ownership and accountability are clearly defined.
• Develop interface governance and escalation processes.
• Facilitate timely resolution of interface issues.

1. Interface Identification and Control

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive Interface Register covering all project phases.
• Responsibilities include
• Identification of all brownfield interfaces.
• Development of interface control plans.
• Facilitation of interface workshops.
• Coordination with Operations personnel.
• Monitoring interface action closure.
• Ensuring operational requirements are incorporated into project planning.

Responsibilities include

• Coordinate project activities impacting operations.
• Facilitate regular interface meetings with Operations.
• Maintain interface action registers.
• Coordinate plant access requirements.
• Manage operational constraints.
• Support readiness planning.
• Ensure operational concerns are addressed.

Responsibilities include

• Develop interface requirements for shutdown activities.
• Coordinate tie-in planning across all stakeholders.
• Facilitate shutdown readiness reviews.
• Track shutdown preparation activities.
• Ensure scope responsibilities are clearly assigned.
• Escalate unresolved interface constraints.
• Responsibilities include
• Monitor technical interface resolution.
• Coordinate interface workshops.
• Review design interface matrices.
• Identify design integration risks.
• Ensure engineering decisions are documented and communicated.
• Support
• System handovers
• Mechanical completion
• Punch list management

Start-up readiness

Ensure interface issues do not delay commissioning.

1. SIMOPS Management Support

Work closely with Construction and HSE teams to manage interfaces associated with simultaneous operations.

Requirements

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or related discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

• PMP Certification
• APM or equivalent
• Interface Management Training
• Systems Engineering Qualification
• Major Projects Leadership Training

Essential

• Minimum 15 years of experience on major industrial projects.
• Minimum 8 years in senior interface, project engineering, construction management, project integration, or operational readiness roles.
• Demonstrated brownfield project experience.
• Experience in large industrial processing facilities.

Preferred

• Nickel, copper, ferroalloy, steel, mining, LNG, power, refinery, or petrochemical projects.
• RKEF nickel smelting projects.
• PMC, Owner's Engineer, or EPCM environments.
• Indonesian project experience.
• Experience working with Chinese EPC contractors and suppliers.
• Experience managing operational interfaces within live facilities.
• Technical Competencies
• Interface Management
• Interface registers
• Interface matrices
• Stakeholder management
• Organizational coordination
• Risk management
• Project Execution
• Brownfield project delivery
• Shutdown planning
• SIMOPS management
• Operational readiness
• Commissioning interfaces
• Systems
• Primavera P6
• Interface Management Systems
• SharePoint
• Power BI
• Document Management Systems
• Leadership Competencies
• Strong communication skills
• Negotiation and influencing
• Conflict resolution
• Stakeholder management
• Facilitation skills
• Organizational awareness
• Cultural sensitivity
• Decision-making and escalation management
• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• Interface Management
• Interface Register maintained and current.
• Interface actions closed within agreed timeframes.
• No major interface-related delays.

Brownfield Execution

• Successful coordination of Train 1 and Train 2 activities.
• Effective management of SIMOPS.
• Minimal disruption to ongoing production.

Shutdown and Tie-Ins

• Shutdown activities completed within approved windows.
• Tie-ins executed safely and successfully.
• No critical interface failures during execution.
• Schedule Support
• Interface risks identified early.
• Critical interfaces resolved before impacting milestones.
• No avoidable delays caused by unresolved interfaces.

Stakeholder Satisfaction

• Positive feedback from Operations, Owner, PMC, and EPC teams.
• Effective cross-functional coordination.
• Timely escalation and resolution of issues.

Benefits

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About the Company

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