Refractory Works Supervisor – Mexico

Role Overview

Responsible for the direct supervision and execution of refractory installation works in large-scale industrial projects (ammonia methanol petrochemical).

This is a hands-on field supervision role focused on daily crew management installation quality and safety compliance.

Key Responsibilities

Site Supervision

• Supervise daily refractory activities on site
• Ensure work follows:
  • approved procedures
  • safety requirements
  • quality standards
• Monitor productivity and resolve issues in real time
• Manage material handling including temperature-sensitive materials

Planning & Control

• Plan daily and weekly activities
• Maintain a 4-week lookahead schedule
• Ensure availability of:
  • materials
  • equipment
  • workforce
• Monitor installation productivity and take corrective actions
• Provide input on progress manpower and costs

Team & Subcontractor Management

• Assign daily tasks to crews
• Lead pre-job briefings (safety quality focus)
• Supervise subcontractors at the work front
• Act as main point of contact for field teams

Quality & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with API standards ()
• Monitor:
  • installation quality
  • inspections and tests
  • documentation and as-built data
• Control curing and dry-out processes
• Ensure correct placement of monitoring equipment

Interfaces & Reporting

• Coordinate with other disciplines (mechanical welding scaffolding)
• Report daily to the Refractory Installation Manager
• Support daily reporting and anticipate site issues

HSE (Safety)

• Enforce strict safety practices on site
• Conduct HSE inspections and intervene when needed
• Ensure proper PPE usage
• Verify lifting operations compliance

Requirements

Education

• Technical diploma or degree in Mechanical Civil Engineering or related
• Extensive field experience may substitute formal education

Experience

• Minimum 5 years in refractory works
• At least 2 years in a supervisory role
• Strong experience with:
  • furnaces
  • reformers
  • reactors

Technical Skills

• Expertise in:
  • castables
  • gunning materials
  • firebrick installation
• Ability to read refractory drawings and expansion joints
• Strong knowledge of API 936 and related standards

Languages

• English (mandatory)
• Spanish (highly beneficial)
• Other languages are a plus

Soft Skills

• Strong field leadership
• Clear communication with crews
• Problem-solving under pressure
• Ability to manage diverse teams

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work on-site in demanding conditions
• Comfortable with:
  • scaffolding
  • confined spaces (furnaces vessels)

What They Offer

• International project exposure
• Multicultural environment
• Continuous training
• Competitive salary & benefits

Quick Take

• Strongly field-oriented hands-on role
• Focused on supervision rather than management
• Ideal for specialists in refractory installation
• High technical depth but limited strategic scope