Specialist Process Improvement – Digital Business Systems

Job description

At First Quantum, we free the talent of our people by taking a very different approach which is underpinned by a very different, very definite culture – the “First Quantum Way”.

Working with us is not like working anywhere else, which is why we recruit people who will take a bolder, smarter approach to spot opportunities, solve problems and deliver results.

Our culture is all about encouraging you to think independently and to challenge convention to deliver the best result. That’s how we continue to achieve extraordinary things in extraordinary locations.

Job description:

Job title: Digital Business Systems Improvement Specialist

Site: Kansanshi Mining Plc.

Department: Commercial

Section: Contracts

Position reports to: Manager, Commercial

Grade: 17

Direct reports: None

Works Collaboratively with: IT, Inventory, Group Engineering, & Planners

PURPOSE

Key contributor to the Commercial Department, leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data-driven insights to identify opportunities to digitise processes, improve operational efficiency, drive cost savings, and optimise commercial performance. This role focuses on the development of digital tools, AI bots, and business improvement initiatives to enhance commercial governance, data quality, and decision-making across KMP and FQM.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Build and implement digital tools, including AI bots, reports, and data models, to support Contractor Management and improve Commercial team’s operational performance.

• Develop AI Copilot-enabled solutions to improve the quality of commercial agreements by ensuring they are accurate, complete, consistent, legally sound, regulatory compliant, risk-minimised, and cost-efficient.

• Develop AI Copilot-enabled solutions to assist end-users drafting of scopes that align with company contractual requirements.

• Design and standardise commercial processes and data structures to strengthen governance, improve consistency, and enhance the integrity of commercial outputs across the business.

• Develop, implement, and maintain standardised labour and materials price books across departments and sites to improve pricing consistency, transparency, cost control, and commercial governance.

• Build and maintain dashboards and reporting tools to provide real-time visibility on commercial activities (sourcing, contracting, logistics, supplier performance, inventory) across departments.

• Identify, analyse, and quantify trends, patterns, and business improvement opportunities using company datasets to drive efficiency and performance improvements.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define information/data requirements, align on improvement initiatives, and ensure successful implementation of digital and commercial solutions.

Lead and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, focusing on process optimisation, information/data accuracy, cost reduction, risk mitigation, and enhanced compliance.

• Ensure high standards of information/data quality, consistency, and governance across all commercial systems, tools, and reporting outputs.

• Act as a subject matter expert in information/data quality governance, analytics, and digital solutions, supporting cross-functional projects and system implementations.

• Develop and maintain technical and operational documentation for digital tools, AI solutions, and commercial processes.

• Work closely with KMP and FQM IT teams to ensure successful delivery of commercial IT initiatives aligned to business requirements.

VALUE ADDED DELIVERABLE

• AI-powered Copilot solutions embedded into commercial workflows, improving contract quality, compliance, and risk management.

• Standardised and governed commercial agreement processes across departments and sites.

• Centralised and controlled price books for labour and materials enabling consistent pricing and improved cost management.

• Enhanced visibility and reporting of commercial performance through dashboards and analytics tools.

• Improved commercial decision-making driven by high-quality, structured, and governed data.

QUALIFICATIONS

All academic qualifications and results must be verified by the Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA).

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Business Analytics or a related field

• Masters degree is an added advantage.

• Certifications in data analytics, business intelligence, or process improvement (desirable but not required).

EXPERIENCE

• 5+ years of experience in software development, AI implementation, data analytics, commercial analysis, or business improvement roles.

• Proficiency Programming: in data analysis tools and languages (SQL, Python, VBA, JavaScript, C++, Java).

• Cloud & Infrastructure: AWS, Google Cloud, Linux, PostgreSQL.

• Strong understanding of statistical concepts and analytical methodologies

• Demonstrated experience working cross-functionally with business and technical teams.

BEHAVIOURAL TRAITS

• Effective communication

• Ability to influence managers and employees

• Ability to demonstrate leadership

• Critical thinking

• Conflict management

• Problem-solving skills with a process improvement mindset

• Ability to work in pressured and deadline-driven operating environment

• Detail-orientated with the technical aptitude and ability to perform tasks accurately and comprehensively

• Expert in multi-tasking, time management and planning of work

• Excellent presentation skills

• Must be able to learn quickly and work in a fast-paced environment with the ability to manage multiple competing tasks/demands