"One of the many benefits of working at Aurubis Olen: the work-life balance here is great!"

• Tell us, Bjorn. How did your career at Aurubis Olen begin? 
  I started in January 2010 as an Operator in Electrolysis. After a few years, I had the opportunity to grow into the role of Assistant Shift Supervisor and later into DCS (Distributed Control System). In that role, I oversaw process control and ensured smooth production. Since October 2023, I have been a Supervisor at BOB, a new and exciting challenge! When BOB was still under construction, I trained the BOB operators to work smoothly and safely.

• Can you tell us more about BOB? 
  BOB stands for Bleed treatment Olen Beerse. It is a hydrometallurgical process where we recover valuable metals such as nickel and copper from electrolyte streams generated during metal production at our sites in Beerse and Olen.

• What attracted you to the new recycling facility? 
  I wanted something new, an exciting new challenge! The knowledge I gained in Electrolysis is very useful at BOB, as the working environment is similar. This is very helpful in a leadership role: I can better support the team, think about improvements, and solve problems. Moreover, it is very interesting to help build a completely new environment. Everyone contributes to an efficient operation and a strong team dynamic from day one.

• How would you describe the BOB team? 
  Accessible and down-to-earth. We form a close-knit team together. Our door is always open, both literally and figuratively. I find it important to convey my enthusiasm so that everyone enjoys working here. Since I started as an operator myself, I understand the challenges on the work floor well and can easily switch with colleagues. We have a diverse group: some come from a job in our Electrolysis department like me, others come from the construction or chemical sector. This creates a nice mix!

• What are your responsibilities as a BOB Supervisor? 
  As a BOB Supervisor, I am responsible for process monitoring, directing, and scheduling colleagues and operators. Currently, we are still in the start-up phase, which also involves additional tasks such as ordering stickers and labels for machines, cabinets, and pipes, following up on execution procedures, and maintaining contact with contractors. Additionally, I oversee the entire process and look for possible optimizations. After the so-called "cold commissioning," there was the "hot commissioning." I am proud to be involved in these phases of this new department, as it is a unique period for Aurubis Olen.

• How important is safety to you? 
  Safety is our top priority. We want BOB to be a good example for the rest of the company. Therefore, we report as many near-misses as possible, even if it is something small. The more we report, the safer the (work) environment becomes!

• What do you do in your free time? 
  Most of my free time goes to my six-year-old son. He has many hobbies, and dad always has to drive him around (laughs). Family comes first for me. We also try to travel a lot as a family. Soon we are going to America. By the way, one of the many benefits of working at Aurubis Olen is the great work-life balance!

Will you be Bjorn's new colleague soon?

• Apply quickly and easily online.
• We would be happy to welcome you for an introductory interview. See you soon?