Sr Specialist - Project Estimating & Cost Control at Vale

Job description

Who We Are We are a global mining company dedicated to safely delivering nickel, copper, cobalt, and platinum group metals essential for the world’s energy transition. Our mission is to improve lives and shape a better future together. From utensils to cellphones to satellites, our operations simplify daily life and enhance connectivity. Our metals are integral to life-saving medical equipment and the electric vehicles driving the fight against climate change – our work truly matters. Join our diverse team of 15,000 talented individuals committed to transforming critical minerals into prosperity and sustainable development in countries like Canada, Brazil, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, and Japan. We invite you to use your skills with us and contribute to something meaningful and enduring. The Opportunity We are seeking a Sr Specialist – Project Estimating & Cost Control to join our VBM / CTO / Studies / Project Controls team in Toronto, Ontario . This is a permanent position reporting to the Sr. Manager, Project Controls - Canada and supporting Vale Base Metals' Canadian studies portfolio. The role serves as the technical leader for the estimating and cost control discipline in Canada and is accountable for the methodologies, standards, governance, quality, and consistency of capital and operating cost estimates, cost baselines, forecasts, and performance reporting across studies ranging from Preliminary Economic Assessments (PEA) through Pre-Feasibility Studies (PFS) and Feasibility Studies (FS). The successful candidate will ensure the integration of estimating, cost control, planning, risk management, and performance management disciplines, enabling informed investment decisions and supporting the successful delivery of Vale's capital portfolio. About You You are a highly experienced cost engineering and project controls professional with a strong background in capital project estimating, cost control, forecasting, and governance. You possess deep technical expertise in developing and validating project estimates while ensuring alignment with industry-leading standards and best practices. You thrive in complex project environments where cost, schedule, risk, and performance must work together as an integrated system. Your ability to challenge assumptions, influence stakeholders, and provide objective analysis enables project teams and leadership to make confident investment and execution decisions. You are recognized for your technical credibility, analytical rigor, and commitment to continuous improvement. In this role, you will: Technical Leadership Serve as the technical leader and subject matter expert for estimating and cost control across Vale Base Metals' Canadian studies portfolio. Develop, maintain, and continuously improve estimating and cost control methodologies, procedures, templates, and governance requirements. Define and implement disciplined estimating and cost management practices aligned with Vale standards, AACE recommended practices, and project governance requirements. Provide technical leadership and guidance to project teams, engineering partners, EPCM contractors, and project controls practitioners. Estimating for Studies (PEA, PFS and FS) Lead the preparation, review, validation, and reconciliation of capital and operating cost estimates throughout all study phases, including PEA, PFS, and FS. Ensure estimates achieve the required AACE estimate classification and meet project and governance requirements at each stage gate. Define estimate execution plans, including methodology, work breakdown structure, cost breakdown structure, basis of estimate development, estimate deliverables, and review processes. Review and challenge estimate assumptions, quantities, labour productivity factors, indirect costs, owner costs, contingency, escalation, exchange rates, and execution strategies. Conduct benchmark reviews, independent estimate validations, reconciliations, and variance analyses between study phase