PLANT MANAGER – PROCESSING PLANT This Job Description defines the role, accountabilities, and requirements for the Plant Manager position for the processing plant. The role is critical to the safe commissioning, ramp-up, and long-term operational success of the plant's assets. ROLE PURPOSE The Plant Manager is accountable for the end-to-end leadership, safety, and performance of the processing plant from commissioning through ramp-up and into steady-state operations. The role requires a senior operational leader capable of building a plant, stabilising performance, embedding discipline, and developing a sustainable operating culture while meeting production, safety, cost, and compliance objectives. The Plant Manager acts as the single point of operational accountability for the plant. PHASE CONTEXT This project represents a high-risk and high-value stage in the asset lifecycle, characterised by commissioning and early-life operational instability, ramp-up under throughput and recovery pressure, SIMOPS involving EPC contractors and OEMs, and progressive localisation of skills and capability. KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES Safety, Health & Environment Full accountability for plant safety performance and statutory compliance Visible leadership of safety culture and critical risk management Oversight of safe commissioning, shutdowns, and Simultaneous Operations activities Enforcement of permit-to-work, isolation, and contractor safety systems Leadership of serious incident response and learning Operations & Production Delivery of production targets aligned with Phase 2 operating plans Stabilisation of plant throughput, recovery, and quality post-commissioning Ownership of daily, weekly, and monthly performance management Maintenance & Reliability Oversight of mechanical, electrical, and C&I maintenance functions Protection of critical assets during early-life operations Transition from reactive to planned and condition-based maintenance Process & Metallurgy Oversight of metallurgical performance and process stability Decision-making on throughput versus recovery trade-offs Governance of process changes and optimisation initiatives Cost & Commercial Management Ownership of site operating costs and cost-per-tonne metrics Control of contractor spending during commissioning and ramp-up Contribution to budgeting and cost optimisation initiatives People, Capability & Culture Building and leading a high-performing plant leadership team Development of national talent and succession pipelines Implementation of structured training and competency frameworks Constructive engagement with unions and local communities Stakeholder & Governance Interface with corporate, project, and technical stakeholders Clear communication of plant performance, risks, and priorities REPORTING STRUCTURE Direct reports typically include Production, Maintenance, Process, HSE, Supply Chain, and HR Leads. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE Engineering or relevant technical degree (Mechanical, Process, Electrical or Chemical/Metallurgical preferred) Statutory appointment eligibility under applicable mining legislation Minimum 10–15 years' experience in minerals processing or heavy industrial operations Proven Plant Manager or equivalent senior operational leadership experience Demonstrated commissioning and ramp-up leadership experience TECHNICAL & LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES Strong operational and technical literacy High personal safety standards Data-driven decision-making capability Calm, structured leadership under pressure Strong people leadership and culture-building capability SUCCESS MEASURES Safe and compliant commissioning and ramp-up Achievement of stable throughput and recovery targets Controlled operating costs and asset protection Embedded operating discipline and leadership depth #J-18808-Ljbffr