Operations Manager (Ao8)

uWorkin; Townsville City; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation support for interstate candidates

38-hour work week (Monday–Friday)

Potential for long-term project

Job summary

uWorkin is seeking an experienced Operations Manager (Owner’s Representative) for a new minerals processing facility in Townsville City. This critical role involves establishing operational governance and overseeing third-party operations as the project transitions to commissioning.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in mineral processing alongside experience in high-risk environments. This position offers a unique opportunity to shape the facility from the outset while enjoying autonomy and leadership responsibility.

Qualifications

• Background in mineral processing, mining, or industrial processing environments.
• Experience in commissioning, start-up, or early operations.
• Strong understanding of operational governance, MOC, and asset management.

Responsibilities

• Oversee operator performance as the Owner's Representative.
• Establish governance and assurance frameworks.
• Support commissioning and early operations readiness.
• Drive performance through KPIs.
• Oversee safety systems and critical controls.
• Manage operational change and asset integrity.
• Build relationships with contractors, suppliers, and stakeholders.

Skills

Mineral processing background

Experience in commissioning

Operational governance understanding

Safety focus

Stakeholder engagement skills

Job description

Our client is delivering a first-of-its-kind minerals processing facility in North Queensland, supporting the advancement and commercialisation of critical minerals.

As the project transitions from construction into commissioning, they are seeking an experienced Operations Manager (Owner’s Representative) to play a key role in establishing operational governance and driving performance from day one.

About the Role

This is a site-based position in Townsville, working at the centre of a brand-new processing facility as it moves toward commissioning (starting July).

Acting as the Owner’s Representative, you will oversee the third‑party operator, ensuring safe, reliable, and repeatable operations while building the operational framework from the ground up.

This is a highly autonomous role in a greenfield/start‑up environment, where the initial focus will be understanding the plant, its systems, and building strong stakeholder and supplier relationships ahead of full operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Represent the asset owner on-site, overseeing operator performance
• Establish governance, assurance frameworks, and reporting structures
• Support commissioning and early operations readiness
• Drive performance through KPIs and structured operational routines
• Oversee safety systems and critical controls
• Manage operational change (MOC) and asset integrity
• Build and manage relationships with contractors, suppliers, and stakeholders
• Support commercial activities including contracts and service delivery

About You

• Background in mineral processing, mining, or industrial processing environments
• Experience in commissioning, start‑up, or early operations
• Strong understanding of operational governance, MOC, and asset management
• Safety-focused with experience in high-risk industrial environments
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills across multiple parties
• Able to operate in a highly ambiguous, first-of-its-kind environment

What’s on Offer

• Opportunity to shape a brand-new processing facility from commissioning phase
• Site-based leadership role with strong autonomy and influence
• Potential relocation support available for interstate candidates
• 38-hour work week (Monday–Friday)
• AO8 Level - Approx. $100/hr + super
• Long-term project with strong government backing

EEO Statement

At Chandler Macleod, we are committed to fostering a diverse workforce where everyone is welcome. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, women, neurodiverse, people living with a disability and the LGBTIQA+ community.

You can read more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion at https://www.chandlermacleod.com/diversity-and-inclusion.