Senior Cost Controller

Tlea; City Of Kwinana; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus

Superannuation

Long service leave

Inclusive work environment

Job summary

Tianqi Lithium Energy Australia (TLEA) is seeking a Senior Cost Controller to join the Kwinana refinery team full-time on a max term basis. The role focuses on proactive cost and change management across brownfield projects, ensuring alignment with budgets and schedules, and delivering accurate forecasts to support portfolio decisions.

You will work with Project Managers, Engineers, Procurement and Operations, using SAP and MS Excel to prepare cost reports, manage change, and identify cost

Qualifications

• At least 5 years as Cost Controller on mining, chemical or mineral projects.
• Experience budgeting, forecasting, reporting and cost risk management.
• Proven ability to monitor expenditures and prepare cost reports.
• Strong Excel skills; SAP experience is essential; Power BI beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate safety commitment and uphold project controls guidelines.
• Manage cost control across brownfield project portfolio from initiation to handover.
• Prepare budgets, forecasts, contingency and cost-risk analyses.
• Assess third-party claims and translate changes into cost forecasts.
• Collaborate with PMs, engineers, procurement and construction teams.
• Maintain cost risk register and present regular reports to management.
• Ensure alignment with approved budgets and governance processes.

Skills

Cost budgeting

Forecasting

Financial reporting

Cost analysis

Claim assessment

SAP

MS Excel

Power BI

Data visualisation

Tools

SAP

Job description

We are a joint venture between Tianqi Lithium Corporation and IGO Ltd. As pioneers in the Australian lithium industry, we've already achieved great things, including building the first battery-grade lithium hydroxide plant in Australia, paving the way for Australia to be a major player in the global transition to a clean energy future.

We’re looking for people who want to be a part of the industry of the future - people who work with purpose and urgency, take initiative, and rise to challenges. We're seeking individuals who empower others, embrace innovation, and want to work in an open and supportive environment, where teamwork and collaboration are valued.

At TLEA, you’ll be part of a team that is excited to be involved in a world-class project that benefits not only the Western Australian community but the world.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Are you passionate about making a real impact?

TLEA is welcoming applications for a full-time, Max term Senior Cost Controller to join our team working at our Kwinana plant.

The successful applicant will be responsible for providing proactive cost and change management support to join our dynamic projects team at Tianqi Lithium Energy Australia Kwinana refinery. The successful candidate will be responsible for the cost control activities for our portfolio of brownfield projects from initiation through execution to commissioning and handover to Operations. This role is critical to ensuring the successful execution of the portfolio of ramp-up projects within the committed budget. The outcomes achieved from these projects will benefit for producing the highest quality and most cost-effective lithium hydroxide in the world.

In addition to possessing our core values of distinction, pragmatism, honesty, tenacity and innovation, this position will suit an individual with prior Cost Control experience at a senior level, with exposure to Brownfields environments and operations.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Demonstrate personal commitment to safety and the well-being of people.
• Ensures that cost control is consistent with owner’s execution strategy, overall objectives, and industry standards.
• Support Project Managers and Project Control Lead in planning engineering and execution of a portfolio of brownfield projects.
• Project cost and change management across portfolio of brownfield projects.
• Establishing budget, change management, contingency management, cost risk management, cashflow forecast estimates, cost analysis to provide guidance of Estimate at Completion cost, monthly and ad hoc reporting.
• Assess claims from 3rd party and recommend payment.
• Work collaboratively with owner’s project team; Project Managers, Project Engineers, Construction Engineers, Procurement, Discipline Engineers to assess changes to project activities and translating these changes into a forecast of project cost.
• Monitor project expenditures and ensure they align with the approved budget.
• Collaborate with procurement, engineering and construction teams to obtain accurate cost information.
• Implement cost control measures to prevent cost overruns.
• Ensure compliance to the project controls guidelines and procedures.
• Identify gaps in systems, process, procedures, tools and implement changes to close gap.
• Be fully conversant with the operation of SAP and Microsoft Excel as applied to project accounting and cost control.
• Prepare and present regular cost reports and forecasts to management.
• Identify potential project cost risks and develop risk mitigation plans.
• Maintain a cost risk register and update it regularly based on project progress and changes.
• Assist in project lesson learnt.
• Create a highly committed and collaborative team environment.
• Ensures governance of the Owner’s project planning processes, specifically compliance to procedures and policies.
• Manage relationships and use ‘Best for Project’ decision making to deliver project objectives.

WHAT YOU CAN BRING

• Proven experience of at least 5 years as a Cost Controller working on projects in the mining, chemical or mineral processing industry.
• Skills in cost budgeting, forecasting, reporting, financial analysis and claim assessment.
• Monitor project expenditures, keep track of purchase requisitions, purchase orders, invoices and variations.
• Prepare weekly and monthly cost control reports and proactively advise management of potential cost overruns for timely corrective action.
• Experience using SAP software is essential.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office suites is essential, particularly a strong skill of MS Excel and the ability to learn new systems and tools.
• Competency with Power BI and Data Visualisation is beneficial but not essential.
• High degree of competency with data analysis will be preferred.
• Able to multi-task and work under pressure to meet deadlines.
• A good team spirit with strong interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work with team members across levels.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Contribute to a green and sustainable industry of the future.
• Competitive salary with a performance-based discretionary bonus structure
• Additional Superannuation
• Award and recognition program
• Long service leave option after 5 years (pro rata)
• Supportive colleagues committed to your success and well-being
• Inclusive and diverse work environment

LOCATION

TLEA proudly acknowledges and the Whadjuk and Gnaala Karla Boodja people of the Noongar Nation, as the traditional custodians of the Kwinana area, where we operate our plant.

Kwinana is 38 km from the Perth central business district, 20 km from City of Fremantle and just 7km from Rockingham.

At Tianqi Lithium Energy Australia, we embrace and recognise the value of diversity. We are committed to providing a work environment where everyone is included, treated fairly and with respect. We welcome and encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds.