Principal Ops Readiness | BHP Chile

BHP Career Portal; Santiago; On-site; CLP 35,000,000 - 60,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional Development

Competitive compensation

Inclusive culture

Recognition program Big Thanks

Job summary

BHP Chile seeks an experienced Principal Operational Readiness professional to lead operational readiness across a sub-portfolio of investments. You will support leaders to embed operational requirements from design to handover, ensuring safety, efficiency, and value realization.

The role emphasizes hands‑on leadership, stakeholder collaboration, and risk‑aware decision making. You will drive governance, training, and handover readiness, while coordinating across engineering, project management,

Qualifications

• Experience in project management and/or operational site environments.
• Strong critical thinking, problem‑solving, and issue resolution abilities.
• Proven capability to manage multiple priorities with high accuracy and detail.

Responsibilities

• Develop and govern asset maintenance strategies to improve long‑term value.
• Apply knowledge of operational systems to support project outcomes.
• Develop Operational Readiness plans, schedules, and handover requirements for assets.
• Provide technical expertise and leadership to meet objectives.
• Build relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Identify and assess risks to support risk‑informed decisions.
• Plan, monitor, and manage project activities to deliver value.
• Design governance and change management practices to protect value.
• Embed operational requirements into project scope and handover planning.

Skills

Operational leadership

Critical thinking

Problem solving

Multi-priority management

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Tailings processing knowledge

Project coordination

Safety culture

Education

Metallurgical or Chemical Engineering degree

Trade Certificate

Project Management Certification

Engineering/STEM/Business degree (advantage)

Job description

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Principal Ops Readiness | BHP Chile

Date: 28 Oct 2026

Job Posting End Date:

Job Country: Chile

Job State/Province: Santiago

Job Location/Region:

About BHP Chile
At BHP Chile, our corporate office in Santiago is the strategic heart of our operations in the country. From here, we lead projects that drive responsible mining and innovation, connecting local impact with BHP’s global vision. We are part of a company dedicated to natural resources, present in more than 90 locations worldwide, committed to creating a more sustainable future.

Why BHP Chile?
Here, you’ll have the opportunity to grow in an organization that values diversity, fosters professional development, and invests in technologies that transform the mining industry. At BHP Chile, you can make a real impact on the community and the environment while building your career in a company recognized for its inclusive culture and commitment to the future.

The challenge that awaits you

As a Principal Operational Readiness, you will provide Operational Readiness leadership across a sub-portfolio of investments or a single critical investment. You will support the Operational Readiness Manager and Area Lead Manager in the execution of Operational Readiness activities within a broader project portfolio, ensuring a safe, efficient, and seamless transition from project delivery into operations. As an individual contributor, you will leverage your technical expertise, stakeholder engagement capability, and project leadership skills to embed operational requirements throughout the project lifecycle and maximize long-term value outcomes.

You will play a key role in ensuring operational considerations are incorporated into project design, execution, commissioning, handover, ramp‑up, and stabilization activities, while promoting safe performance, risk‑informed decision‑making, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and govern asset and maintenance strategies to drive continuous improvement, replicate best practices, and optimize long‑term value across assets and equipment.
• Apply a strong understanding of operational systems, activities, workflows, key processes, terminology, and handover risks to support successful project outcomes.
• Develop Operational Readiness plans, schedules, and deliverables, evaluating systems and procedures for compliance and defining training and handover requirements required to prepare assets for operation.
• Verify construction methodologies and provide advice on engineering decisions in alignment with project, construction, commissioning, and engineering standards.
• Provide discipline‑specific technical expertise and leadership to meet technical expectations and operational objectives.
• Build, engage, and manage effective relationships with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Identify and assess risks, support risk‑informed decision‑making, and contribute to a strong risk‑aware culture that enables safe and productive performance.
• Plan, monitor, and manage project activities to deliver value and achieve project outcomes.
• Conduct analyses and provide evidence‑based recommendations to support effective business and project decisions.
• Design and implement governance, assurance, and Management of Change practices to protect value and manage project outcomes.
• Embed key operational requirements, operational value drivers, and operational inputs into project scope, design, execution, and handover planning.
• Ensure ramp‑up planning and stabilization support requirements are incorporated into project plans.
• Ensure Operational Readiness costs and schedules are integrated into project master plans and budgets.
• Maintain up‑to‑date and representative operational inputs to support project scope definition and decision‑making processes.
• Ensure operational impacts are considered during value optimization and alternative evaluation processes across projects and portfolios.
• Manage the availability and allocation of Operational Readiness resources required to deliver project objectives successfully.

What you will bring

• Relevant experience in Project Management and/or operational site environments.
• A diverse professional background demonstrating strong critical thinking, problem‑solving capability, and the ability to proactively identify and resolve issues.
• Strong understanding of safe operations and safe work practices, with the ability to perform effectively in dynamic and uncertain environments.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication, engagement, and influencing skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships across a broad stakeholder network.
• Experience in tailings thickening and transport processes, ideally gained through growth projects related to tailings management.
• Solid understanding of unit processes, operational environments, electromechanical equipment, operating costs, and operational philosophy.
• Degree qualification in Metallurgical Engineering or Chemical Engineering.
• Trade Certificate and Project Management Certification.
• Tertiary qualification in Engineering, STEM, or Business disciplines will be advantageous.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent stakeholder management, relationship‑building, strategic thinking, planning, and time management capabilities.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across multiple teams, stakeholders, and business functions with diverse priorities and requirements.

What makes this opportunity unique

This role offers the opportunity to influence complex projects from concept through operational handover, ensuring operational excellence, safety, and value creation are embedded at every stage. You will contribute your technical expertise to critical tailings‑related growth projects while collaborating with a broad network of technical and project professionals to drive successful operational outcomes.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

At BHP Chile, we understand that to give your best, you need to feel your best. That’s why our benefits are designed to support you at every stage, caring for your health, driving your development, and promoting a real balance between your personal and professional life.

• Professional Development: Continuous learning and real growth opportunities.
• Compensation: Fair and competitive, reflecting your role, skills, and achievements.
• Inclusive Culture: We promote a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and free to express their authentic identity.
• Recognition: We reward your achievements through our global recognition program Big Thanks | Muchas Gracias.

And much more!

About Our Process
At BHP, we hire people who align with our values and meet the role requirements. As part of the process, we may review compliance with minimum requirements.

Why Not You?

With operations worldwide, BHP offers limitless opportunities. From competitive benefits to the chance to work in different countries, here you can design your career your way. If you’re looking for a place where your work has purpose and your growth is part of the journey, this could be your next step.

We Support a Diverse Workforce
At BHP, we adhere to Inclusion Law 21.015.

We know diversity makes us stronger. That’s why we focus on creating a more diverse workforce that represents the communities where we operate and live, ensuring a workplace where everyone is included and treated with respect.

We are committed to a fair, equitable, and accessible selection process for all. If you have any type of disability, please write to [e-mail] so we can adjust our selection process and provide the necessary support.