Operational Readiness Lead — Mining Projects

MECS Africa; Johannesburg; Hybrid; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,500,000; Full time

Job summary

MECS Africa seeks an accomplished Operational Readiness Leader to command the end-to-end OR programme from execution through handover and ramp-up. You will establish governance, drive readiness across maintenance, HSE, logistics, HR, and systems, and report to executive leadership.

The role requires 15+ years in mining/industrial projects, a degree in engineering or related field, and postgrad qualifications. Hybrid work with site presence is expected during rollout.

Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering, Mining, Metallurgy, Process Engineering, Operations Management, or related technical discipline.
• Postgraduate qualification.
• Project Management and/or Operational Readiness certification advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the integrated OR master plan and readiness schedule aligned to project milestones and commissioning phases.
• Drive readiness across all operational workstreams including: Operations Maintenance HSE Supply Chain Warehousing & Logistics HR & Workforce Readiness Systems & Technology Finance & Commercial Risk & Assurance Training & Competency; Operational Procedures, OEM Readiness.
• Manage readiness gates, acceptance criteria, and operational certification milestones.
• Integrate OR activities into C1C5 commissioning phases and operational handover strategy.
• Lead organisational readiness reviews (ORR) and operational integration milestones.
• Drive ERP, CMMS, maintenance systems, reporting systems, and operational data readiness.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Project management

Change management

Communication

Education

Engineering degree

Postgraduate qualification

Operational Readiness certification (advantageous)

Tools

ERP

CMMS

Maintenance systems

Reporting systems

Documentation management

Job description

MECS Africa seeks an accomplished Operational Readiness Leader to command the end-to-end OR programme from execution through handover and ramp-up. You will establish governance, drive readiness across maintenance, HSE, logistics, HR, and systems, and report to executive leadership.

The role requires 15+ years in mining/industrial projects, a degree in engineering or related field, and postgrad qualifications. Hybrid work with site presence is expected during rollout.