Operational Readiness Lead (Greenfields/Brownfields Mining Operations) – Bryanston/Zimbabwe at MECS (Pty) Ltd

• A major mining and processing operation is entering the critical transition phase from project execution into sustainable business operations.
• We are seeking an exceptional Operational Readiness Lead to drive and integrate all Operational Readiness (OR) activities across Project, Business, Operations, EPCM, OEM, Commissioning, and corporate functions to ensure a safe, efficient, and seamless handover into operations.
• This role is both administrative and strategic in nature, serving as a critical execution leadership function accountable for ensuring the business is fully prepared to assume operational ownership across people, systems, governance, risk, maintenance, supply chain, safety, commissioning, and performance readiness.
• The successful candidate will lead the integration of the Operational Readiness Framework (ORF), Project Operational Readiness (POR), and Business Operational Readiness (BOR) programmes through commissioning, handover, ramp-up, and operational stabilisation.
• This is a highly visible role interfacing directly with executive leadership, project directors, operational leadership teams, OEMs, EPCMs, contractors, and commissioning teams.
• Operational Readiness Leadership
• Lead the full Operational Readiness programme from execution through handover and ramp-up.
• Establish and manage the integrated OR governance structure, reporting systems, readiness reviews, and assurance processes.
• Drive alignment between Project Operational Readiness (POR) and Business Operational Readiness (BOR).
• Ensure operational ownership is embedded well before handover.
• Lead Operational Readiness Steering Committee (ORSC) engagements and executive reporting.

QUALIFICATIONS

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

Integrated Readiness Planning & Execution

• 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.

Commissioning, Handover & Ramp-Up

• Integrate OR activities into C1–C5 commissioning phases and operational handover strategy.
• Ensure operational teams are fully prepared for:
• Cold commissioning
• Hot commissioning
• Start-up
• Ramp-up
• Performance validation
• Coordinate readiness reviews, punch-list closeout, asset handovers, documentation acceptance, and operational acceptance certification.
• Ensure handover packages, operational procedures, maintenance systems, and training records are complete and verified.

Business & Operational Integration

• Drive the transition from project ownership to business ownership.
• Ensure operational structures, operating models, and departmental readiness are established prior to handover.
• Facilitate alignment between project teams and future operational leadership.
• Lead organisational readiness reviews (ORR) and operational integration milestones.

Systems, Technology & Data Readiness

• Ensure operational systems are integrated, validated, and fully functional prior to operations takeover.
• Drive ERP, CMMS, maintenance systems, reporting systems, and operational data readiness.
• Ensure asset registers, maintenance strategies, operational data, and digital systems are verified and operationally accepted.

Workforce Readiness & Competency

• Lead workforce readiness planning, recruitment coordination, onboarding, training, and competency assurance.
• Ensure competency verification systems and readiness certification processes are implemented.
• Coordinate OEM training, operational training, and maintenance capability development.
• Drive operational culture integration and change readiness initiatives.

Risk, Governance & Assurance

• Lead OR risk identification, mitigation, and readiness assurance processes.
• Develop and maintain Operational Readiness risk registers, action tracking systems, and assurance frameworks.
• Facilitate readiness audits, gap assessments, and executive readiness reporting.
• Escalate critical operational risks impacting safe startup or operational performance.

Stakeholder Management

• Build strong relationships across executive leadership, operations, project delivery, EPCM partners, OEMs, contractors, and regulators.
• Act as the primary integrator between project execution and operational business readiness.
• Drive accountability across multidisciplinary teams in a high-pressure project environment.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 15+ years’ experience within mining, minerals processing, heavy industrial, or large capital projects.
• Proven experience leading Operational Readiness programmes on major brownfield or greenfield projects.
• Demonstrated success transitioning projects into operations within complex industrial environments.
• Strong exposure to:
• Commissioning & start-up
• Operations integration
• Ramp-up and performance optimisation
• Maintenance readiness
• Governance and assurance frameworks
• Operational risk management
• OEM integration
• Operational systems implementation
• Experience working within EPCM, owner’s team, or integrated project delivery environments.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and senior stakeholder engagement.

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES
The successful candidate should demonstrate strong capability in:

• Operational Readiness Frameworks (ORF / POR / BOR)
• Commissioning & start-up integration
• Operational handover governance
• Readiness planning and scheduling
• Risk and assurance management
• Operational systems integration
• Maintenance and reliability readiness
• Supply chain and logistics readiness
• SOP and operational procedure development
• Change management and organisational readiness
• Executive reporting and governance
• Readiness reviews and gate assurance
• Performance ramp-up and operational optimisation
• Budget and Cashflow
• Planning