Operations Manager at Ivanhoe Mines

Duties and Responsibilities:

Logistics Management 

• Oversee the entire logistics process for transporting mined materials, including route planning, scheduling, and coordination in conjunction with the planned Production of the mine.
• Collaborate with the Mines Sales and Outbound Logistics team on the production levels and ensure transport allocations are aligned to allow for smooth and timely movements.
• Manage relationships with third-party logistics providers, including trucking, rail, Port warehouses and shipping companies.
• Optimize the transportation network to minimize costs and improve transit times.
• Monitor logistics KPIs, including on-time delivery, load optimization, and transportation costs.
• Identify potential risks in the transportation process and develop contingency plans to mitigate delays or disruptions.

Manage the various sectors of the operations:

• Transport Operations
• Stock Control
• Port Operations 
• Liaison between appointed Sampling Agent and other relevant stakeholders 
• Sea Freight 

Team Leadership 

• Lead a team of coordinators.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration.
• Identify high-potential team members and upskill them for future leadership roles.

Management of Schedules 

• Stock Position and stock levels.
• Communicate forecasts and monthly statistics 

Coordination of Port Operations on CIF Shipments 

• Manage the Port Activities, minimizing any potential service failures and costs thereof.
• Collaborate with Service Providers and Buyers to address any operational challenges and provide solutions of the challenges identified.
• Analyse vessel schedules and communicate any changes to relevant stakeholders.
• Manage the record the times (Rain, possible demurrage, etc.) for on time reporting and identify trends and solutions.
• Ensure Mates Receipt is issued timeously.

Sea freight Coordination on CIF Shipments  

• Co-Ordinate forthcoming sailings and booking of vessels, Vessel Laycan Dates.
• Co-Ordinate with Stock Team on Inventory levels for vessel planning.
• Drafting of Ocean Bill of lading in relation to the Buyers requirements (if required).
• Manage the updating of the Ivanhoe Marketing Sailing Schedules of all Buyers.
• Ensure the final Port of Discharge complies with the DRC Export Licence.
• Acquitting Sea freight Shipments (B/L to Mine) and retiring of Bags on the in-house Software system.

Vessel Nominations and rate Negotiations 

• Liaise with Charterers, shipping lines and carriers to secure competitive rates and secure capacity.
• Develop and implement negotiation strategies to optimize terms, pricing, and contractual terms.
• Keep abreast of industry trends, market conditions, and competitor activities to inform negotiation strategies.
• Review all Charter Party contracts.
• Review, negotiate and conclude demurrage and dispatch and identify trends and solutions in order to minimize.

Communication 

• Serve as the main point of contact between the logistics team and external stakeholders.
• Liaise with Offtakers, Logistics Service Providers and other external partners to ensure clear communication and successful delivery of mined products.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with all service Providers to enhance collaboration and facilitate successful negotiations.
• Foster good working relationships with warehouses, Offtakers, and internal Stock teams.
• Assist and support colleagues, fostering a collaborative and cooperative team culture.

Experience required: 

• Minimum Qualification 
• An understanding of the economic, commercial, technical and political issues affecting the shipping market 
• Experience/knowledge of the freight market, technical requirements and operational knowledge 
• Sounds knowledge of contract management
• Excellent computer skills including proficiency in Microsoft Excel 
• 4-7 years of experience in Bulk and Break-Break Sea freight Exports 
• Ability to analyze data related to stock levels. 
• Strong understanding of international shipping regulations, Inco terms and compliance 
• Excellent knowledge of Chartering Terminology and requirements 
• Good networks of Ships brokers and Chartering Agents 
• Excellent negotiating 
• Proven experience in negotiations, preferably in a business or procurement setting.