JOB PURPOSE:
- The purpose of the role is to support the SANPC refinery’s operational readiness, regulatory compliance, and production continuity through safe, timely, and cost-effective project delivery The role leads the planning, prioritisation, and execution of capital and brownfield projects, drives integration across Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, SHEQ, Finance, and external partners, and ensures that all project outcomes support SANPC’s deliverables, regulatory obligations, and strategic objectives.
REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Honour’s degree (NQF 8) in any engineering discipline (Mechanical / Chemical / Civil / Industrial) or equivalent qualification.
- 5 years as a project manager or project controls of which 3 to 5 years’ experience as a project lead in high value / impact / risk projects.
- Experience coordinating EPC or maintenance contractors
- Experience influencing operational, technical and safety decisions at senior level
- Demonstrated portfolio-level planning, scheduling and risk management
- Experience in Refinery, process plant, or petrochemical infrastructure projects
- Demonstrated cost control and project scheduling experience
- Project Management certification is a requirement
- Exposure to refinery or process plant environments is advantageous
- Master’s degree (NQF 9) in Engineering Mechanical/ Chemical/ Civil/ Industrial or related qualification will serve as an added advantage.
DESIRED ADDITIONAL SKILLS/ COMPETENCIES:
- In-depth understanding of refinery and petroleum processing infrastructure.
- Proven experience in project execution within brownfield environments.
- Strong capability in cost estimation, CAPEX control, and budget management.
- Sound experience in construction planning and shutdown execution.
- Working knowledge and awareness of HAZID and HAZOP methodologies.
- Solid understanding of regulatory, safety, and compliance requirements.
- Advanced project management skills (translating of trading requirements into a scope, project planning and detailed scheduling, cost-tracking, forecasting and variance analysis)
- Ability to Interface management between trading, operations and infrastructure teams
- Knowledge of Risk identification and mitigation
- Understanding of Financial Acumen, Commercial Acumen and Budget management
- Communication skills, Negotiation skills Influencing and negotiating at an executive level
- Leadership in uncertainty and complexity
- Knowledge of Contractor performance management and Systems thinking skills
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:
Strategic Project & Portfolio planning & scheduling
- Lead annual and multi-year planning of refinery-linked CAPEX and brownfield projects.
- Define project strategies, methodologies, execution sequencing, and resource planning.
- Integrate schedules with refinery production plans, shutdown calendars, and maintenance strategies.
- Develop and manage detailed project schedules
- Coordinate shutdown, brownfield, and phased execution plans
- Track progress and manage recovery plans
Portfolio Cost Governance Management & Investment Optimisation Controls
- Develop and monitor project budgets
- Track commitments, actuals, and forecasts
- Support cost verification and reporting
- Develop business cases, cost estimates, budget submissions and prioritisation recommendations.
- Evaluate cost drivers, commercial risks, and value engineering opportunities.
- Oversee project cost control, forecasting, and financial reporting.
High-Risk Project execution Leadership
- Coordinate engineering, procurement, and construction activities
- Manage contractor interfaces and site execution
- Ensure alignment with SANPC Refinery operational requirements
- Lead engineering, procurement, construction, installation, and commissioning activities.
- Manage multiple contractor teams and ensure alignment to refinery standards.
- Implement brownfield execution controls, shutdown planning, and safe execution protocols.
Commissioning, Start-up & Operational Readiness Leadership
- Define commissioning strategies and readiness milestones.
- Lead testing, performance verification, handover, and operations acceptance.
- Ensure defects, punch lists and warranty obligations are closed out
- Coordinate testing, inspections, and acceptance activities
- Ensure defects and punch-list items are resolved
- Facilitate formal handover to Operations and Maintenance
Contractor Strategy, Performance and Commercial Management
- Develop contract strategies and evaluate EPC/EPCM contracting options.
- Lead contract negotiations, performance reviews, and commercial engagements.
- Manage claims, variations, disputes, and commercial exposure.
- Support procurement and contractor onboarding
- Monitor contractor performance and Manage variations, claims, and scope changes
Stakeholder Leadership & Technical Integration engagement
- Effective engagement with Operations, Maintenance, SHEQ and Engineering
- Alignment of project execution with refinery operating constraints
- Engage refinery, engineering, operations, SHEQ, maintenance, finance, and external Parties
- Facilitate decision-making on technical options, risks, and resource constraints.
- Lead cross-functional working groups for refinery project integration.
Enterprise Risk, Safety and Regulatory compliance
- Lead risk identification, prioritisation, and mitigation across multiple projects.
- Ensure compliance with refinery SHEQ standards, statutory requirements, and regulatory licences.
- Champion safe execution culture and safety leadership behaviours.
- Maintain project risk registers and ensure compliance with refinery safety and environmental standards
- Support audits, inspections, and assurance processes
Executive Reporting, Governance and Decision Support
- Prepare strategic portfolio-level reporting for GM, EXCO, and governance structures.
- Provide evidence-based decision recommendations on optimisation, risks, and investment options.
- Ensure project documentation is complete, auditable, and governance aligned.
- Prepare regular project status reports and Support governance submissions and approvals
- Maintain complete and auditable project records
Closing Date: 18 February 2026
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