General Manager: Maintenance and Projects

Description:

PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

The General Manager – Maintenance and Projects is accountable for the overall leadership, strategy, and execution of engineering maintenance and capital project functions across the mining division. The role ensures asset availability and integrity to support production targets, while driving operational efficiency, compliance, and sustainable cost control. The incumbent leads a multi-disciplinary team responsible for both mobile and fixed plant maintenance, capital project execution, and technical governance

QUALIFICATION(S) AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical and electrical (Essential)
• Postgraduate Qualification in Engineering (Essential)
• Government Certificate of Competency (GCC Mines and Works) (Essential)
• Project Management Certification (PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent)
• MBA, MBL, Postgraduate Qualification in Engineering or master’s in operations management (Advantageous)

Minimum Qualification(s) and Experience

• Minimum 15 years’ experience in chemical, metallurgical, or heavy industrial plants (e.g., sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid, smelters, or refineries and Mining)
• At least 8 years in a senior leadership role within maintenance or engineering environments
• Demonstrated success in executing CAPEX projects >R50 million in a processing plant context
• Proven track record in assets reliability management, cost optimisation, engineering compliance and shutdown execution
• Experience engaging with regulators (e.g., DWS, NEMA, DMR), unions, and OEMs.

• Maintenance Strategy Development and Execution
  Lead the development and execution of long-term maintenance strategies for fixed and mobile assets (e.g., crushers, conveyors, draglines, excavators, yellow equipment). Align engineering strategy with production goals and sustainability requirements.

• Asset Performance and Reliability Management
  Implement world-class reliability practices (RCM, RCA, condition monitoring, predictive analytics) to maximize asset performance. Track KPIs like equipment availability, MTTR, MTBF, and ensure compliance with OEM standards.

• Capital and Operational Projects Oversight
  Lead execution of capital and operational engineering projects, from feasibility through commissioning. Oversee contractor management, budgeting, risk mitigation, engineering design compliance, and timeline delivery.
  
  
• Engineering Governance and Legal Compliance
  Ensure full compliance with MHSA, DMR requirements, SANS codes, OEM specs, and internal governance frameworks. Maintain all statutory documentation, including asset registers, permits, and engineering drawings.
  Turnaround, Shutdown and Emergency Maintenance Management

• Plan, schedule, and lead execution of plant/mine-wide shutdowns and statutory inspections. Ensure shutdown scopes, safety controls, resource planning, and recovery timelines are met.
  
  
• Budget Management and Cost Optimization
  Develop and manage annual OPEX and CAPEX budgets. Implement cost control initiatives such as energy efficiency projects, spares optimization, lifecycle cost reduction, and procurement rationalization.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical and electrical (Essential)
• Postgraduate Qualification in Engineering (Essential)
• Government Certificate of Competency (GCC Mines and Works) (Essential)
• Project Management Certification (PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent)
• MBA, MBL, Postgraduate Qualification in Engineering or master’s in operations management (Advantageous)

• Minimum 15 years’ experience in chemical, metallurgical, or heavy industrial plants (e.g., sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid, smelters, or refineries and Mining)
• At least 8 years in a senior leadership role within maintenance or engineering environments
• Demonstrated success in executing CAPEX projects >R50 million in a processing plant context
• Proven track record in assets reliability management, cost optimisation, engineering compliance and shutdown execution
• Experience engaging with regulators (e.g., DWS, NEMA, DMR), unions, and OEMs.

• Maintenance Strategy Development and Execution
  Lead the development and execution of long-term maintenance strategies for fixed and mobile assets (e.g., crushers, conveyors, draglines, excavators, yellow equipment). Align engineering strategy with production goals and sustainability requirements.

• Asset Performance and Reliability Management
  Implement world-class reliability practices (RCM, RCA, condition monitoring, predictive analytics) to maximize asset performance. Track KPIs like equipment availability, MTTR, MTBF, and ensure compliance with OEM standards.

• Capital and Operational Projects Oversight
  Lead execution of capital and operational engineering projects, from feasibility through commissioning. Oversee contractor management, budgeting, risk mitigation, engineering design compliance, and timeline delivery.
  
  
• Engineering Governance and Legal Compliance
  Ensure full compliance with MHSA, DMR requirements, SANS codes, OEM specs, and internal governance frameworks. Maintain all statutory documentation, including asset registers, permits, and engineering drawings.
  Turnaround, Shutdown and Emergency Maintenance Management

• Plan, schedule, and lead execution of plant/mine-wide shutdowns and statutory inspections. Ensure shutdown scopes, safety controls, resource planning, and recovery timelines are met.
  
  
• Budget Management and Cost Optimization
  Develop and manage annual OPEX and CAPEX budgets. Implement cost control initiatives such as energy efficiency projects, spares optimization, lifecycle cost reduction, and procurement rationalization.