General Manager – Operational Readiness (OR)

Introduction
Minopex delivers Operational Readiness services globally, supporting mining and processing projects across all phases of development, execution, and operations.
This position is based at our Head Office in Woodmead, Johannesburg, and will require periodic national and international travel, depending on project needs

Description
The General Manager: Operational Readiness (OR) is responsible for leading the delivery of Minopex’s OR services across the EMEA region, while actively supporting the global development, standardisation, and execution of the OR offering. This role oversees the scoping, planning, and continuous improvement of OR activities to ensure clients are prepared for effective commissioning, ramp-up, and transition to operations

Duties & Responsibilities:

Regional Portfolio Oversight

• Own and manage the regional OR pipeline, ensuring visibility across all active and upcoming projects.
• Support proposal development, client scoping, and resource alignment for new opportunities.
• Step in to directly lead a project where strategically or operationally necessary

Project Management Support:

• Lead and coach a team of OR Project Managers, enabling them to deliver effectively across all project stages.
• Monitor progress, budgets, risks, and stakeholder alignment across the regional project portfolio.
• Ensure appropriate functional and SME support is mobilised per project needs

OR Capability and Continuous Improvement:

• Drive continuous improvement of OR tools, processes, and delivery models within the region.
• Identify gaps, inefficiencies, or innovation opportunities in project execution and functional integration.
• Support the development and refinement of OR products, digital platforms, templates, and knowledge systems.

Global Alignment and Contribution:

• Actively contribute to the global definition, improvement, and rollout of Minopex’s Operational Readiness standards, tools, and methodologies.
• Support global OR execution where regional teams require augmentation, ensuring seamless integration of resources and consistent delivery quality.
• Collaborate across regions to drive consistency in client experience, technical output, and reporting—regardless of project geography.

Stakeholder Engagement and Governance:

• Support Project Managers with stakeholder alignment, stepping in where senior involvement or issue resolution is needed.
• Build strong internal relationships with functional heads across the DRA Group of companies in the region.
• Engage early with clients to position Operational Readiness as a strategic value-add, while creating opportunities for Minopex and DRA through excellence in delivery and client engagement

Qualification Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical, Chemical, Mechanical, Mining Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Postgraduate qualification in Project Management, Business Administration, or similar (advantageous).
• Deep understanding of operational principles, gained through hands-on leadership experience, with the ability to translate operational needs into project and readiness contexts

Experience and Skills Requirements

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in mining and/or mineral processing operations, with at least 5 years in senior operational leadership roles (e.g. Plant Manager, Mining Manager, or Area Manager).
• Direct responsibility for safety, production, performance, and multi-functional integration within site operations.
• Additional 3–5 years’ experience in project delivery, commissioning, or Operational Readiness, with involvement across project phases such as study, construction, and ramp-up.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and interface effectively with clients, EPCMs, and internal stakeholders.
• Preferred background in Mining, Processing, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering, with demonstrated leadership beyond a single technical discipline.
• Experience supporting proposals, scoping efforts, or internal business development is advantageous