[Hiring] Director: Operations and Maintenance @STELO

Role Description

The Director: Operations & Maintenance will provide strategic and operational leadership for STELO's Operations & Maintenance Division. The successful candidate will oversee multiple mining processing operations across Africa, ensuring world-class operational performance, safety, profitability, and client satisfaction while driving the growth of the division through business development and strategic partnerships.

This role is ideally suited to an experienced executive who thrives in dynamic environments, enjoys building high-performing teams, and is passionate about improving mining operations through operational excellence and innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership
  • Lead and develop STELO's Operations & Maintenance Division.
  • Develop and execute the Division's strategic growth plan.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives across all operations.
  • Build a culture focused on safety, operational excellence, accountability, and innovation.
  • Mentor and develop senior operational leadership teams.
• Operational Leadership
  • Provide executive oversight of multiple Operations & Maintenance contracts, including:
    • Operational Readiness
    • Commissioning
    • Ramp-up to design capacity
    • Production optimisation
    • Maintenance excellence
    • Asset reliability
    • Procurement oversight
    • Contract performance
    • Cost optimisation
    • Workforce planning
  • Ensure all contracts consistently achieve or exceed client expectations relating to:
    • Production throughput
    • Plant availability
    • Equipment reliability
    • Recovery performance
    • Product quality
    • Budget performance
    • Safety performance
    • Environmental compliance
• Business Growth
  • Play a leading role in expanding STELO's footprint across Africa by:
    • Identifying new business opportunities
    • Developing strategic client relationships
    • Leading tender and proposal development
    • Supporting commercial negotiations
    • Developing strategic partnerships and alliances
    • Identifying new commodities and geographical markets
    • Working closely with the Executive Team on long-term business strategy
• Client Relationship Management
  • Develop trusted relationships with executive client representatives by:
    • Acting as the senior operational interface
    • Conducting regular executive performance reviews
    • Managing contract governance
    • Identifying opportunities for value creation
    • Ensuring long-term client satisfaction
• Financial Management
  • Manage divisional budgets and financial performance.
  • Improve operational margins.
  • Identify productivity improvements.
  • Drive cost optimisation initiatives.
  • Monitor contract profitability.
  • Support financial forecasting and strategic planning.
• People Leadership
  • Recruit and develop high-performing operational teams.
  • Coach senior managers and site leadership.
  • Promote leadership development.
  • Build a strong culture of accountability.
  • Foster collaboration across international teams.
• Safety & Operational Excellence
  • Champion an uncompromising safety culture by ensuring:
    • Compliance with all legal requirements
    • Adherence to company policies and procedures
    • Best-practice operational standards
    • Continuous improvement of HSE performance
    • Strong risk management practices

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in:
  • Metallurgical Engineering
  • Process Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • or an equivalent engineering discipline
• A postgraduate qualification (MBA or Master's Degree) will be advantageous.

Requirements

• Minimum 15 years' experience in mining processing operations and maintenance.
• Extensive leadership experience managing large mineral processing operations.
• Experience managing outsourced Operations & Maintenance contracts.
• Proven success leading commissioning and Operational Readiness programmes.
• Strong commercial and contract management experience.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams across multiple sites.
• International mining experience, particularly within Africa, will be highly advantageous.

Technical Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of:
  • Crushing
  • Milling
  • Flotation
  • Thickening
  • Leaching
  • Filtration
  • Drying
  • Concentrator operations
  • Asset Management
  • Reliability Engineering
  • Maintenance Planning
  • TPM
  • RCM
  • Operational Readiness
  • Commissioning
  • Enterprise Asset Management Systems (EAM)
  • Production Management Systems
  • Continuous Improvement methodologies

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic thinking
• Commercial acumen
• Inspirational leadership
• Strong business development capability
• Executive presence
• Excellent negotiation skills
• Client relationship management
• Financial management
• Change leadership
• Decision making under pressure
• Problem-solving ability
• High emotional intelligence
• Results orientation
• Integrity and accountability

Travel Requirements

This role requires frequent international travel to mining operations across Africa. The successful candidate should be comfortable working in remote mining environments and travelling extensively.

Benefits

• Lead large-scale mining Operations & Maintenance contracts.
• Work with world-class mining clients.
• Build and grow an expanding international business.
• Influence strategic business decisions.
• Develop innovative operational solutions.
• Work alongside highly experienced mining professionals.
• Make a lasting impact on mining operations throughout Africa.