Operations Manager (Owner’s Representative)

Job Details About the Opportunity Located in Townsville Long-term contract position ending June 2028 Salary – open to negotiation u&u Recruitment Partners is recruiting an experienced Operations Manager for a new minerals processing facility located in Townsville, supporting the continued development of Queensland’s critical minerals industry. This is an opportunity to join the facility at an important stage as it moves through operational readiness and start-up into early operations. As the Operations Manager and Owner’s Representative, you will be the key onsite representative, working closely with the facility operator, contractors, suppliers, technical teams and customers. Rather than directly managing the operating workforce, your focus will be on operational governance and assurance – setting expectations, monitoring performance and ensuring the facility operates safely, reliably and consistently. The Role Your responsibilities will include: Acting as the onsite Owner’s Representative and key interface between the facility operator, contractors, suppliers and customers; Overseeing operational readiness, start-up and customer / campaign readiness activities; Monitoring operational performance, KPIs, incidents, risks and corrective actions; Providing oversight of safe operating practices, high-risk work and critical controls; Maintaining governance across Management of Change, asset configuration, maintenance and reliability; Establishing operating routines, performance expectations and clear escalation pathways; Managing relationships with contractors, suppliers, advisors and prospective customers; Supporting commercial activities including tendering, contract negotiation and implementation; and Providing clear reporting and advice on operational performance, risks and emerging issues. About You We are looking for an experienced operational leader who understands what it takes to safely operate a complex minerals processing plant and can work effectively across operations, maintenance, safety, technical and commercial teams. You will ideally have: Experience working within a minerals processing plant or complex processing environment; Senior operational leadership experience within an operating plant or facility; Experience across commissioning, start-up and operational readiness; Knowledge of operational governance, assurance and risk-based decision making; Experience across asset management, maintenance and reliability; Knowledge of Management of Change and controlled operational environments; Experience managing contractors and external service providers; The ability to build effective relationships with a broad range of stakeholders; and A professional, calm and practical leadership style. The role is suited to someone from resources, minerals processing, energy, chemicals or another complex heavy industrial environment. A current open C Class Driver Licence and Construction White Card are mandatory. Why Consider This Opportunity? This is not a typical established-site Operations Manager position. You will have the opportunity to join a new processing facility during its early stages and help establish the operational discipline, governance, relationships and processes that will support its future operations. For someone with a minerals processing background who enjoys working across operations, people, contractors and stakeholders, this is a rare opportunity to contribute to a new facility supporting the growth of Queensland’s critical minerals industry. How to Apply For more information or a confidential discussion please click to reveal the contact details for Jessica Gordon at u&u jessica.gordon@uandu.com quoting reference number 46303. At u&u Recruitment Partners, we value diversity, equity and inclusion. We welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and people with disability. Should you require reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process (including alternate formats to apply), or have a preferred method of communication, we encourage you to make a request via adjustments@uandu.com or contact u&u on 07 3232 9100 to discuss. In response to these requests, we will collaborate closely with you to implement the appropriate adjustments. Additionally, for a barrier-free and inclusive online experience, you can access u&u’s opportunities using accessibility software Recite Me at https://www.uandu.com/jobs. Please submit your resume in Word format only.