Role Context

Operational Management

• Provide input to strategic plans of the section by compiling comprehensive operational plans, converting the Department into an enabler of the overall business strategy of the organisation.
• Keep abreast of changes in relevant guidelines and other legislation, to make recommendations where policies, processes and/or procedures require amendment.
• Develop, enhance and implement policies, processes and Operational procedures that are within the respective Department aimed at the enhancement of service delivery and overall productivity within the Department.
• Oversee the maintenance, calibration, repair and functioning of instrumentation equipment and systems to ensure safe and efficient operations.
• Develop and implement preventive maintenance programs to minimise equipment downtime and optimise performance in line with health, safety and environmental regulations in instrumentation operations and TM’s standards.
• Oversee the troubleshooting and diagnostic process with regards to complex instrumentation issues and set up action plans to minimise disruptions in operations.
• Manage the execution of critical daily maintenance tasks including the planning of shutdown activities to keep equipment well-conditioned and safe to operate to optimise instrumentation performance.
• Develop and drive the implementation of clear operational plans and principles with regards to asset management to ensure safe and reliable asset care and optimum availability of plant equipment.

Financial Management

• Analyse all relevant Department data and report on Departmental trends and operating requirements determine funding requirements for the financial year.
• Monitor short-term Departmental budgets by scrutinising and aligning spend within the Department, to support and drive effective and efficient functioning within budgetary constraints.
• Monitor Departmental expenditure against budget allocations, requesting appropriate reallocation as required, to manage the prevention of unnecessary spend.
• Comply with all financial, Supply Chain Management (SCM) and other Tharisa Minerals (TM) regulations and policies by facilitating the right actions, to reduce financial risk in the Department.
• Manage the instrumentation department’s budget including forecasting and cost control measures to minimise expenditure and ensure operations are adequately budgeted for.  
• Plan and allocate resources (both financial and non-financial) including the sourcing and evaluation of vendors for instrumentation products, tools and services to meet project deadlines and operational requirements.

People Management

• Create and maintain a conducive work environment by appropriately applying Human Resources policies and procedures to ensure optimum performance is realised for the benefit of the Department and, by extension, the organisation.
• Lead the team according to TM’s leadership principles and values throughout the entire employee life cycle (performance management, reward etc) to ensure, inter alia, a high-performance culture.
• Coach mentor, guide, and provide leadership for the Department, sharing impactful knowledge and identifying opportunities for growth and improvement to drive the success of the team.
• Set clear goals and objectives for the team, monitor progress and provide regular feedback and guidance to achieve the set goals in line with TM’s regulations and standards.
• Manage employee performance and forecasting the skills required to meet business demands and ensure training and upskilling initiatives to ensure the team remains competent and fit for purpose within their roles.

Stakeholder Relations

• Build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure information, advice or opinions on relevant matters is made available and/or communicated with all relevant stakeholders, to manage expectations and timelines.
• Utilise opportunities presented to enhance the relationship between management, unions and employees, and implement processes to maximise a collaborative working relationship.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including operations, engineering and maintenance to address instrumentation related issues and provide advise and recommendations to ensure resolution and continuous improvement.
• Encourage, establish and maintain strategic relationships across multiple functional areas to enable collaboration, knowledge sharing and optimisation of the departments’ processes and productivity.

Compliance, Risk and Safety

• Keep abreast of industry legislative and regulatory changes and drive the alignment of governance, risk and compliance frameworks to ensure adherence to regulations and policies including the Mine Health and Safety Act 29 of 1996.
• Maintain the risk profile for the instrumentation department  to manage critical risks and ensure feedback integration.
• Implement a work ethos across the department that is committed to safeguarding employee safety, health and wellbeing and take remedial actions where necessary to minimise incidents.
•  Maintain records of all maintenance and calibration activities, equipment performance and repairs to ensure compliance with company policies, procedures and regulatory standards.

Requirements

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (NQF 7)
• National Diploma in Instrumentation/Electrical/Electronics

Certifications:

• Trade Certificate in Measurement, Control and Instrumentation advantageous

Job-specific experience:

• 8-10 years’ experience in the plant environment with 3 years in tier 3 project management and execution