Head of Department - Surface Haulage Services
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Eastern Highlands, Papua New Guinea
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Fixed Term 3-year contract
About us
K92 Mining Limited are the owners the high-grade Kainantu Gold Mine in Eastern Highlands Province. Since commencing operations in 2016, we have delivered consistent production growth. More importantly, we have contributed significantly to the economy of Papua New Guinea, more than 90% of our employees and contractors are from PNG and our local education and skills development initiatives which include scholarships, traineeships and adult literacy programs continue to bring significant benefit the communities in which we operate.
We are now transforming the operation with a new 1.2 mtpa process plant as well as extensive construction and expansion across site that will see us triple the output from our mine by 2027. In addition to our ongoing production success, we have an extensive exploration programme across our highly prospective tenement, making K92 a great place to build a long-term career.
About the role
As we double our output from 600ktpa to 1.2 mtpa from our K92 underground gold mine in 2026 and have higher production targets to hit in 2027, you will manage the effective and safe operation of the surface haulage services and associated infrastructure with a highly skilled expat staff and national workforce.
We’re looking for a proven leader, with extensive commercial and/or contracts experience, who thrives mentoring and building successful mining teams by blending a highly collaborative approach with an exceptional commitment to safety and a focus on continuous improvement. In this role you will ensure world class safety standards, planning, and production of the surface haulage services for the Kainantu Gold Mine in compliance with government and statutory requirements.
Key / Major Accountabilities
- Prepare business and actions plans, monitor performance against plans, develop and manage the budget for mining, plan
- and allocate resource requirements, and schedule work to achieve the required work output of the team.
- Deploy and secure resources to meet the plan and budget objectives.
- Immediately address any variances against the plan to ensure delivery of the annual business plan.
- Develop and execute contingency plans to ensure plan delivery.
- Put in place and manage effective processes for reviewing progress against plan with direct reports.
- Manage the surface haulage entity as a stand-alone company, contracting to K92 for the agreed scope of works, including invoicing K92 monthly.
- Manage the landowner companies as part owners of the entity.
- Develop a cohesive team committed to delivering the business objectives.
- Support change and drive innovation and be able to discern and select appropriate courses of action including intervention as appropriate to resolve differing views and opinions.
- Articulate direction to employees within the haulage area.
- Actively promote an environment where all employees are engaged and valued and focused on the continuous improvement of the business.
- Mentor and manage the work performance of direct report to develop capability.
- Identify, select, develop, and retain top talent within the haulage team which is required for long term planning and nationalization.
- Develop the capability and provide mentoring and coaching to team members including training.
- Ensuring robust systems are in place and operating effectively
- Recruiting, motivating and retaining the appropriate people to use the systems to achieve the objectives
- Measuring and controlling the work performance of direct reports on a regular basis
- Regularly measuring and controlling haulage performance, initiating corrective actions as required
- Reviewing short- and medium-term operating plans and strategies to ensure the activities do not compromise future value for an overall poorer return.
- Ensuring there are robust systems in place and being effectively managed by the relevant personnel which includes systems for measuring and monitoring contractor’s performance, product delivery and control of variations to the work
- Managing processes that ensure the various systems combine to constitute a unified and reliable haulage team
- Processes are in place to ensure an immediate and effective response to deal with issues
- Engaging in the business planning process and understand the implication of the plan (including budget) for the department
- Actively manage the performance of direct reports to ensure all accountabilities, including plan-related targets, are met
- Oversee, review and audit regulatory compliance
- Ensure health and safety, and environmental performance meets or exceeds company and regulatory requirements.
- Ensure all personnel operating in the mining area meet the legislative requirements and hold the appropriate qualifications.
- Actively promote proactive safety behaviours and leading by example
- Manage commercial contracts including performance of contractors and independent consultants working for the company.
- Manage processes for identifying and evaluating risks or opportunities as part of the business planning process.
- Monitor the effectiveness of the processes for recording identified material risks or improvement opportunities.
- Ensure risk management plans are regularly reviewed and management actions are delivered; and
- Address risk management as part of all material decisions taken.
About You
Qualifications & Experience
- Degree or equivalent tertiary qualifications in mining engineering.
- 15+ years relevant work experience in similar management roles, preferably in open pit or underground mining operations.
- Contractor, contracts management or commercial exposure is highly regarded
- Professional membership including ability to hold professional membership with the IEPNG.
- Previous experience operating in Papua New Guinea or developing countries in remote locations will be highly regarded.
- Computer proficiency in MS Office suite.
- Sound planning, analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Self-motivated with the ability to work under pressure and autonomously.
- Excellent attention to detail and time management skills to meet deadlines.
- Strong active listening & interpersonal skills for rapport building, conflict resolution & training
Life at K92
K92 is an Equal Opportunity Employer, our commitment is to respect the rights of every individual to work to their highest potential, free from discrimination. Our values of Collaboration, Accountability, Respect for others, Excellence and Safety are at the core of everything we do, and they are the foundation upon which our success has been built.
Our camp is well managed and provides residents with good, healthy meals made from locally sourced fresh produce as well as internet, cable tv and a gymnasium.
At K92, we want all employees to share in our success, so as well as a competitive salary, employees also participate in our long- and short-term incentive plans, we also provide employees with access to savings incentive programs, medical assistance and the option to salary sacrifice for certain expenses.
In addition to all of this, employees can also access our Wellbeing and employee assistance programs whilst working a friendly roster.
TO COMPLY WITH PNG GOVERNMENT REQUIREMENTS ALL EXPATRIATE POSITIONS ARE OFFERED ON A FIXED TERM BASIS