Project and Operational Readiness Manager

Job Objective

To lead the end-to-end delivery of the production project, ensuring successful planning, procurement, installation, commissioning, and operational handover within approved scope, budget, timeline, quality, and safety standards. The role will also oversee post-commissioning stabilisation and performance improvement to ensure the project delivers its intended operational and business benefits.

Key Responsibilities

- Develop and manage project plans, budgets, schedules, milestones, risks, and performance reports.

- Coordinate procurement activities, vendor evaluation, contract discussions, equipment manufacturing, testing, shipment, and delivery.

- Supervise site preparation, equipment installation, and civil, mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, and automation activities.

- Ensure compliance with approved engineering specifications, quality standards, food-manufacturing requirements, and HSSE policies.

- Manage project costs, contractor claims, supplier invoices, and cost-saving initiatives.

- Lead equipment testing, commissioning, trial production, technical issue resolution, and final acceptance.

- Coordinate employee training, change management, operational readiness, documentation, and handover to Operations and Maintenance teams.

- Oversee post-commissioning stabilisation and after-sales support to achieve production capacity, efficiency, quality, and cost targets.

- Drive continuous improvement, equipment reliability, waste reduction, process optimisation, and project-benefit realisation.

- Provide regular project and business-performance reports to Executive Management.

Qualifications and Experience

- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Industrial Engineering, or a related discipline; a master’s degree is an advantage.

- Minimum of 8–10 years’ project management experience within engineering or manufacturing, including at least five years leading capital equipment installation or factory expansion projects.

- Demonstrated experience in equipment procurement, installation, commissioning, and operational handover within FMCG, food processing, manufacturing, or related industries.

- PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent certification is preferred; COREN registration is desirable.

Key Competencies

- Proficiency in project management tools and reporting platforms such as MS Project, Primavera P6, Power BI, and Advanced Excel.
Strong leadership, stakeholder management, negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

- Ability to manage multidisciplinary teams, international suppliers, project risks, scope changes, and competing priorities.

- Excellent communication, adaptability, resilience, and decision-making abilities.