Project and Operational Readiness Manager

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.