Our client is delivering a first-of-its-kind minerals processing facility in North Queensland, supporting the advancement and commercialisation of critical minerals. As the project transitions from construction into commissioning and early operations, they are seeking an experienced Operations Manager (Owner's Representative) to act as the owner's on-site representative and oversee operational governance, stakeholder coordination and readiness activities.

About the Role

This is a site-based position in Townsville, working at the centre of a brand-new processing facility as it moves toward commissioning and operational readiness.

Unlike a traditional Plant Manager role, this position is not responsible for running the plant day-to-day or managing operational teams. Instead, you will act as the owner's representative, working closely with the contracted operator, suppliers, customers and stakeholders to ensure the facility operates safely, reliably and in line with the owner's expectations.

This role is ideally suited to someone with strong stakeholder management, governance and operational assurance capability, coupled with the technical credibility to engage with complex processing operations and challenge outcomes when required.

Key Responsibilities

- Represent the asset owner on-site and oversee operator performance
- Establish and maintain operational governance and assurance frameworks
- Coordinate commissioning readiness, campaign readiness and early operations activities
- Monitor operational performance, KPIs, incidents and corrective actions
- Provide oversight of safety systems, critical controls and high-risk activities
- Maintain governance over Management of Change (MOC) and asset configuration
- Support strategic asset reliability and lifecycle management initiatives
- Act as the key interface between operators, suppliers, customers, contractors and government stakeholders




- Prepare executive briefings, recommendations and operational reports
- Support procurement, contracts and commercial service delivery activities

About You

- Experience within minerals processing, resources, energy, chemicals, heavy industry, infrastructure or other complex industrial environments
- Exposure to commissioning, start-up, operational readiness or facility transitions
- Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management capability
- Proven ability to influence outcomes without direct line authority
- Experience in operational governance, assurance, asset management and Management of Change (MOC)
- Strong understanding of maintenance planning and asset management systems such as SAP or similar CMMS platforms
- Comfortable operating in an ambiguous, first-of-its-kind environment where priorities continue to evolve
- Previous Owner's Representative, Operational Assurance, Asset Management or Governance experience will be highly regarded

What's on Offer

- Opportunity to shape a brand-current processing facility during commissioning and early operations
- Unique owner-side role focused on governance, assurance and stakeholder leadership
- Significant autonomy and influence without direct operational management responsibilities
- Potential relocation support available for interstate candidates
- 38-hour work week (Monday-Friday)
- AO8 Level, approximately $100/hr + super
- Long-term project through to June 2028
- Backing of a major Queensland Government initiative

At Chandler Macleod, we are committed to fostering a diverse workforce where everyone is welcome. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, women, neurodiverse, people living with a disability and the LGBTIQA+ community.

You can read more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion at https://www.chandlermacleod.com/diversity-and-inclusion.

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📌 Operations Manager (Owner's Representative) (Townsville City)
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