Manager Project Technology

About South32

South32 is a globally diversified mining and metals company. Our purpose is to make a difference by developing natural resources, improving people's lives now and for generations to come. We are trusted by our owners and partners to realise the potential of their resources. We produce bauxite, alumina, aluminium, metallurgical coal, manganese, nickel, silver, lead and zinc at our operations in Australia, Southern Africa and South America. With a focus on growing our base metals exposure, we also have two development options in North America and several partnerships with junior explorers around the world.

Following the acquisition of Arizona Mining, South32 is the new owner of the Hermosa Project, a high-grade zinc, lead and silver development option in Arizona.

South32's purpose is to make a difference by developing natural resources, improving people's lives now and for generations to come. We work closely with their host communities to create enduring social and economic value through local employment, infrastructure and facilities development and community investment programs.

This role will be based in the Tucson, Arizona office, but offers a hybrid work plan.

The Role

This role has four core focus areas:

• Digital Technology Design for Greenfield Projects: This role will give strategy and direction to the Hermosa Project team to study, pilot, and promote innovative technology platforms focused on improving decision support and automation, operational excellence, effective data management, and change management. This role will leverage digital technologies, such as AI, data analytics, and automation. In addition, this role will be responsible for developing a methodology and processes to establish priorities and execute various initiatives in the pursuit of delivering the vision of a "Next Generation Mine."
• Enable the Hermosa Project to deliver new levels of performance, profitability, and sustainability: The Practice Lead Digital role is responsible for managing and bringing strategies and direction for technology solutions and platforms to Hermosa to increase operational excellence. Develop a digital technology roadmap to implement industry and emerging standards from a technology and innovation perspective. Share learnings with other South32 sites.
• Digital Strategy Execution (as and when required): The scope of this role is focused on the Hermosa project and will lead Digital Technology programs of work through the various project phases (Feasibility, Execution, and Operation) to execute the strategies and direction developed in the previous focus areas. This role will have a dotted reporting line to the South32 Technology team.
• Digital Champion: Be the Hermosa Project's principal digital champion by driving cultural change around the enabling power of digital and mobile technology to help Hermosa and South32 achieve its strategic aims. Provide industry direction strategic solution advisory and expert consultation to support co-innovation, enterprise transformation, and business process improvement activities.

Accountabilities ( Include but are not limited to) :

STRATEGY & PLANNING

• Contribute to the formulation of the Greenfields Technology vision, plan, and strategy, with a focus on identifying the opportunities for innovation in digital technology for the Hermosa Project, considering the short, medium, and long-term horizons.
• Understand the Hermosa Project's strategies, value drivers, and goals and work with the Technology team to translate them into technology requirements and actionable mining technology projects in relation to new products and platforms that can increase the net present value or reduce risks for Hermosa and other new ventures.
• Together with the broader technology team members, support the development of project and delivery practices that enable piloting and prototyping at Hermosa and other South32 operations in the context of future application at a Greenfield Project.
• Development of mine-to-market value chain map with the project teams to ensure the application of technologies are focused on the key drivers of value.

CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT

• Engage and foster close working relationships with the technology team, Project teams, and other key specialist stakeholders across South32 to understand the business drivers and demand for innovation.
• Maintain a strong understanding of the technology programs supporting the Hermosa Digital Strategy.

INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY FOR GREENFIELD PROJECTS

• Responsible for driving the digital strategy supporting technology and innovation focused on Hermosa.
• Support best practices and process implementation that enable people to contribute innovative ideas from across the organization.
• Support and contribute to the ongoing development of processes and practices so that ideas generated internally and externally are effectively and consistently evaluated and advanced for further development.
• Promote open innovation and introduce project tools and processes that encourage creative thinking, such as idea generation platforms, jam sessions, hackathons, and internal and external crowdsourcing for the benefit of South32.
• Ensure data gathered from idea-generating activities is captured and analyzed in conjunction with research, market analysis, and business planning.

TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT

• Work closely with technology partners and external research institutes to develop emerging digital mining technologies that can materially improve the outcomes of new projects
• Follow best practices in the strategic direction of technology programs, including architecture and standards, in the alignment of organizational strategic goals with consideration to safety, productivity, and cost.
• Follow business processes with regards to benefit realization and tracking business value from technology investments in projects through transparent total cost of ownership (TCO) modeling as well as detailed input to the major projects' valuation models
• Identify and build strategic relationships with key vendors and suppliers that bolster and support our internal capabilities in the identification and development of novel technologies applied to greenfield projects
• Work in collaboration with the Greenfield Technology team and study teams to integrate new mining technology development with a whole of value chain mindset.
• When required, lead programs of technology work to deliver Pre-feasibility and Feasibility Studies and Execution.

ANALYTICS

• In collaboration with the Greenfields Technology team and the broader Technology Team SME's, leverage South32 Data platforms through the development of relevant visualization dashboards and applications that enable the effective use of data for decision making
• In collaboration with the Greenfields Technology team and the broader Technology Team SME's, manage the inclusion of chosen advanced analytics and artificial intelligence tools that integrate with operational technology and control systems into new projects
• In collaboration with the Greenfields Technology team and the broader Technology Team SME's, assess new developments and disruptions in the analytics and big data disciplines focusing on greenfield developments, and identify potential cooperation alliances with key players in the industry.

Qualifications, Skills, and Expertise:

• Tertiary Degree in engineering, computer science, or related discipline. Post-graduate qualifications (MBA, M.Eng, Ph.D.) desirable.
• Resource Management:
  • Self-directed with the ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment and aggressively drive project milestones to successful completion and ability to manage large workload, multi-task, focus on critical priorities, and produce high-quality work under deadline pressures.
• People Management:
  • Demonstrated ability to lead, manage, and engage a multi-function team, manage change and operate in an environment that promotes excellence.
  • Demonstrated ability to mentor and support staff across a range of complex projects in a manner that supports the delivery of South32 Greenfields' strategic outcomes.
• Financial Skills & Acumen
  • High degree of commercial acumen and strong sense of accountability.
  • Demonstrated comprehensive skills in developing and managing budgets for the delivery of programs/portfolio of activities.
• Technical Knowledge & Experience:
  • Demonstrated experience embedding new digital and technology practices across an organization that enables core digital teams to focus on more specialist tasks.
  • Evidence of professional achievement in technology system transformation projects.
  • Experience leading large, strategic global initiatives with significant influence globally
  • Experience in leading large programs of work through study and execution phases
• Project Management:
  • Proven acumen to handle complex situations and multiple responsibilities.
  • Lead and inspire the core delivery team to ensure the technical, operational and strategic digital needs are met.
  • Collaborate to develop the business cases for technology and digital initiatives.
• Innovation & Initiative:
  • Building and developing simple and powerful business focused solutions.
  • Extensive experience of working with creative and technical development of existing and emerging digital solutions and technology to tackle key organization problems.
  • Demonstrated ability for innovative and creative solution creation, across complex issues that may impact the whole of South32.
  • Proven ability to work collaboratively within a high functioning leadership team which values innovation and creativity.

Our Culture

At South32, our people are fundamental to our success. We're focused on creating an inclusive workplace, with the right people in the right roles, who are engaged, empowered and appropriately rewarded.

We aspire to be an inclusive organization, where our workforce reflects the broader demographic of the countries and communities where we operate.

South32 embraces diversity and encourages applications from people of all backgrounds.

Nearest Major Market: Tucson