Operations Manager

1.  POSITION DETAILS:

Position Title:

Operation Manager – AVON Plant

Reports to:

Plant Manager

Department:

Operations

Closing date:

11 April 2024

2.  KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Day to day efficient management of all plant operation activities through a team of site based staff according to good utility practice, dispatch instructions, the company rules and procedures, OEM guidelines, legal, environmental, contractual and other requirements;

• Responsible for company safety rules and Permit-to-Work system and driving the safety culture

• Development of the short and long term operation strategy for the plant and the development of capable staff to support that strategy;

• Ensure the operation department staff is selected, mobilized and maintained as required;

• Determine and schedule the resources and requirements for each activity;
• Ensure that the plant meets safety, availability, reliability, efficiency, generation and budget targets. Communication with load dispatch and fuel dispatch as per Grid Code;
• Ensures reporting as per contractual and business requirement;

• Responsible for the operations QA/QC and root cause analysis program;

• Administer the safe systems of work through a computerized management program;

• Establish, implement and monitor the adherence to operations procedures and routines;

• Development, achievement and reporting of operation KPI’s and objectives in line with the Business Plan;

• Efficient management of resources, supplies and consumables while controlling the risks to the business;

• Key role in management of the plant operation aspect of all contracts, especially the O&M agreement with the Owner;

• Efficient management of resources, supplies and consumables;

• Establish, implement and monitor a detailed plant thermal efficiency monitoring;

• Prepare, control, analyse and report on the yearly and long term budget and business plan for the operation dept. to the various stakeholders through reporting KPI’s;

• Ensure reporting to all stakeholders as required;

• Coordinate operation activities with administration, maintenance, finance, and Health, Safety and Environment departments

• Establish and facilitate training programs for individual development and competence within the operation department;

• Organize performance evaluation and succession planning for key staff in the operation department;

• Adherence and active participation in establishing, implementing and executing Quality, Health, Safety and Environment policies and standards;

• Maintaining high standards of management, ethics and leadership;

• Continuously improve systems and procedures based on experience

3.  HEALTH & SAFETY:

• The Job Holder will work in a controlled hazardous environment.

Work Levels and Conditions and Risks:

• Work Level 5 (OSHA scale 1 to 6): the tasks that he performs as part of their daily work activities represent risks and are controlled by means of procedures, supervision, safety devices and HSE Teams in such a way that its non-observance that could lead to a serious accident or even death.

Exposure to Risks:

• Traffic risks, ergonomic risks;
• Risks inherent to the job of the Operations Manager while performing inspections, site visits, operations and maintenance activities, etc.

Personal Protective Equipment:

• Hard hat/safety helmet;
• Ear protection (plugs or ear muffs);
• Safety glasses;
• Safety shoes;
• Cotton work wear;
• Safety Gloves;

Recommended HPE (Health Protection Equipment):

• Ergonomic office equipment;

4.  JOB CONTEXT:

• Peakers Operations (“the Company”) operates two open cycle peaking power facilities through its O&M Agreements with the Owners of Dedisa Peaking Power Pty Ltd and Avon Peaking Power Pty Ltd;

• Dedisa Peaking Power Plant and Avon Peaking Power Plant has capacity of 342 MW and 685 MW respectively;

• The Company is fully owned by ENGIE with registered office: Block E, Lincolnwood Office Park, Woodlands Drive, Woodmead, 2191, Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa;

• The Owner Company is 38% owned by ENGIE, 25% by Mitsui, 27% by BEE SPV and 10% by BBBEE SPV;

• The projects are Independent Peaking Power Generation projects, having a 15 years Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Eskom Holdings as a single off-taker;

• The Job Holder will be based at the Facility.  

5.  MODUS OPERANDI:

• The Job Holder works as head of the operation department of the Facility and reports to the Plant Manager.

6.  COMMUNICATION AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

The Job Holder will work and communicate with:

• Internal: The Facility Manager, Finance, Administration, Maintenance, Health, Safety and Environment;
• External:

• Owner, through the O&M agreement
• Regional offices of the shareholders
• Govt. Authorities as required
• Other Contractual Counterparties, Contractors, Suppliers, Equipment Manufacturers and Vendors.

7.  FRAMEWORKS, BOUNDARIES AND DECISION-MAKING AUTHORITY:

• Operates within the approved budgetary limits and assigned authorities;
• Approves expenses incurred by team members in the course of performing their duties in accordance with the established Policies.
• Is part of the approval process for purchase orders, payments, contracts and master data as defined in the Company delegation of authorities, processes, policies and procedures

8.  JOB DIMENSIONS:

Number of staff supervised:

Approximate number of Direct Reports:

• 14

Position titles of Direct Reports:

• 4 Shift Charge Engineers
• 4 Operation Engineers
• 4 Field Operators
• 1 Plant Chemist
• 1 Assistant Plant Operator

Budget

Accountable for:

• Operation budget

9.  QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:

Essential Qualifications:

• An accredited Mechanical/Electrical Engineering degree
• Registration as Profession. Engineer an added advantage
• Relevant management qualification (MDP) is an added advantage
• Demonstrated competence at engineering level supported by relevant education and training

Experience:

• At least 10 year experience in the operation of a large power plant
• Knowledge and experience of Gas Turbine operation, v94.2 Siemens or Ansaldo units preferred.
• Leading and managing people
• Use of safe systems of work
• Use of computerized management system
• Engineering concepts and principles
• Knowledge and application of OHS Act and other relevant Safety regulations
• Interaction with purchasing, finance and accounting, maintenance, administration
• Budget control and reporting

Skills:

Behavioral:

• Drive to achieve results through himself and others
• Ability to build and work with multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary staff
• Ability to work together with the other departments in order to achieve the best result for the company
• Take ownership
• Maintains high ethics standard
• Motivation and leadership of team and individual team members
• Respects the others as well as the cultural diversity
• Seek, organize and exchange information for decision making  and problem solving
• Ability to create a climate of open communication on personal and professional issues
• Ability to work autonomously, prioritizing tasks and activities in line with business objectives
• Quality and environmental awareness and managing according to quality standards and procedures
• Innovation, vision, creativity, taking initiative, problem solving and decision making
• A pro-active approach to planning and decision making
• Ability to build effective relationships with key stakeholders

Language:

• English Language: excellent communication skills both written and verbal;
• Afrikaans/Zulu is an advantage

IT:

• Computer literate: must have a high degree of skill in Business Computing Applications such as Databases, Word Processors, Spreadsheets, PowerPoint and Enterprise Resource Planning applications (Maximo/SAP or equivalent);

10. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Adheres to the Company Policies and Procedures
• Behaves in a responsible way
• Lives the values of the company;
• Undertakes other duties as may be requested within reason.