Once in a Lifetime

We’re a great Australian success story, having rapidly grown to become a major player in the global lithium market. Our Pilgangoora Operation is one of the largest, hard-rock lithium operations in the world.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Manager Engineering & Maintenance is accountable for leading the Fixed Processing Plant Maintenance function, encompassing Engineering, Planning, Shutdowns, and Maintenance Execution. This role is critical in delivering cost-effective, best-practice asset management to support safe, reliable, and efficient operations.

As a key member of the Site Leadership Team (SLT), the Manager will report directly to the Head of Operations and will play a pivotal role in driving continuous improvement, operational excellence, and strategic alignment across the maintenance disciplines.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Safety

• Ensure compliance with regulatory authorities including mine regulations, electrical compliance and safety.
• Lead, guide and mentor the use of safe working procedures for maintenance operations on site.
• Demonstrated understanding and awareness of PLS Health, Safety and Environmental policies and ensure all work is carried out in accordance.
• Ensure that all activities are planned and performed in accordance with PLS Health and Safety polices.
• Report and escalate any situation, event or incident that has affected or has the potential to harm people or the environment to management.
• Support procedures and work practices aimed at preventing accidents or injuries and actively participate in PLS Field Safety Interaction program (INX and Forwood).
• Regularly audit team’s work environment and promote a high level of safety awareness.

Team Leadership & Culture

• Demonstrate strong and visible felt leadership.
• Build trusted relationships with internal stakeholders.
• Develop, lead, and mentor a collaborative team with clear objectives, targets, and strategies.
• Foster cohesion and a shared sense of purpose across sub-functions and cross-functional teams.
• Promote skills development and succession planning to support operational excellence, job satisfaction, and retention.
• Collaborate with SLT and key stakeholders to deliver strategic improvement projects.

Functional Responsibilities

• Promote the PLS Asset Management Framework and Maintenance Excellence program to support best practice maintenance.
• Ensure the efficient and effective maintenance, reliability, and availability of fixed plant assets by managing maintenance execution, engineering, shutdowns, and planning teams.
• Drive functional excellence by adhering to industry best practices, embracing new technologies, operating within budget, and maintaining the highest safety standards.
• Providing SME support across the organisation
• Monitor and drive improvement across all maintenance KPI’s (Availability, MTBF, MTTR and work management).

Budgets, Reporting & Systems

• Own the maintenance operational budget and the 5-year capital plan to support equipment replacement strategies.
• Manage costs to ensure alignment with budgetary targets.
• Ensure purchase requisitions are accurately raised, appropriately cost-coded, and that invoices are verified against quotes and PRs before approval.
• Encourage team feedback to support improvement initiatives, cost reduction, and efficiency gains.
• Evaluate opportunities to reduce department budget by reviewing tactics and labour requirements.

This is a permanent full-time role located at our Pilgangoora Operation which operates on a 4:3, 8:6 day shift FIFO roster from Perth or DIDO from the Pilbara region.

ABOUT YOU:

• Bachelor Engineering Mechanical/Electrical or Trade qualification with higher education.
• Significant experience in fixed plant maintenance within the mining industry.
• Demonstrated strong and visible leadership skills with an approachable style that enables trust with open, positive working relationships at all levels
• An excellent communicator, with strong verbal and written communication skills
• Knowledge of statutory safety requirements and strong commitment to safety and the environment
• Systematic planning skills
• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic team environment.
• Strong quantitative and qualitative analytical skills (including Excel), along with strong report writing skills and attention to detail.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Excellent remuneration package
• Short and Long-term incentive with a share options
• Novated leasing through salary sacrifice
• Health & Wellbeing Allowance
• Access to the Company’s KidsCo holiday program
• Paid Parental Leave
• Paid Community Leave
• Flexible working hours and option to work from home

WHAT WE STAND FOR

• Safety First
• Great People
• We Deliver
• One Team
• Shaping Tomorrow

PROMOTING DIVERSITY

PLS recognises that talented people come from diverse backgrounds, who can contribute to our successes in different ways.  We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and strongly recommend women and Australian indigenous people to apply.

OUR RECRUITMENT PROCESS

As part of our recruitment process, we require proof of eligibility to work in Australia, reference checks, a pre-employment medical, drug and alcohol screen and a National Police Clearance.

We respectfully request agencies not to forward unsolicited resumes unless requested.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

PLS respectfully acknowledges the Nyamal and Kariyarra People of the Pilbara, and the Whadjuk Noongar People of the Perth region who are the traditional owners and first people of these lands. We would like to pay respect to the Elders past, present and emerging for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture and hopes of the Nyamal, Kariyarra and Whadjuk Noongar Peoples.

If you are interested in learning more about PLS or registering for future opportunities, please visit our website  www.pls.com.