Contracts Manager

Job description

Role Purpose

Own the full commercial lifecycle of Nico Chrome Kookfontein open‑cast mining contract.

Drive profitability, cash flow, compliance, and client satisfaction by converting scope into executable plans, managing risk, ensuring accurate measurement and billing, and supporting operations to deliver safely, on time, and at the agreed quality.

Key Outcomes

1. Contracts deliver to budgeted margin and positive cash flow with transparent cost controls and zero unapproved scope creep.
   
   
2. Invoices are right‑first‑time and paid on time; all variations, price adjustments, and claims are substantiated and recovered.
   
   
3. Contract KPIs (production, availability, safety, quality) are tracked and met; improvement actions are agreed with clients.
   
   
4. Commercial governance (reporting, audits, compliance) is embedded and passes internal / client / third‑party reviews.
   
   
5. Strong client relationships result in repeat work, extensions, and referenceability.
   
   

Core Responsibilities

1. Contract & Commercial Management

   Interpret contract terms and build a compliance matrix and obligations register.
   
   

   Lead monthly valuations and certification: confirm measured quantities (bcm / tonnes / ROM feed), equipment hours, and KPI‑linked payments.
   
   

   Prepare and negotiate variations, early warnings, compensation events / claims, and rate reviews; maintain a live change register.
   
   

   Administer bonds / guarantees, insurance, penalties / bonuses, and price escalation formulas.
   
   

   Chair commercial meetings with clients; issue minutes, action logs, and cost / revenue dashboards.
   
   

   Manage subcontractor agreements (load & haul overflow, crushing & screening, civils): scope, rates, induction, performance, and payment certification.
   
   

2. Cost & Financial Control

   Build and maintain contract budgets (P&L), resource schedules, and forecast S‑curves (cost, revenue, cash).
   
   

   Track daily cost drivers (fuel, tyres, wear parts, explosives, plant hours, overtime); investigate and recover variances.
   
   

   Manage working capital: WIP, accruals, retentions, receivables; escrow overdue debt; align to group finance calendar.
   
   

   Approve purchase orders within delegated authority; drive on‑contract buying and inventory control to reduce leakage.
   
   

3. Operational Enablement & Planning

   Translate scope into executable plans with Ops and Technical Services: pit / strip plans, fleet mix, shifts, and maintenance windows.
   
   

   Align production targets with plant capacity and haul distances; test scenarios for ramp‑up, seasonal constraints, and contractor interface points.
   
   

   Ensure measurement systems and grade‑control procedures support accurate billing and minimal dilution.
   
   

4. Safety, Health, Environment & Quality (SHEQ)

   Embed the companys safety culture and critical controls; ensure commercial practices support safe production (no unsafe cost‑cutting).
   
   

   Ensure all commercial decisions and subcontractor controls comply with MHSA, MPRDA, NEMA and client standards, as well as ASPASA audits where applicable.
   
   

   Support incident cost capture, claim recovery, and continuous improvement actions.
   
   

   Align quality controls for crushing & screening outputs to client specifications.
   
   

5. Client & Stakeholder Management

   Act as primary commercial contact; provide transparent reporting, early warnings, and solution options.
   
   

   Engage with community, enterprise development, and local procurement commitments included in contract terms.
   
   

6. People Leadership

   Provide training on contract reading, measurement, cost control, and systems (ERP / dispatch / survey).
   
   

   Foster teamwork with Ops and Maintenance; create a one contract, one plan culture.
   
   

7. Governance & Reporting

   Maintain complete, audit‑ready records: correspondence, registers, diaries, measurement files, and photos.
   
   

   Submit weekly and monthly packs: production vs plan, cost KPIs, revenue, claims, cash forecast, and risk heat‑map.
   
   

   Prepare EXCO summaries and contribute to annual budgets and reforecasts.
   
   

Chrome‑Specific Priorities (Open‑Cast)

• Selective mining & dilution control: enforce dig lines, bench discipline and grade control to minimise ore loss / contamination.
  
  
• Moisture & sizing: coordinate crushing / screening settings and stockpile designs to meet plant / spiral requirements.
  
  
• Haul & ROM management: reduce double‑handling and queueing; manage stockpile segregation by grade / spec.
  
  
• Water & dust: price and control water carts, sprays, and dust suppression to meet environmental and community commitments.
  
  

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Contract margin vs budget; EBIT per contract; cash conversion cycle; WIP accuracy.
  
  
• Recovery rate of variations / claims (% approved and billed within target days).
  
  
• On‑time, right‑first‑time invoice certification (%).
  
  
• Production to plan (tonnes / bcm), equipment availability / UT, and cost per moved tonne.
  
  
• Safety: TRIR, critical control verification, close‑out of actions; environmental compliance (zero major findings).
  
  
• Client satisfaction (survey / NPS), contract extensions / renewals, and dispute‑free months.
  
  

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree / Diploma in Quantity Surveying, Commercial / Contract Management, Mining Engineering or equivalent.
  
  
• 8‑12+ years commercial / contract management in open‑cast mining; chrome experience a must.
  
  
• Proven track record running site contracts (load & haul, drill & blast, crushing & screening).
  
  
• Demonstrated success recovering variations / claims and improving cash flow.
  
  
• Valid drivers licence; medically fit for site work.
  
  

Behavioural Competencies

• Integrity, fairness, and safety leadership.
  
  
• Analytical, data‑driven decision‑making; high attention to detail.
  
  
• Influencing and negotiation; confident client engagement.
  
  
• Resilience under pressure; prioritisation across multiple contracts.
  
  
• Coaching mindset; builds capable, diverse teams.
  
  

Compliance & Governance (South Africa)

• Ensure contract execution complies with relevant legislation and standards, including but not limited to: Mine Health and Safety Act (MHSA) and associated regulations.
  
  
• Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) and Mining Charter commitments embodied in contracts.
  
  
• National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) obligations captured in EMP / EMPrs and licence conditions.
  
  
• POPIA for handling client / site data; COIDA; applicable explosives regulations and permits.
  
  
• Support internal / external audits (client, ASPASA / ISO‑aligned, and regulatory) and close out findings.
  
  

Working Conditions

Site‑based, shift‑supportive role with regular travel between pits, plants, and client offices.

Exposure to dust, noise, heat, and heavy equipment; strict PPE and fit‑for‑work standards apply.

After‑hours availability during critical shutdowns, or month‑end.

Required Skill Profession

Operations & Business Administration