Operations Manager

There are three primary responsibilities in this role:

• To manage all engineering, project & contract management, production, warehousing and service activities on the Lilydale site
• To actively participate as member of the Operating Unit leadership team.
• Provide support to the Sales and Tendering teams in the pursuit of HVC opportunities.
• Interact with customers, supplying factories and local production through all phases of a project from initial enquiry to final commissioning to ensure that quality products are supplied in accordance with customer specifications.
• In conjunction with the relevant Project Engineer, manage all warranty and contract / project activities as required by customer and Hitachi Energy requirements.

Your responsibilities:

• You will lead the Project Management, Contracts Administration, Engineering, Warehouse and Production teams. Includes assigning responsibilities and tasks based on competencies, customers and availability, develop the entire team in line with Hitachi - Power Grids Group directives and processes and day to day operations responsible to deliver SQDIP (safety, quality, delivery, inventory, productivity), continuous improvement through lean six Sigma deployment, delivering cost savings targets.
• You will participate in the annual budgeting process by supporting the Operating Unit Manager and relevant controller, supervise project and contract execution and performance through regular scheduled review with management to ensure adherence to contracts. You will approve deviations (costs or technical-operational solutions) in line with delegated authority, takes an active role in escalated customer issues and determine corrective actions in order to optimize the project / contract performance.
• You will build and maintain relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, consult on revenue planning, resource planning, project execution, and other project management issues and serve as an escalation point for individual and systemic project / contract execution and technical issues and in agreement with the LPG Controller, approves projects / contracts to be closed and estimates the warranty costs where applicable.
• You will lead the team in contract / project execution making sure that procedures and standards are followed, develop and improve standard processes and ways of working by applying external best practices with internal environment and experience. You will ensure that products are designed and supplied in accordance with the customer specifications and the relevant local and international standards.
• You will cooperate with supply management in supplier selection and monitor ongoing performance, ensure that other functions (engineering/commissioning/supply chain) assign the appropriate resources and competencies for the specific project / contract. You will ensure (with HR manager support) that the area of responsibility is properly organized, staffed, skilled and directed and guide, motivate and develop direct and indirect subordinate within HR policies and oversee assessments and ensures proper certification of all team members.
• You will ensure safe working procedures and practices are followed at all times including the wearing and maintenance of assigned Personal Protective Equipment; attendance at required health, safety and environment training; report injury, incidents, hazards and near miss events, model safe work behaviors in all aspects of work and actively identify hazards and risk controls.
• You will ensure the development and maintenance of project management standards, development of professional project management skills within the team, development of engineering knowledge within the team and ensure that product and technical solutions provided to customers are in accordance with specification and appropriate technical standards and strive for operational excellence through continuous improvement utilizing the latest in LEAN principles.
• Living Hitachi Energy’s core values of safety and integrity, which means taking responsibility for your own actions while caring for your colleagues and the business.

You background:

• You hold 10 to 15 years of experience on power industry or Tertiary qualification in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering (equivalent TAFE Diploma) plus 10 to 15 years of experience on power industry.
• 5 years in electrical industry with exposure of leading large volume projects independently.
• Project Management Qualification / Certification (PMP, Diploma in Project Mgt, etc.), minimum a six Sigma green belt certified and proven experience of delivering DMAIC projects.
• Previous experience in controlling site works and/or project management.
• Experience managing projects, ideally managing complex projects and different contractual types, coordinating multiple teams in remote locations, managing a team of strong engineering professionals.
• Willingness to perform domestic and international travel in order to address project and site issues, good fault finding and problem-solving skills by use of logical thinking.
• Demonstrated experience in management of scope, cost, schedules and vendors/subcontractors.
• Knowledge of LEAN Manufacturing principles and experience in implementing LEAN projects and Hitachi Energy Project Management Process.
• You will have keen knowledge of financial reports and will be comfortable tracking project planned costs vs. actual.
• Basic finance knowledge and commercial aspects of business. Advanced computer skills including SAP knowledge or experience, Microsoft Office & MS Project, AutoCAD etc.
• Effectively plan and implement change and influence people to accept/adhere to changes made, demonstrates an interest in and understanding of others; Adapts to the team and builds team spirit; Recognizes and rewards the contribution of others; Listens, consults others and communicates proactively. Provides others with a clear direction; Sets appropriate standards of behavior, delegates work appropriately and fairly and motivates and empowers others.
• Establishes good relationships with customers and staff, builds wide and effective networks of contacts inside and outside the organization, relates well to people at all levels, makes a strong personal impression on others, gains clear agreement and commitment from others by persuading, convincing and negotiating, promotes ideas on behalf of self or others, manages conflict, makes effective use of political processes to influence and persuade others.
• Analyses numerical data, verbal data and all other sources of information, breaks information into component parts, patterns and relationships, probes for further information or greater understanding of a problem.
• Expresses opinions, information and key points of an argument clearly, responds quickly to the needs of an audience and to their reactions and feedback, projects credibility.
• Proactive and highly organized including timeliness and ability to meet deadlines and changing priorities.
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team, multi-task and be action oriented and highly flexible and demonstrable problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and high attention to detail.

Hitachi Energy is a global technology leader that is advancing a sustainable energy future for all. We serve customers in the utility, industry and infrastructure sectors with innovative solutions and services across the value chain. Together with customers and partners, we pioneer technologies and enable the digital transformation required to accelerate the energy transition towards a carbon-neutral future.

We employ more than 40,000 people in 90 countries who each day work with purpose and use their different backgrounds to challenge the status quo. We welcome you to apply today and be part of a global team that appreciates a simple truth: Diversity + Collaboration = Great Innovation.