Plant Manager-Windfarm

Noupoort, South Africa

Market-related Package

The Opportunity

Our client, a leading international renewable energy developer and operator, is expanding its operations across Southern Africa and is seeking an experienced Plant Manager to lead the Balance of Plant (BOP) Operations & Maintenance function across a portfolio of large-scale wind projects.

This is a senior site-based leadership opportunity for an experienced energy professional with a strong background in power plant O&M, electrical infrastructure, team leadership and contractor management.The successful candidate will take overall responsibility for plant availability, operational performance, HSE, maintenance strategy and stakeholder management across multiple wind assets.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the BOP O&M team and take overall responsibility for the safe, reliable and efficient operation of multiple wind projects.

• Ensure BOP equipment is operated and maintained in accordance with contractual, PPA, O&M and project requirements.

• Develop and implement long-term plant health and asset maintenance strategies.

• Develop annual O&M plans covering both scheduled and unscheduled maintenance.

• Ensure maintenance activities are aligned with OEM requirements and industry best practice.

• Lead daily operations, planned and unplanned outages, maintenance activities and ad-hoc capital projects.

• Ensure compliance with HSE, environmental, operational and regulatory requirements, including the OHS Act, GMR and applicable grid/network codes.

• Manage, develop and mentor a large, diverse site-based team and subcontractor workforce.

• Establish a high-performance culture focused on safety, reliability, accountability and operational excellence.

• Develop and maintain SOPs, quality-control processes and operational procedures.

• Manage operational budgets and ensure effective cost control.

• Oversee BOP spare parts and inventory management to ensure critical spares are available when required.

• Ensure effective utilisation of the CMMS and oversee work permit processes.

• Source, evaluate and manage specialist contractors across electrical and civil BOP, environmental and other outsourced services.

• Manage equipment warranties and ensure warranty claims are effectively administered.

• Monitor and report on key O&M KPIs including availability, MTTR, MTBF, failure response and MTTD.

• Manage site access, security and contractor coordination.

• Maintain effective relationships with landowners, contractors, OEMs and internal and external stakeholders.

• Liaise closely with onsite turbine OEM contractors.

• Witness commissioning and performance testing where required.

• Provide operational and technical input into projects during construction handover, asset management and O&M phases.

• Support technical, HSEQ, engineering, commercial and asset management workstreams as required.

Qualifications and Experience:

• National Diploma or equivalent qualification in Electrical Engineering or a related technical field.

• A Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline will be advantageous.

• Minimum 10 years' relevant industry experience, ideally within the energy or power generation sector.

• Minimum 5 years' experience in renewable energy power plant O&M is highly advantageous.

• Strong experience in electrical infrastructure, substations and overhead lines.

• Wind energy operations and maintenance experience will be a significant advantage.

• Proven experience managing large, diverse site-based teams.

• Experience managing subcontractors, OEMs and specialist service providers.

• Strong exposure to maintenance planning, operational budgets, contracts and compliance.

• Experience working across complex, geographically dispersed or rural project environments.

Key Competencies

• Strong technical and commercial acumen.

• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making ability.

• Strong people and performance management skills.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Strong contractor and stakeholder management capabilities.

• Budget management and commercial negotiation skills.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a high-pressure operational environment.

• Strong understanding of O&M best practices and asset performance management.

• Proficiency in Microsoft 365, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams and SharePoint.

• Strong written and spoken English; additional local language capability is advantageous.

• High level of autonomy, accountability and adaptability.

• Strong intercultural awareness and conflict-management skills.

Additional Requirements

• Valid driver's licence.

• Willingness to travel regularly and work in rural project environments.

• Willingness to accept the relevant legal appointment under the SHEQ management plan and General Machinery Regulations.

• Demonstrated experience mentoring and developing junior team members.

• Experience developing competency frameworks and career paths for technical teams.