Contract Management Process Owner
Date: May 1, 2026
Location: Patagonia, AZ, US, 85624
Company: South32 Group Operations Pty. Ltd.
Discover a Brighter Future
At South32, we are meeting the challenge of enabling a sustainable future through our focus on responsibly producing commodities critical for a low-carbon world.
As a collaborative, caring and inclusive company, there is no better place to make a genuine difference. Together we are making a positive, global impact that has the potential to change lives.
Whatever career path you choose, we will support you every step of the way to learn, grow and succeed. So, join us, step towards a brighter future and leave your legacy.
ABOUT Hermosa
Hermosa, located approximately 75 miles south-east of Tucson, Arizona, is the only advanced mining project in the United States as of 2023 that could produce two federally designated critical minerals—manganese and zinc—as well as silver and lead. The project has the potential to help power the nation’s clean energy future, strengthen the domestic supply chain of critical minerals, grow the local economy, and improve lives in Santa Cruz County and the surrounding community for generations to come.
ACERCA de Hermosa
Hermosa, ubicado a aproximadamente 75 millas al sur este de Tucson, Arizona, es el único proyecto de minería avanzada en los Estados Unidos hasta la fecha que puede producir dos minerales designados como críticos por el gobierno federal: manganeso y zinc, así como también plata y plomo. El proyecto tiene el potencial de ayudar a impulsar el futuro energético limpio del país, reforzar la cadena de suministro nacional de minerales esenciales, hacer crecer la economía local y mejorar la calidad de vida en el condado de Santa Cruz y en las comunidades aledañas para las generaciones venideras.
WHAT SOUTH32 OFFERS
- Annual short-term incentive bonus that recognizes both your individual performance and the overall success of the business.
- When you choose to contribute more into your retirement savings, South32 will match it up to a certain percentage.
- South32 provides you with 4 weeks paid time off.
- 12 weeks full-paid parental leave for primary carers and 2 weeks full-paid parental leave for secondary carers
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Contractor Management Process Owner (CMPO), part of the Operational Readiness group, is accountable for the end-to-end ownership, governance, and continuous improvement of the Contractor Management System of Work. This role ensures the system is effectively designed, implemented, and consistently applied to support safe and compliant operations. The CMPO evaluates local business requirements, develops and maintains site-specific process documentation, and ensures alignment with the Global Process Owner and enterprise standards. They provide governance and assurance to confirm the system is functioning as intended and delivering effective risk management outcomes.
This role oversees the full process lifecycle, driving alignment with organizational policies and risk management frameworks. The CMPO ensures clarity of roles and responsibilities, maintains process integrity, and identifies opportunities for continuous improvement and standardization. Additionally, the CMPO promotes adoption, monitors performance, and supports ongoing assurance activities to ensure the Contractor Management System of Work remains effective, compliant, and fit for purpose. This position is based at the Hermosa Project site near Patagonia, Arizona.
Other key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Ensure the Contractor Management System of Work is fit for purpose designed, fully documented, and delivers value to stakeholders / customers
- Collaborate with other Critical Process Owners to align objectives, simplify our way of working, and ensure consistent engagement with the Contractor Management System of Work
- Ensure contractor management related risks and controls are identified, understood by Risk Owners, and managed within Global360. Where acting as the Risk Owner, manage risks in accordance with the South32 Risk Management Standard
- Ensure the contractor management process is clearly understood and supported by complete and current documentation, including process maps, policies, standards, procedures, and tools
- Ensure all process documentation meets defined quality expectations and that process maps are published in the appropriate document repositories as defined in the Information Management Standard
- Define the resources needed to deploy the Contractor Management System of Work, considering operational size, complexity, and outcomes of gap assessments
- Develop and maintain gap closure plans to support effective implementation of the Contractor Management System of Work
- Facilitate Change Impact Assessments (CIA) to assess readiness and develop change deployment plans
- Facilitate the integration of systems and processes across the organization to enable effective contractor management execution
- Ensure appropriate training is established to support process users in understanding and fulfilling their roles within the Contractor Management System of Work
- Develop learning solutions that improve implementation effectiveness and ensure contractor management processes are embedded
- Develop local procedures that support sustainable implementation, including defined governance arrangements
- Design and maintain a progress-tracking matrix aligned with the business plan, including KPIs to monitor site-level implementation for contractor management processes
- Periodically review and evaluate the effectiveness of the system of work to ensure it continues to meet business objectives.
- Ensure compliance with the Contractor Management System of Work is monitored, non-conformances identified, and corrective actions are tracked to closure.
- Act as the process owner and subject matter expert for governance and assurance activities related to contractor management, ensuring findings are addressed and improvements implemented.
- Govern changes to the Contractor Management System of Work, ensuring updates are risk‑assessed, approved, communicated, and implemented in a controlled manner.
- Clearly define process requirements and accountability boundaries between the Contractor Management Process Owner and Operational leaders to ensure consistent and effective execution.
- Ensure the Contractor Management System of Work covers the full contractor lifecycle, from pre‑qualification and onboarding through performance management, assurance, and off‑boarding.
- Establish feedback mechanisms to gather input from process users and contractors, using insights to improve usability and effectiveness of the system of work.
ABOUT YOU
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering field, such as project management, mechanical or mining related Engineering degree (preferred)
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a mining environment
- 3+ years experience managing contractors
- Effective communication and presentation skills (verbal & written). Must be comfortable speaking with employees at all levels of the organization
- Solid knowledge of contracts (design & construction), schedules, cost estimating and the design process
- Demonstrate a solid understanding of legal terminology
- Comfortable working as part of a multidimensional team
- Exemplify a strong attention to detail
- Possesses superior organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects with shifting deadlines
- Must have strong computer skills and knowledge of common programs aimed towards project management
- Previous experience working with contract regulations and related laws is strongly preferred
- Must possess excellent written and oral communication skills
- Capable of professionally managing confidential information
- Exemplify creative problem-solving abilities
South32 is committed to building and maintaining an inclusive and diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we operate. We provide a recruitment process that is fair, equitable and accessible for all and we encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.
South32 está comprometido a cimentar y mantener una plantilla de trabajadores diversa e inclusiva que refleje las comunidades en las cuales trabajamos. Proporcionamos un proceso de contratación que es justo, equitativo y accesible para todos y alentamos la aplicación de candidatos de todas las procedencias.
Nearest Major Market: Nogales