Principal Business Planner

DISCOVER A BRIGHTER FUTURE 

At South32, we’re 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’s no better place to make a genuine difference. Together we’re making a positive, global impact that has the potential to change lives.

Whatever career path you choose, we’ll 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 OUR PERTH OFFICE

South32's Perth office is based in the heart of the CBD and is a modern, for-purpose workplace designed to foster collaboration, innovation and performance. The office houses key functions including Human Resources, Finance, Investor Relations, Corporate Development, Commercial, Technical, Legal and External Affairs. Our office is conveniently located a short five-minute walk from the Perth Underground and Elizabeth Quay Train Stations.

WHAT SOUTH32 OFFERS

• 26 weeks full-paid, or 52 weeks half-paid parental leave for primary carers 
• Annual short-term incentive bonus that recognizes both your individual performance and the overall success of the business
• The opportunity to become a shareholder of South32 through our share plans
• Superannuation Contributions at 14%

ABOUT THE ROLE 

This full-time, permanent position will be at our head office in Perth.

We understand and value the benefits of flexibility, and we operate a hybrid work model that allows for a mix of in-office and remote work arrangements, both in the office and from home.

As Principal Business Planner, you will develop and maintain the Life of Operation Plan (LoOP) for assigned operated assets, ensuring alignment with South32's corporate strategy, market outlook, and portfolio priorities. You'll create integrated strategic plans that connect operational performance, commercial strategy, sustainability goals, development projects, and closure requirements into a unified, value-optimised asset plan.

Reporting to the Manager Business Planning, other key responsibilities include, but aren’t limited to: 

• Working as a strategic business planner, you'll guide the complete Life of Operation Plan development for key assets, bringing together operational insights, market intelligence, and corporate strategy to create meaningful long-term visions that generate genuine value
• In your capacity, you'll apply your expertise in cost modelling, scenario planning, and capital allocation to help shape how resources flow across operations, transforming complex financial data into clear strategic recommendations that inform decisions from production planning to major capital investments
• Drawing on your skills as a thoughtful problem solver, you'll work effectively in the dynamic space between operational challenges and strategic opportunities, helping navigate shifting market conditions and interconnected operational dependencies to find constructive pathways forward in uncertain environments
• Collaborate to align diverse stakeholder priorities across the organisation and present strategic insights to executive and operational stakeholders, fostering understanding and building consensus while nurturing positive working relationships throughout all levels of the business.

ABOUT YOU 

You will have experience and demonstrate capability in the following: 

• Demonstrating keen business acumen and strategic insight, you understand diverse organisational perspectives and anticipate needs across various departments and stakeholder groups
• Your communication capabilities enable you to engage meaningfully with stakeholders at every organisational level, from operational teams to executive leadership, consistently delivering clear and persuasive messaging
• Strong analytical acumen enables navigation of complex planning systems and technical frameworks while transforming ambiguous challenges into actionable, sustainable solutions
• Extensive background in mining, manufacturing, or comparable industrial sectors provides deep operational insight and contextual understanding that enhances strategic decision-making, with bauxite or alumina experience preferred.
• Leading multidisciplinary initiatives showcases exceptional stakeholder engagement skills while maintaining project momentum across complex organisational matrices
• Executive-level documentation and strategic presentation expertise translates technical complexities into compelling business narratives for C-suite and board audiences

Qualifications for this position are: 

• Relevant degree (mining/processing/industrial/etc engineering, accounting or business), or equivalent of qualification gained through practical experience
• Second degree or postgraduate preferred (MBA, marketing or business)

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 to all, and we encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

This job advert will close on 29 August 2025