Senior Project Manager (FMCG, Milling, Nutrition/Mining)

SUMMARY:
Are you a seasoned project management professional who thrives at the intersection of engineering excellence, client relationships, and complex multi-million-rand project delivery? Do you have the drive to lead high-performing teams, own execution strategy from end to end, and make a lasting impact in a globally recognised industrial technology organisation?
If you answered yes, this is the role you have been waiting for.

POSITION INFO:
Our client is a leading multinational engineering and industrial technology group with a strong and established presence across Southern Africa. With a portfolio spanning large-scale capital projects, processing solutions, and complex plant engineering, they operate at the forefront of their sector. Their Johannesburg-based Engineering team plays a pivotal role in ensuring that technically demanding, multi-stakeholder projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards of quality and safety. As Senior Project Manage r, you will own the full lifecycle of allocated projects, from final negotiation and execution planning through to close-out and lessons learned. You will lead cross-functional project teams, manage cost, schedule, quality, and EHS targets, and serve as the primary relationship custodian for clients, partners, and key subcontractors. This is a leadership role with real commercial weight and direct visibility to senior stakeholders. Key Responsibilities Project Leadership & Execution (40%) Supervise final negotiations for allocated projects and define the execution strategy Ensure the project schedule baseline is signed off by all involved parties at kick-off Manage and lead the project team to achieve cost, schedule, quality, and EHS targets Prepare and conduct Project Reviews in line with the comoany's Project Management processes Risk, Change & Commercial Management (30%) Perform rigorous risk and opportunity management throughout the project lifecycle Assess, approve, and expedite change orders; define effective claim strategies for clients, partners, and subcontractors Ensure proper deviation management and escalate where necessary Apply basic commercial knowledge to assess business risks and support negotiations Stakeholder & Client Relations (20%) Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, partners, and main subcontractors Lead site briefing meetings and ensure all site-relevant documents are handed over to site personnel Liaise with the Project Management Office to implement and maintain quality operating standards Drive smooth dispute resolution and ensure customer satisfaction throughout delivery Team Development & Knowledge Management (10%) Supervise, support, and coach project team members; provide input to performance reviews Capture lessons learned and best practices; organise and facilitate debriefing sessions What You Bring Qualifications & Experience A Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in Engineering PMI Certification (advantageous; must at minimum meet all criteria to apply and obtain accreditation) Minimum 5 years' proven experience as a Project Manager or demonstrated equivalent capability Extensive knowledge of Plant principles and complex project environments Experience planning, organising, and coordinating in international project settings Basic commercial knowledge for assessing business risks and conducting commercial negotiations Multilingual capability Who You Are → A natural leader - you motivate teams, set clear direction, and hold people accountable with confidence and empathy → Commercially astute - you understand the business impact of your decisions and balance risk with opportunity → Customer focused - you build trust with clients and partners and resolve disputes with professionalism → Detail-oriented without losing the big picture - you can zoom in on a technical change order and zoom out to the project strategy → A skilled communicator - equally effective with engineers on-site and executives in the boardroom → At ease with complexity - comfortable managing multiple projects, matrix teams, and competing priorities simultaneously → Proactive and sound in judgement - you anticipate problems and act before being asked Why This Role? Join a globally recognised organisation at the cutting edge of industrial technology and engineering innovation Real ownership of complex, multi-million-rand projects with end-to-end accountability and visibility Direct engagement with senior leadership, international clients, and cross-functional teams across Southern Africa A high-performing, collaborative environment where your expertise and leadership are genuinely valued Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you do not hear from us within two weeks of the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.