Project and Operational Readiness Manager

Project and Operational Readiness Manager

The Dangote Group is one of the most diversified business conglomerates in Africa with a hard-earned reputation for excellent business practices and products' quality with its operational headquarters in the bustling metropolis of Lagos, Nigeria in West Africa. The Group's activities encompass:

Cement - Manufacturing / Importing Sugar - Manufacturing ...

View All Jobs at Dangote

Project and Operational Readiness Manager

• Job Type Full Time
• Qualification BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA , Professional Certificate
• Experience 8 - 10 years
• Location Lagos
• Job Field Project and Program Management

Job Objective

• To lead the end-to-end delivery of the production project, ensuring successful planning, procurement, installation, commissioning, and operational handover within approved scope, budget, timeline, quality, and safety standards.
• The role will also oversee post-commissioning stabilisation and performance improvement to ensure the project delivers its intended operational and business benefits.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and manage project plans, budgets, schedules, milestones, risks, and performance reports.

• Coordinate procurement activities, vendor evaluation, contract discussions, equipment manufacturing, testing, shipment, and delivery.

• Supervise site preparation, equipment installation, and civil, mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, and automation activities.

• Ensure compliance with approved engineering specifications, quality standards, food-manufacturing requirements, and HSSE policies.

• Manage project costs, contractor claims, supplier invoices, and cost-saving initiatives.

• Lead equipment testing, commissioning, trial production, technical issue resolution, and final acceptance.

• Coordinate employee training, change management, operational readiness, documentation, and handover to Operations and Maintenance teams.

• Oversee post-commissioning stabilisation and after-sales support to achieve production capacity, efficiency, quality, and cost targets.

• Drive continuous improvement, equipment reliability, waste reduction, process optimisation, and project-benefit realisation.

• Provide regular project and business-performance reports to Executive Management.

• Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Industrial Engineering, or a related discipline; a master’s degree is an advantage.

• Minimum of 8–10 years’ project management experience within engineering or manufacturing, including at least five years leading capital equipment installation or factory expansion projects.

• Demonstrated experience in equipment procurement, installation, commissioning, and operational handover within FMCG, food processing, manufacturing, or related industries.

• PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent certification is preferred; COREN registration is desirable.

Key Competencies:

• Proficiency in project management tools and reporting platforms such as MS Project, Primavera P6, Power BI, and Advanced Excel.

• Strong leadership, stakeholder management, negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to manage multidisciplinary teams, international suppliers, project risks, scope changes, and competing priorities.

• Excellent communication, adaptability, resilience, and decision-making abilities.

• Check how your CV matches this job