Aftermarket Contract Manager

The Aftermarket Contract Manager is responsible for the overall management, operational performance and commercial success of Fermel's aftermarket contract at Platreef Mine, Mokopane.

Although based at Fermel's Head Office, the incumbent will be deployed to Platreef Mine as operationally required and will be responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of aftermarket services, including equipment maintenance support, technical assistance, spare parts availability, customer relationship management, contract compliance and the management of site-based personnel.

The role requires a commercially focused manager with strong technical knowledge of underground mining equipment, proven contract management experience and the ability to manage operational activities across both the mine and Head Office.

2. Key performance areas and responsibilities

2.1 Contract management and compliance

• Assume overall accountability for the effective execution and management of the aftermarket contract at Platreef Mine.
• Ensure all contractual obligations, service-level agreements (SLAs), deliverables and performance targets are met.
• Develop and implement operational plans aligned with the contractual requirements and the mine's production objectives.
• Monitor contract performance, identify operational risks and implement corrective actions where necessary.
• Manage contract variations, additional work requests and changes in contractual scope.
• Ensure accurate records of contractual deliverables, service activities, expenditure and customer correspondence.
• Identify opportunities for contract renewals, extensions and additional aftermarket business.

2.2 Site operations and technical management

• Oversee the delivery of aftermarket technical support for Fermel underground mining equipment operating at Platreef Mine.
• Coordinate preventative maintenance, breakdown support, equipment inspections and technical interventions.
• Work closely with the mine's engineering and maintenance departments to improve equipment availability and reliability.
• Monitor equipment downtime, recurring failures and maintenance trends and implement appropriate improvement initiatives.
• Ensure technical problems are escalated to Fermel's Engineering, Production or relevant technical departments when required.
• Oversee the implementation of technical modifications, product improvements and corrective actions.
• Ensure maintenance activities comply with OEM specifications, technical standards and site requirements.

2.3 Customer relationship management

• Serve as the principal operational contact between Fermel and Platreef Mine for aftermarket contractual matters.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with the mine's Engineering, Maintenance, Procurement and Operational Management teams.
• Attend contractual performance reviews, operational meetings and technical discussions with mine representatives.
• Address customer concerns, service delivery issues and contractual disputes professionally and promptly.
• Manage customer expectations and communicate operational constraints, technical recommendations and corrective actions.
• Promote customer satisfaction, long-term business relationships and opportunities for aftermarket growth.

2.4 Financial and commercial management

• Manage the financial performance of the contract in accordance with approved budgets and profitability targets.
• Monitor labour costs, overtime, travel, accommodation, consumables and other contract-related expenditure.
• Ensure all billable services, additional work, spare parts and other recoverable costs are accurately recorded and submitted for invoicing.
• Review contract profitability, revenue, expenditure and financial variances in collaboration with the Finance and Aftermarket departments.
• Identify opportunities to improve cost efficiency without compromising safety, contractual obligations or service delivery.
• Monitor outstanding purchase orders, invoicing requirements and commercial queries.
• Prepare financial and operational forecasts relating to the contract.

2.5 Human resources and personnel management

• Manage, coordinate and supervise all Fermel employees allocated to the Platreef aftermarket contract.
• Plan workforce requirements, staffing levels, deployment schedules and resource allocation.
• Oversee employee attendance, working hours, shift rosters, overtime, standby arrangements and leave planning.
• Ensure employees possess the relevant technical competencies, training and site-specific certifications.
• Conduct employee performance reviews, establish performance objectives and address underperformance.
• Ensure compliance with Fermel's HR policies, disciplinary procedures, employment contracts and applicable labour legislation.
• Liaise with the HR & IR Department regarding recruitment, employee relations, disciplinary matters, training and employee welfare.
• Promote accountability, teamwork and professional conduct among site-based personnel.

2.6 Spare parts, inventory and supply chain management

• Coordinate with Head Office, Procurement and Stores to ensure adequate availability of critical spare parts and components.
• Monitor stock levels, stock movement, consumption patterns and replenishment requirements.
• Ensure timely ordering and delivery of components required for scheduled maintenance and breakdown support.
• Manage critical spares requirements in accordance with equipment maintenance plans and contractual commitments.
• Implement measures to minimise obsolete stock, inventory discrepancies and unnecessary expenditure.
• Ensure compliance with Fermel's inventory control procedures and the mine's stores requirements.
• Coordinate component repairs, warranty claims and returns to Head Office where applicable.

2.7 Health, safety, environment and quality

• Ensure compliance with the Mine Health and Safety Act, applicable regulations, Fermel's health and safety policies and Platreef Mine's site-specific requirements.
• Ensure employees comply with site induction, medical fitness, training and competency requirements before deployment.
• Monitor compliance with safe operating procedures, risk assessments, lockout procedures and applicable safety standards.
• Participate in safety meetings, inspections, incident investigations and corrective-action processes.
• Ensure incidents, near misses, unsafe conditions and non-conformances are reported and addressed.
• Promote a proactive safety culture and ensure safety is prioritised in all operational decisions.

2.8 Reporting and performance management

Prepare and submit accurate operational and management reports to Fermel's Aftermarket Management and relevant stakeholders at Platreef Mine.

Reports must cover:

• Contract performance against agreed SLAs and KPIs.
• Equipment availability, reliability and downtime.
• Preventative maintenance compliance and outstanding technical issues.
• Breakdown trends and recurring equipment failures.
• Spare parts consumption and stock availability.
• Labour utilisation, overtime and staffing requirements.
• Revenue, contract expenditure and profitability.
• Safety performance, incidents and corrective actions.
• Customer concerns, operational risks and improvement initiatives.

Conduct regular contract performance reviews and develop action plans to address operational or financial deviations.

3. Head Office and site responsibilities

The position requires effective coordination between Fermel's Head Office and Platreef Mine.

Head Office responsibilities

Platreef Mine responsibilities

Contract administration and performance reporting

Oversee daily contract execution

Financial management and budgeting

Manage site-based personnel

Engineering and technical escalation

Engage with mine management

Procurement and supply chain coordination

Monitor equipment performance

HR and workforce planning

Ensure safety and site compliance

Strategic aftermarket planning

Address operational and technical challenges

Contract reviews and commercial management

Oversee service delivery and SLA compliance

The incumbent must be available to travel to, and remain at, Platreef Mine for periods determined by operational and contractual requirements.

• 4. Minimum qualifications and experience
• Qualifications

• National Diploma or Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics or a related technical discipline; alternatively, a recognised trade qualification with substantial relevant experience.
• A qualification in Business Management, Operations Management or Project Management would be advantageous.
• A valid driver's licence.

• Experience

• Minimum 7–10 years' relevant experience in mining equipment maintenance, aftermarket services or technical operations.
• At least 3–5 years' experience in contract management, site management or a comparable operational leadership role.
• Experience managing aftermarket service contracts within an underground mining environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing multidisciplinary technical teams, budgets, customer relationships and contractual performance.
• Previous experience working for a mining equipment OEM would be advantageous.
• Experience with underground trackless mobile machinery, equipment maintenance and mine-site operational requirements.