Operations Readiness Manager

Discover a rewarding career opportunity at Kinross in the stunning rural landscapes of Washington State. Recognized for our leadership in low-impact mine development and nationally acclaimed for our reclamation and closure practices, our team has extracted ore from six different deposits in the region since 1989. Following the conclusion of mining activities in 2017, our operation now manages properties at various stages of exploration, development, care & maintenance, and closure.

Under the direction of the Project Director/GM, the incumbent will develop and drive the implementation of a comprehensive and integrated plan for return to operations of the Kettle River Mill and Curlew Basin Mine. This role is critical in achieving a smooth transition between the project delivery, commissioning, and long-term operations.

- Develop and implement a comprehensive Operations Readiness Plan aligned with project milestones and operational objectives.

- Ensure procedures, systems, training, and documentation (e.g., O&M manuals, start-up plans, permits) are in place and validated before handover.

- Support recruitment, onboarding, and training of operational staff to ensure competence and alignment with project timelines.

- Establish KPIs and readiness metrics to monitor progress of the restart and report to senior leadership and stakeholders.

- Prepare and present detailed reports on readiness assessments and recommendations for improvements.

- Perform thorough assessments and inspections of operations to ensure all systems, equipment, and personnel are ready for operation.

- Implement best practices and lessons learned from previous operations to optimize readiness and performance.

- Drive continuous improvement by capturing lessons learned and applying them throughout the restart phases.

- Deliver key operational and safety SOP's for Kinross leadership review to ensure operational readiness.

- Partner with the department leadership teams to develop schedules, employee retention and development strategies.

- Act as the key interface between the project team and the operations team to ensure seamless transition and ownership.

- Coordinate with Engineering, Construction, Commissioning, and Operations teams to ensure that all operational requirements are embedded in project deliverables.

- Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications And Skills

- University degree in Operations Management, mining engineering, or related field.

- 12 years of related work experience, with experience in leading teams within the mining industry preferred.

- Detailed knowledge of all phases of mining and processing, along with the integration of the mining, milling/processing, and maintenance functions.

- Proven experience leading readiness programs for brownfield restarts or major capital projects.

- Experience in operations readiness, commissioning, or production operations in complex industrial projects (mining, offshore oil & gas, energy, or heavy industry).

- Strong understanding of safety (MSHA) and regulatory compliance.

- Excellent stakeholder management, planning, and communication skills.

- Must be comfortable working in high-paced environments with evolving project dynamics.

- Demonstrates a commitment to safety, teamwork, and leadership under pressure.

Health, Safety, and Environmental Requirements

- Adheres to all safety and environmental considerations.

- Has a strong commitment to safe working practices.

- Wears Personal Protective Equipment at all times while in the production environment.

- Is alert and observes, corrects, and reports unsafe conditions.

- Follows operating procedures and complies with all regulatory requirements.

Kinross Leadership Practices

- Creates an environment where nothing is more important than every employee returning home safe and healthy every day.

- Creates an environment in which people are unfailingly treated with respect

- Fosters the talent and potential of all employees by enabling them to grow, develop, and make a difference in the organization.

- Demonstrates that leadership in the areas of environmental performance and community and stakeholder relations is fundamental to the way we plan and manage our business.

- Holds self and others accountable for the decisions, commitments, and behaviors required to deliver outstanding results.

- Uses judgment to manage business complexities, prioritize and balance conflicting demands to make timely decisions that best advance Kinross strategy.

- Builds and brings teams and people together to achieve organizational goals. Models’ humility by going beyond self-interest for the good of the group.

- Understands the economic implications of decisions and consistently uses all resources effectively and efficiently to maximize shareholder value.

- Relentlessly champions, develops and embeds best practices.

Reporting Relationships

Reports to General Manager and Project Director

Language Requirements

English

Compensation Data

- $160,000 - $180,000

- Completion Bonus

- Medical, dental, and vision insurance

- 401k with match

- Paid time off

- Stock purchase option

- Basic life insurance

- Short term incentive

Kinross is a Canadian-based global senior gold mining company with operations and projects in the United States, Brazil, Mauritania, Chile, and Canada. Our focus on delivering value is based on our core principles of responsible mining, operational excellence, disciplined growth and balance sheet strength. Kinross maintains listings on the Toronto Stock Exchange (symbol:K) and the New York Stock Exchange (symbol:KGC).