Project Overview
ASARCO has embarked on a multi-year expansion of its Concentrator and Tailings Storage Facility, representing a multi-billion-dollar capital investment in the future of our operations. Initiated in 2024 and continuing through 2030, this transformative program includes feasibility studies, detailed engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, startup, ramp-up, and final project closeout.
This expansion presents a unique opportunity to play a key leadership role in one of the mining industry's most significant growth projects, helping ensure a seamless transition from project delivery to safe, efficient, and sustainable operations.
Position Summary
ASARCO is seeking an experienced and strategic Operational Readiness Manager to lead all operational readiness activities associated with the successful startup and transition of the expanded Concentrator and Tailings Storage Facility into full operational status.
Reporting directly to the Project Director, the Operational Readiness Manager will serve as a key member of the Owner's Project Team, collaborating closely with engineering, construction, commissioning, operations, maintenance, supply chain, information technology, and external partners. This role is responsible for ensuring that the organization's people, processes, systems, facilities, and governance frameworks are fully prepared to support safe, reliable, and efficient operations from day one.
The ideal candidate will bring extensive processing plant experience, strong cross-functional leadership skills, and a proven track record of guiding large-scale industrial or mining projects through commissioning, startup, and operational handover.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement the overall operational readiness strategy for the Concentrator and Tailings Storage Facility expansion project.
- Establish readiness criteria, milestones, acceptance gates, and performance measures to support project execution and successful operational transition.
- Create and manage comprehensive readiness plans aligned with project schedules and commissioning activities.
- Coordinate and execute operational readiness initiatives supporting plant commissioning, startup, and ramp-up activities.
- Facilitate operational readiness reviews, workshops, risk assessments, and stakeholder alignment sessions.
- Conduct readiness assessments to verify that facilities, equipment, systems, processes, personnel, and documentation are prepared for startup.
- Develop and oversee go-live checklists, operational handover plans, and transition management processes.
- Partner with project teams, concentrator operations, mining operations, maintenance, engineering, procurement, and IT teams to ensure operational requirements are identified and achieved.
- Monitor readiness progress, identify gaps, manage risks, and implement mitigation plans to maintain project objectives.
- Ensure standard operating procedures (SOPs), work instructions, policies, and supporting documentation are developed, reviewed, approved, and implemented.
- Identify staffing, organizational, and resource requirements necessary to support startup and sustainable operations.
- Coordinate the development and delivery of training programs and verify workforce competency and readiness.
- Validate that maintenance strategies, inventory requirements, operational systems, and support functions are established and functioning effectively.
- Serve as the central point of coordination for operational launch and commissioning readiness activities.
- Promote a strong culture of safety, compliance, operational discipline, and continuous improvement.
- Provide operational support and guidance during startup and early operational phases to ensure a successful transition to steady-state operations.
- Perform other duties as assigned in support of operational readiness objectives.
Minimum Qualifications
Option 1
- Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering or a related technical discipline.
- Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in processing plant operations, major capital projects, commissioning, startup, and operational readiness.
Option 2
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Minimum of 20 years of relevant experience in processing plant operations, project execution, commissioning, startup, and operational leadership.
Required Competencies
- Demonstrated experience supporting large-scale capital projects through commissioning, startup, and operational handover.
- Strong knowledge of concentrator and mineral processing plant operations.
- Proven ability to lead and coordinate cross-functional teams in complex industrial environments.
- Thorough understanding of operational readiness methodologies, commissioning practices, and startup planning.
- Knowledge of safety management systems, maintenance strategies, and operational governance frameworks.
- Strong project management, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders in a dynamic project environment.
- Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and project management tools.
- Strong commitment to safety leadership, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in copper or base-metals mining operations.
- Familiarity with concentrating, hydrometallurgical, or tailings management processes.
- Experience working within EPC or EPCM project delivery environments.
- Experience implementing enterprise asset management (EAM) or computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS), such as SAP PM, Maximo, or similar platforms.
- Knowledge of industry-standard operational readiness and asset transition frameworks.
- Experience supporting the startup of new facilities, plant expansions, or major brownfield capital projects.
- Professional Engineering (PE) designation or Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is considered an asset.
Why Join ASARCO?
- Play a leadership role in one of the company's largest capital expansion projects.
- Influence the successful startup and long-term performance of critical processing infrastructure.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across engineering, construction, operations, and maintenance.
- Help shape the future of ASARCO's operations through operational excellence, safety, and innovation.
ASARCO LLC provides equal opportunity for all individuals without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, military status, familial status, or any other characteristic(s) protected by local, state, or federal law(s).
Candidates must possess a current and valid driver’s license. Offers of employment are contingent upon a successful criminal background check and pre-employment physical including a drug screen.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering or a related technical discipline, plus at least 15 years of progressive experience in processing plant operations, major capital projects, commissioning, startup, and operational readiness.
- Alternatively, a high school diploma or equivalent plus at least 20 years of relevant experience in processing plant operations, project execution, commissioning, startup, and operational leadership.
- Experience supporting large-scale capital projects through commissioning, startup, and operational handover.
- Knowledge of concentrator and mineral processing plant operations.
- Experience leading and coordinating cross-functional teams in complex industrial environments.
- Knowledge of operational readiness methodologies, commissioning practices, and startup planning.
- Knowledge of safety management systems, maintenance strategies, and operational governance frameworks.
- Strong project management, organizational, problem-solving, communication, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and project management tools.
- Current and valid driver’s license.
- Experience in copper or base-metals mining operations.
- Familiarity with concentrating, hydrometallurgical, or tailings management processes.
- Experience in EPC or EPCM project delivery environments.
- Experience implementing EAM or CMMS platforms such as SAP PM or Maximo.
- Knowledge of industry-standard operational readiness and asset transition frameworks.
- Experience supporting startup of new facilities, plant expansions, or major brownfield capital projects.
- Professional Engineering designation or Project Management Professional certification.
Asarco Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Asarco and has not been reviewed or approved by Asarco.
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Affordable Benefits — Benefits are positioned as “low-cost,” and there are indications of reduced employee health-care contributions for covered roles. Time-off enhancements are also described as part of recent agreement changes, improving total rewards value for some groups.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) plan with a company match is described as part of the standard package. Match levels are portrayed as potentially strong, though details appear to vary by role or contract.
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Pay Growth & Progression — Material wage increases are described under a newly ratified multi-year union agreement, with large raises reported for some job categories. This suggests improved near-term earnings trajectory for employees covered by the latest contract.
Asarco Insights
What We Do
Grupo Mexico is a transnational mining company with operations in the U.S., Mexico and Peru. ASARCO (American Smelting and Refining Company), the U.S. based subsidiary of Grupo Mexico, is an integrated copper mining, smelting and refining company with approximately 1,700 employees. The company operates three mines, associated mills and smelter in Arizona and a refinery complex in Texas, which includes plants that produce copper cathode & rod.
