Project and Operational Readiness Manager

Dangote Group is one of Nigeria’s most diversified business conglomerates 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. We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Project and Operational Readiness Manager

Location: Nigeria 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.