At First Quantum, we free the talent of our people by taking a very different approach which is underpinned by a very different, very definite culture – the “First Quantum Way”.
Working with us is not like working anywhere else, which is why we recruit people who will take a bolder, smarter approach to spot opportunities, solve problems and deliver results.
Our culture is all about encouraging you to think independently and to challenge convention to deliver the best result. That’s how we continue to achieve extraordinary things in extraordinary locations.
Job description:
Overall Job Purpose
- The Operations Support Specialist holds a broad operational and oversight role, responsible for the day-to-day management of three critical functional areas: bussing operations, main gate security management, and operational support to the Security department
- The role carries full accountability for planning, executing, and monitoring all site bussing services delivered by contracted providers, ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient movement of employees across all routes and shift patterns.
- The role also oversees day-to-day gate operations including access control, visitor management, document control, ID card issuance, vetting procedures, and compliance with site security protocols. While the Security Operations Superintendent retains authority over the security & access control team, this role serves as the primary daily operational point of contact, managing the interface between gate operations, security personnel, and the broader site.
- The role also acts as the senior operational presence at the main gate, serving as the first point of escalation for any gate-related incidents, operational issues, or security concerns, and relaying relevant information between the gate and the onsite management team
Specific Job Responsibility
- Provides end-to-end technical and operational oversight of all site bussing activities, including scheduled employee transport, shift change movements, and ad hoc bussing requirements
- Holds full accountability for contractor-delivered bussing services, ensuring safe, reliable, and uninterrupted operations across all routes and shift patterns.
- Coordinates and manages bussing contractors, ensuring strict compliance with contracts, schedules, safety standards, and site requirements
- Verifies and validates contractor invoices against actual service delivery, route data, and contractual rates, ensuring billing accuracy and cost control.
- Manages contractor performance and KPIs using operational oversight and system-generated data, escalating non-performance as required
- Develops and implements bussing strategies aligned to shift models, headcount changes, and site operational requirements.
- Acts as the primary bussing liaison between contractors, Security, Operations, and key stakeholders, driving data-informed reporting and continuous improvement.
- Oversees the day-to-day operational management of all main gate activities, ensuring efficient, secure, and compliant processing of all personnel and vehicles entering and exiting site.
- Manages the access control team at the main gate on a daily operational basis, serving as the primary point of contact between gate security personnel and the Operations Superintendent.
- Oversees visitor management procedures, ensuring all visitors are correctly registered, vetted, escorted, and processed in accordance with site security protocols.
- Establishes and maintains a robust security framework at the gate, ensuring consistent application of access control standards across all shifts and personnel.
- Acts as the senior operational authority at the main gate for any operational issues, security concerns, or escalations, relaying relevant information to the onsite management team.
- Serves as the daily operational point of contact for the Security Superintendent in relation to all main gate security activities, access control, and gate-based incidents.
- Assists in the verification and management of gate pass signatories, ensuring all authorizations are current, valid, and correctly documented.
- Oversees and manages searching procedures at the main gate, ensuring all searches are conducted in accordance with approved site protocols, legal requirements, and dignity standards.
- Manages the declaration process at the gate, ensuring accurate completion, verification, and filing of all declaration documentation.
- Supports the review, development, and implementation of new and updated searching procedures, declaration processes, and access control protocols.
- Maintains document control standards for all gate-related security documentation, ensuring records are accurate, accessible, and audit-ready.
Job Specific Competencies
- Strong technical and operational understanding of transport, bussing logistics, and access control within an industrial or mining environment.
- Proven ability to manage multiple contractors and coordinate complex, multi-functional operations simultaneously.
- Solid knowledge of contract management, compliance, governance, and performance monitoring systems.
- Thorough understanding of security access control principles, gate management procedures, and site security frameworks.
- Experience in using transport monitoring technologies (e.g., GPS tracking, in-cab systems, and clocking tools) to support decision-making and oversight.
- Strong risk awareness with the ability to make sound, timely decisions under pressure.
- Well-developed planning, coordination, and organisational skills across multiple functional areas.
- Effective communication and stakeholder engagement across multiple levels, including security personnel, contractors, and senior management.
- High level of integrity, professionalism, and discretion, particularly in relation to sensitive security and access control matters.
Key Job Attributes
- Strong sense of ownership across all functional areas
- Decisive, calm, and practical in problem-solving, including during high-pressure security situations
- Detail-oriented with a strong compliance and data-driven mindset, particularly in relation to documentation, access records, and contractor billing.
- Able to work independently while effectively leveraging monitoring systems, operational controls, and security protocols.
- Trustworthy and capable of managing sensitive, confidential, and high-risk access and movement information.
- Strong safety and security focus, with a zero-tolerance approach to non-compliance at the gate or in bussing operations.
- Adaptable and solutions-focused, with the ability to manage competing priorities across bussing, gate operations
Experience required to perform in this job
- Minimum 5+ years' experience in transport operations, security operations, access control management, or contractor management, with both operational and systems exposure.
- Proven experience overseeing large-scale contract operations, preferably in mining or industrial environments.
- Demonstrated experience managing main gate or access control operations, including visitor management, ID issuance, and document control.
- Demonstrated experience managing multiple contracted service providers, including performance and compliance oversight.
- Hands-on experience with monitoring systems (e.g., GPS tracking, in-cab monitoring, fuel management, and clocking systems)
Qualifications
- Grade 12 Full Certificate with a minimum of 5 passes
- Degree in Transport Management, Logistics, Operations Management, Security Management, or a related operational field
- All qualifications need to be certified by ZAQA
Preferred
- Certification or training in security operations or access control management
- Technical certification or training in monitoring systems, fleet management technologies, or data analysis will be an advantage
- Additional training in contract management, safety, risk management, or document control
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