Underground Operations Manager
About the Business
We are Australia's largest pure-play coal producer generating over $10 billion in Foreign Direct Investment; owning, operating or participating in coal mines across NSW, Queensland and Western Australia.
Moolarben Coal mine is Australia's largest thermal coal producer and has both Underground and Open cut operations producing over 21 million tpa. It has over 800 employees with employees residing in the beautiful Mudgee area, with all the facilities for a fantastic family lifestyle.
Job Tasks and Responsibilities
Reporting to the Moolarben Complex General Manager, the Underground Operations Manager is accountable for the safe, efficient and sustainable operation of the underground coal mine, delivering performance across all key site metrics.
This role plays a critical leadership function in shaping a high-performing culture, driving operational excellence, and ensuring compliance with all safety, environmental and regulatory requirements.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading and embedding a positive, proactive safety culture across underground operations
- Ensuring robust systems, standards and operational discipline are in place to support safe and efficient execution of work
- Providing mature leadership to develop capability and accountability within the workforce
- Driving productivity and cost performance while maintaining a focus on sustainability and environmental stewardship
- Identifying and implementing continuous improvement initiatives to optimise operational outcomes
- Maximising coal recovery and maintaining coal quality in line with mine plans & key metrics
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams across the complex to ensure alignment across planning, maintenance and production activities
This is a critical leadership role requiring a results-driven professional with a strong commitment to safety, people leadership and operational excellence.
Skills and Experience
About you:
You are a seasoned leader seeking an opportunity to apply your experience in a role that values mature judgement, steady leadership and long-term impact. You are motivated by the opportunity to contribute at a senior level, while positioning yourself for continued career progression within Yancoal.
Your skills, experience and attributes will include:
- Mining Engineering Manager Qualification for Underground Mining
- Demonstrated mature leadership capability, with the ability to lead through influence, build trust, and foster a respectful, values-driven culture
- Extensive experience with Underground Mine Management Systems and a strong understanding of underground mining methods and risks
- A commitment to developing people, strengthening team capability, and leaving a positive leadership legacy
- Sound knowledge of statutory laws and regulations governing underground coal mining, with relevant statutory qualifications (e.g. Mining Engineering Manager) highly regarded
- A calm, considered approach to decision-making, particularly in complex and high-pressure environments
- Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to align diverse teams and drive accountability
- A genuine desire to contribute to and grow your career within the Company over the long term
Benefits
Yancoal provides a range of benefits to appeal to the diverse needs of our employees. The following benefits are available to eligible employees:
- Salary continuance and life insurance
- Subsidised private health insurance
- Fitness Passport - discounted workplace health and fitness program
- Study assistance
- Flexible work arrangements
- Employee Assistance Program
- Access to financial education and banking discounts
- Salary packaging including novated leasing and remote area benefits
- Service recognition rewards
- Discounts program including major department stores, cinemas, restaurants
- Parental Leave
Yancoal Australia values diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from people with diverse backgrounds including First Nations people, people with disability, people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, and people that identify as LGBTQIA+.
Yancoal Australia is a Work180 Endorsed Employer and is committed to ensuring all employees can thrive in an inclusive workplace.
If this sounds like the opportunity you've been looking for, apply today and take the first step toward an exciting new journey with us!
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Yancoal will never ask you to make any payment or to provide credit card details when applying for any of our positions. If you have any concerns regarding the authenticity of communications received representing Yancoal, please email recruitment@yancoal.com.au with the subject “Fraud Query”, outlining your concern.