George Ribarich
DUNCRAIG,Australia
Summary
Dynamic project manager with a proven track record at Hancock Iron Ore, excelling in operational efficiency and risk identification. Expert in data analysis and stakeholder engagement, I drive process improvements and mentor teams to achieve strategic objectives, enhancing performance metrics and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Overview
40
40
years of professional experience
Work History
Specialist Process Control
Hancock Iron Ore
West Perth
08.2018 - Current
- Demonstrated project management capability through vendor engagement in West Perth, requirement scoping, stakeholder coordination, vendor deliverable definition, and business case development with budget oversight and cost–benefit analysis.
- Serve as Control Moderator in the InControl (INX) system for the I.S. Systems team, ensuring accurate reconciliation and alignment of responses and actions to responsible personnel.
- Investigate and resolve complex IRO Control Systems and application issues using structured problem solving methodologies, including the 5P’s, Fishbone Diagrams, and 5 Whys.
- Conduct detailed root cause investigations, predominantly applying 5 Whys methodology and Fishbone analysis to identify systemic issues and prevent recurrence.
- Managed and coordinated improvements in IRO Control Room, enhancing systems and procedures while implementing follow-up actions from fault or issue resolution activities.
- Engaged proactively with subsystem controllers to identify and implement improvements across applications, systems, and controller procedural protocols.
- Develop Power BI models, reports, and dashboards, including data mining through Databricks or direct SQL queries, and creation of raw data-driven PI Vision reporting.
- Mentor and provide strategic guidance across HIO, supporting individuals and aligning stakeholders to annual business plan objectives through Operational Excellence and ADKAR methodologies.
- Facilitated team activities to enhance I.S. Systems operations.
Rail Operations Business Analyst (Contractor)
Rio Tinto
12.2017 - 08.2018
- Identified opportunities to reduce rail process cycle times—specifically ‘wait to tip’ and ‘first tip’ delays—through detailed cycle time gap analysis, enhancing overall throughput.
- Enhanced driver-controller communication processes to improve operational efficiency.
- Introduced upgraded wayside AEI tag readers at stockyard yard ingo locations, supporting smoother rail operations.
Rail Systems & Business Analyst (FIFO)
BHP Billiton
06.2010 - 11.2017
- Identified and mitigated a critical data-integrity and systems risk from an unaccounted digit increase in registered ore car numbers impacting card-reader systems and downstream data warehouses.
- Applied data-mining techniques to identify rail cycle time improvements and operational risk-mitigation opportunities through gap analysis and root-cause investigation.
- Collaborated with onsite rail operations teams to pinpoint risks and improvement opportunities within processes and systems.
- Developed and initially implemented a strategy to upskill rail staff as ‘delay accountants’ within the Perth CBD Control Centre, significantly improving downtime data accuracy in AMPLA.
Risk Analyst & IT Service Desk Support Manager
Bank West
04.2006 - 05.2010
- Lead and manage the desktop support team responsible for end-user IT support across branches, operations centers, and corporate offices.
- Oversaw day-to-day support activities, ensuring timely resolution of incidents, service requests, and escalations within SLAs.
- Ensured availability, stability, and security of end-user computing environments, including desktops, laptops, and banking applications.
- Coordinated support for core banking systems, authentication tools, and remote access, ensuring compliance with critical software requirements.
- Maintain strong adherence to security, compliance, and privacy requirements (APRA, CPS 234, internal cyber security policies).
Lead Aircraft Maintenance Engineer - Airframes and Engines
Singapore Aerospace
Perth, Australia
03.1993 - 11.1999
- Serviced engine oil by replacing used oil and oil filters per maintenance schedule to ensure optimal engine performance.
- Conducted borescope inspections to assess engine components.
- Thrust reverser inspections
- Monitored vibration levels of engines and components to identify potential issues.
- Completed maintenance release entries to certify airworthiness and compliance with regulatory standards.
- Troubleshoot reported pilot defects (tech log entries)
- Replace Line Replaceable Units (LRUs)
- Minor structural repairs (fasteners, panels, fairings)
- Replace sensors, actuators, valves
- Conduct daily, transit, and pre-departure inspections
- Check airframe surfaces for damage (dents, cracks, corrosion)
- Ensure compliance with Minimum Equipment List (MEL)
- Update maintenance tracking systems
- Scheduled Heavy Checks (A, B, C, D Checks)
- Full structural inspections
- Detailed engine inspections
- Compliance with Airworthiness Directives (ADs)
- Engine removal & installation
- Powerplant teardown & rebuild (depending on license)
- Compressor/turbine blade inspections
- Conducted performance testing on engines to assess and enhance operational efficiency.
- Service Bulletin incorporation
- Avionics integration support
- Cabin reconfiguration (structural involvement)
- Structural life-extension program
Maintenance Technician Aircraft - RAAF
Royal Australian AirForce (RAAF)
, Australia
04.1986 - 12.1992
- Performed daily, transit, and pre-departure inspections, ensuring compliance with safety standards.
- Inspected airframe surfaces for damage, identifying potential issues to ensure airworthiness.
- Ensure compliance with Minimum Equipment List (MEL)
- Scheduled Heavy Checks (A, B, C, D Checks)
- Full structural inspections
- Executed corrosion prevention and treatment procedures on aircraft surfaces, enhancing operational lifespan.
- Detailed engine inspections
- Replace sensors, actuators, valves
Education
Numerous small courses (most relevant): BI Introductory and Reporting, Ways of Working, Leadership and Influencing (multi hats)
AIM
Western Australia01-2025
Bachelor of Commerce - Major Finance & Information Technology
Murdoch University
Murdoch WA01-2004
Mechanical Fitter - Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME)
NSW Dept of Trades & Labor
Wagga Wagga, NSW01-1992
Skills
- Control systems
- Process management expert
- Data analysis
- Risk management
- Process improvement
- Operational efficiency
- Quality assurance
- Continuous improvement
- Process optimization
- Root-cause analysis
- Project management
- Change management
- Risk identification
- Performance metrics
- Key performance indicators
- Technical communication
- Troubleshooting techniques
- Vendor relations
- Business reporting
- Compliance monitoring
- Attention to detail
- Analytical thinking
- Problem solving
- Expert problem solving
- Collaboration skills
- Stakeholder engagement
- Team collaboration
- Team performance improvement
- Mentorship and coaching
- Mentoring skills
- Leadership experience
- Adaptability skills
- Communication skills
- Advanced communication
- Customer relations management
- Customer relations
- Strategic thinking
- Organizational skills
- Operational enhancement
- Adaptability skills
- Customer relations management
- Leadership experience
- Organizational skills
- Performance metrics
Accomplishments
- Personally led and managed a long project of development, rollout and change management of my organization’s standardized procedure technical information and document management system called Process Manager.
- Successfully created a large control room redeployment and new technologies vendor requirements scope.
- Completed a Power BI reporting course and developed key production KPI reports via purpose-built metrics dashboards.
- Developed documentation following ISO9001 quality management system QMS standards for a large project phase gate compliance checklist.
- Created and rolled out a health and safety project for a critical risks identification audit.
References
Provided upon notice and formal request or if already provided in covering letter.
Leadership Experience
- Actively recognize high-performing individuals and teams through Hancock Iron Ore’s recognition and rewards program.
- Promote a culture of personal development within all operational sub-system teams.
Communication Skills
- Most effective working in small groups or one-on-one, using strong diplomatic, rapport-building and influencing skills.
- Communicate authentically and clearly to engage stakeholders and ensure alignment on shared goals.
Timeline
Specialist Process Control
Hancock Iron Ore
08.2018 - Current
Rail Operations Business Analyst (Contractor)
Rio Tinto
12.2017 - 08.2018
Rail Systems & Business Analyst (FIFO)
BHP Billiton
06.2010 - 11.2017
Risk Analyst & IT Service Desk Support Manager
Bank West
04.2006 - 05.2010
Lead Aircraft Maintenance Engineer - Airframes and Engines
Singapore Aerospace
03.1993 - 11.1999
Maintenance Technician Aircraft - RAAF
Royal Australian AirForce (RAAF)
04.1986 - 12.1992
Numerous small courses (most relevant): BI Introductory and Reporting, Ways of Working, Leadership and Influencing (multi hats)
AIM
Bachelor of Commerce - Major Finance & Information Technology
Murdoch University
Mechanical Fitter - Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME)
NSW Dept of Trades & Labor