Plant Manager

Summary The Plant Manager is responsible for all day-to-day operations, maintenance, engineering, safety, and fiscal/administrative functions of this bio-diesel facility while achieving company goals. Responsibilities include providing engineering, operations, maintenance, quality assurance & technical support related to the plant while ensuring continual process improvement, optimization & reliability. Reports to Director of Operations.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Provide coordination with various engineering services on bio-diesel processes and process/refinery systems to ensure safe, environmental compliance, process reliable, economical operation and optimal/efficient systems.
• Provide technical process expertise to plant operations, maintenance, and other groups to assure full optimization of refinery systems and processes.
• Prepare operational plans and implement production.
• Provide direction to assure all maintenance & operational requirements are achieved.
• Develop plans and process specifications for the efficient operation of new/existing.
• Identify productivity improvement opportunities to benefit plant operations. Areas of emphasis include: manufacturing cost reduction, waste handling and reduction, raw material and utility consumption/cost/supply, process reliability and capacity expansions.
• Conduct evaluations of plant operations & utility systems, screen options, identify/investigate process bottlenecks & constraints, map system capability & rank solutions through cost-benefit analyses.
• Assist with identifying improved operating and control strategies to achieve productivity objectives.
• Develop tracking programs and metrics for plant optimization and efficiency; monitor the targets against budget/expected performance.
• Assist with development of project scope, project cost estimates, funding request documents and propose an execution strategy that best matches the resources and benefits case.
• Work with the plant staff and line management to identify, communicate, and adopt best practices. Engage the operations team to identify opportunities, report the ideas, and screen/prioritize for implementation.
• Provide support for the plant process, safety, and environmental activities: implement management of change, participate in operating plant hazard review revalidations and complete action items, conduct project hazards reviews, and support permitting.
• Provide direction to staff to help troubleshoot and resolve operating and reliability problems, product/raw material quality issues.
• Oversee process safety management (PSM) activities (Process Hazard Analysis (PHA), Management of Change (MOC), Emergency Relief Design).
• Work with EHS to manage OSHA regulations/requirements, safety program initiatives/training/reporting and record-keeping compliance.
• Oversee the preparation/update of emergency plans.
• Continuously monitor facility financial economics and efficiency.
• Provide prompt, timely and accurate financial reporting as required by company policy.
• Prepare annual budgets, operating plans, and measures for operating at scheduled levels, providing justification for any variances.
• Work with accounting to review budget variances and updates schedules as necessary.
• As requested, provide guidance on proper execution of commercial contracts and assist in bringing solutions to any disagreements that may arise.
• In coordination with corporate human resources, oversee all plant personnel matters including recruiting, performance management, disciplinary issues, compensation, training, company policy compliance, and all other associated responsibilities.
• Regularly communicate with management and other company team members for exchange, consultation, guidance and required approvals.
• Maintain relations with suppliers, customers, designers, equipment manufacturers, authorities, contractors.
• Responsible for taking innovative actions to ensure good public/community relations on behalf of the facility and the company.

Requirements

• BS, MS Chemical Engineering required. Comparable engineering degree with experience in plant operations, refinery process, or biodiesel will be considered.
• Minimum 10 years of experience processing/engineering in chemicals, petroleum/refining, or petrochemicals.
• Minimum 3 years of leadership experience in a manufacturing environment of operations personnel.
• Prior experience running plant trials and conducting process plant optimization.
• Expert knowledge of chemical plant and/or refinery.
• Prior experience supporting execution of capital projects including planning spreadsheet and scope development, design, execution, and start-up/commissioning.
• Prior experience using process instrumentation and controls, in addition to simulation and modeling applications (e.g., Chemcad, ASPEN).
• Exposure to cost engineering and evaluating.
• Familiarity with PSM, process safety tools and risk analysis.
• Ability to use computer software for planning, budgeting, inventory control and database management.