Responsable des Opérations et Maintenance H/F

GravitHy; Paris; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

GravitHy, based in Paris, is seeking an Operations & Maintenance Manager to ensure operational excellence from design to start-up of a new green iron plant. This role involves integrating operational and maintenance requirements into plant design and preparing for commissioning and performance testing.

The ideal candidate has at least 15 years of experience in large process plants in France, including significant roles in operations and maintenance management. Fluency in English and French is essential. GravitHy offers a dynamic work environment focused on innovation and sustainability.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years in EPC/industrial projects.
• 15 years experience as plant manager in large process plants in France.
• 15 years experience as operations manager in large process plants in France.
• 15 years experience as maintenance manager in large process plants in France.

Responsibilities

• Ensure plant design supports safe and efficient operations.
• Define the organisation and recruitment strategy for plant operations.
• Manage commissioning and start-up activities for the plant.
• Lead operations and maintenance activities post start-up.

Skills

Knowledge of HSE legislation

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Fluent in English

Fluent in French

Job description

GravitHy is an innovative French company with a global ambition to decarbonize the steel industry. Our mission is to produce large-scale, low-carbon Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) using renewable and low-emission hydrogen. We plan to build, own, and operate our first green iron plant in southern France (€2.5B Capex), with the objective of replicating this model across Europe and beyond.

About the Role

GravitHy is seeking a Operations & Maintenance Manager (F/M). Reporting to the Project Director, the Operations & Maintenance Manager plays a key role in ensuring operational excellence from the design phase through commissioning and start-up. The position is responsible for integrating operability, maintainability, reliability, and lifecycle performance requirements into the plant design, while defining and implementing the operating philosophy. The role also leads the preparation and execution of commissioning, start-up, and performance testing activities to ensure a safe and successful transition to operations.

Location: Paris for the beginning of the project, then Marseille / Fos-sur-Mer.

Key responsibilities

Contribute to project design and operational readiness

• Ensure plant design supports safe, reliable, and efficient operations and maintenance.
• Integrate operational, maintenance, safety, and environmental requirements throughout engineering and design phases.
• Participate in key design reviews and collaborate with engineering contractors, OEMs, and project teams to ensure operability and maintainability objectives are achieved.
• Define O&M requirements, including maintenance strategies, systems, tools, and workforce needs.

Prepare the plant for successful operations

• Develop the plant operating philosophy and ensure its implementation throughout the project.
• Define the organisation, recruitment, and training strategy required to support plant start-up and long-term operations.
• Build strong relationships with key stakeholders, suppliers, and local partners to support operational readiness.

Lead commissioning, start-up, and operational transition

• Prepare and manage commissioning, start-up, and performance testing activities in collaboration with project teams, contractors, and equipment suppliers.
• Ensure operating procedures, maintenance plans, and plant personnel are fully prepared for safe and successful start-up.
• Coordinate O&M readiness activities through mechanical completion and operational handover.

Drive operational excellence

• Lead plant operations and maintenance activities following start-up, ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient performance.
• Implement maintenance and asset management strategies to maximise plant availability and performance.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, operational excellence, and HSEQ compliance.

Profile

Experience

• At least 15 years in EPC/industrial projects
• At least 15 years of experience as a plant manager in a medium or large (>€200M turnover or 200 staff) process/manufacturing plant in France
• At least 15 years of experience as operations manager in a large (>€500M turnover 300 staff) process/manufacturing plant in France
• At least 15 years of experience as maintenance manager in a large (>€500M turnover 300 staff) process/manufacturing plant in France

Required skills & knowledge

• Excellent knowledge of applicable HSE legislation, regulations and practices for process plants
• Deep understanding of legislative framework around process plant operations, including experience on ICPE plants
• Fluent in written and spoken English/ French.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey information and instructions across teams and to external stakeholders.