Biochar Production & Plant General Manager

Robinson Lumber Company, Inc.; Alexandria (LA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Groundbreaking facility leadership

Direct leadership access to founder

Green energy and carbon tech focus

Job summary

Robinson Carbon is seeking a Plant General Manager to lead our biochar production facility in Alexandria, Louisiana, from commissioning through steady-state production. You will own the site P&L, oversee safety, production, quality, staffing, and budget, and serve as the senior operating leader on the ground.

The role demands 7+ years in manufacturing leadership, experience with continuous or batch processes, and a track record of building high-performing teams.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in manufacturing or industrial leadership.
• Experience running a continuous-process or batch facility preferred.
• Proven ability to build and lead a multi-functional team.

Responsibilities

• Own overall accountability for site safety, production, quality and cost.
• Hire, train, and develop Production Lead, Process Engineer, Maintenance Tech, and Reactor Operator.
• Set production targets and operating budget; monitor performance and adjust as needed.
• Ensure compliance with EHS regulations and environmental permits; drive incident investigations.
• Partner with leadership on capacity expansion and capital projects.
• Coordinate with Carbon Science, Strategy, and Systems Engineering on site scaling.

Skills

Leadership

P&L ownership

Safety & compliance

Budgeting

Team building

Operations excellence

Startup mindset

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Job description

Robinson Carbon is hiring a Plant General Manager to lead our biochar production facility in Alexandria, Louisiana from the ground up. You'll own the full P&L for the site — safety, production, quality, staffing, and budget — and be the senior operating leader on the ground as we scale from commissioning into steady-state production. We're a lumber company that got into biochar because we know wood, know biomass, and know how to run a plant; we're looking for someone who can build the team and the operating discipline that takes this facility from first production to a reliable, scalable business.

Key Responsibilities

• Plant Leadership: Own overall accountability for safety, production, quality, and cost at the Alexandria facility; set the operating rhythm for the site and hold the leadership team accountable to it
• Team Building: Hire, train, and develop the Production Lead, Process Engineer, Maintenance Technician, and Reactor Operator team; build a plant culture centered on safety and operational discipline
• Production & Budget: Set annual production targets and operating budget; track performance against both and course correct as the plant scales
• Safety & Compliance: Ensure the site meets all EHS, environmental permit, and regulatory requirements; lead incident investigations and drive toward a zero-incident operation
• Capital Projects: Partner with company leadership on capacity expansion, new equipment commissioning, and capital investment planning for the site
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Work with Robinson Carbon's Carbon Science, Strategy, and Systems Engineering functions to align plant operations with credit registration, buyer commitments, and company-wide scale-up plans
• Reporting: Report site performance — production, safety, quality, and cost — to Robinson Carbon leadership on a regular cadence
• Community & Regulatory Relations: Serve as the plant's primary point of contact with local officials, permitting agencies, and the surrounding community

Requirements & Qualifications

• Experience: 7+ years in manufacturing or industrial plant leadership, including at least 3 years in a plant manager or general manager role
• Industrial Background: Experience running a continuous-process or batch industrial facility preferred (biochar, pyrolysis, wood products, chemicals, or similar heavy industrial environment)
• Leadership: Proven track record building and leading a multi-functional plant team, including hourly and salaried staff
• Safety & Compliance: Working knowledge of EHS regulations and environmental permitting for an industrial facility
• Business Acumen: Comfortable owning a plant budget and P&L, and communicating performance to senior leadership
• Startup Mindset: Experience standing up a new facility or production line is a strong plus
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Operations, or a related field preferred, or equivalent hands‑on experience
• Travel: Occasional travel to support other Robinson Carbon sites and corporate meetings

What We Offer

• The opportunity to lead a first-of-its-kind facility from commissioning through scale-up
• Direct partnership with Robinson Carbon's founder and leadership team in shaping the company's operating model
• A chance to lead at the forefront of green energy and carbon sequestration technology