Manager Operations - Generation

NiSource Inc.; West Wheatfield Township (PA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

NiSource Inc. in Pennsylvania seeks a Manager Operations - Generation to lead daily power generation facility operations and maintenance, focusing on safety, regulatory compliance, and reliable electricity production.

You will oversee budgets, coordinate across maintenance, planning, engineering, and dispatch, and guide staff to improve performance and efficiency.

This role requires strong leadership, analytical skills, and the ability to manage multiple initiatives in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in heavy industry, electric generation, or related field.
• 3+ years leading a team in heavy industry.
• Willingness to support 24/7 operations including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Ability to motivate teams and drive continuous improvement.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and data-driven decision making.
• Excellent communication and negotiation with internal and external partners.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
• Excellent organizational and time management in a fast-paced setting.
• Valid driver's license required for company travel.

Responsibilities

• Lead safe, reliable, efficient, and compliant day-to-day operation of facilities.
• Develop operational strategies, procedures, and process improvements.
• Direct on-shift operations, staffing, schedules, and timekeeping.
• Recruit, train, coach, and evaluate personnel.
• Promote safety culture and regulatory compliance.
• Coordinate with maintenance, planning, engineering, dispatch, and vendors.
• Monitor plant performance, identify gaps, and implement corrective actions.
• Manage operating budgets and forecast expenses.
• Identify risks and communicate updates to senior leadership.
• Support labor relations and grievance processes.
• Use Maximo and SAP to manage work orders and reporting.
• Lead during off-shifts and emergencies; assist with continuity.

Skills

Heavy industry experience

Leadership

24/7 availability

Analytical thinking

Communication & negotiation

Financial acumen

Organizational & time management

Valid driver's license

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or industrial technologies

Tools

Emerson Ovation

GE Mark VIe

Maximo

SAP

Job description

Job Summary

The Manager Operations - Generation leads the daily operations and maintenance of power generation facilities, with responsibility for safety, regulatory compliance, budget management, and employee leadership. This role ensures reliable, efficient, and safe production of electricity in support of business objectives.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the safe, reliable, efficient, and compliant day-to-day operation of power generation facilities and associated equipment.
• Develop and implement operational strategies, policies, procedures, and process improvements that support generation, availability, performance, and long-term business objectives.
• Direct operations personnel and coordinate work across shifts, including staffing, schedules, overtime, timekeeping, attendance, and compliance with company policies.
• Recruit, train, qualify, coach, and evaluate Operations and Maintenance personnel to strengthen employee capability, accountability, teamwork, and overall performance.
• Promote a strong safety culture by reinforcing safe work practices, proper use of personal protective equipment, quality standards, and compliance with environmental, legal, regulatory, and industry requirements.
• Coordinate with Maintenance, Planning, Engineering, Dispatch, contractors, vendors, suppliers, and other business partners to prioritize equipment needs, outages, repairs, projects, and operational activities.
• Monitor plant performance, equipment reliability, production targets, quality measures, and key performance indicators; investigate performance gaps, determine root causes, and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Develop and manage operating budgets, forecast expenses and resource needs, monitor expenditures, analyze financial performance, and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Identify operational risks and bottlenecks, develop mitigation plans, and communicate performance updates, risks, recommendations, and operational reports to senior leadership.
• Support labor relations activities, including interpreting collective bargaining agreements, addressing workplace disputes, and participating in grievance processes.
• Use systems such as Maximo and SAP to manage work orders, asset information, maintenance coordination, and operational reporting.
• Serve as the lead management representative during off-shifts, weekends, holidays, outages, and operational emergencies; support emergency preparedness, business continuity, outage response, and restoration activities.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned in support of generation operations and business objectives.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Experience: 5+ years of experience in heavy industry, electric generation, combined cycle, or a related field, with a proven track record of improving processes and managing teams.
• Leadership Experience: 3+ years of experience leading a team within heavy industry.
• Availability: Ability to support 24/7 operations, which may require availability at night, on weekends, and on holidays.
• Leadership and People Management: Ability to inspire, guide, and coordinate teams effectively while fostering collaboration and accountability.
• Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to analyze operational data, evaluate processes, and develop innovative solutions to enhance efficiency.
• Communication and Negotiation: Proficiency in liaising among internal teams, stakeholders, and external partners to facilitate clear understanding and agreement.
• Financial Acumen: Experience with budgeting, forecasting, and interpreting key financial documents.
• Organizational and Time Management: Ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Valid Driver's License: Valid driver's license required for driving on company time.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in engineering or industrial technologies.
• Experience: 10+ years of experience in heavy industry; power generation technologies, including coal and natural gas for simple- and combined-cycle generation; and balance-of-plant systems.
• Technical Proficiency: Experience using operational software, including Emerson Ovation and GE Mark VIe; data analysis tools; and Maximo and SAP work and asset management systems.
• Leadership Experience: 5+ years of experience leading leaders in a represented workforce.

Disclaimer

This description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required for the position.

As a public utility, NiSource provides essential services to customers 24/7. Emergency needs can arise at various times throughout the year, including during storm season. Employees may be required to support emergency response efforts, which could include working outside normal hours or assisting with tasks outside of typical responsibilities.

Work Authorization

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States and must not require employer sponsorship n