Operations Manager

Green Plains Inc.; Illinois; On-site; USD 95,000 - 129,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision insurance

401(k) with immediate vesting

Paid holidays and PTO

Business casual environment

Job summary

Green Plains Inc. is seeking an Operations Manager to lead the plant operations team, drive safety, quality, production, and cost performance, and develop staff. You will work with engineering, maintenance, and other managers to meet site objectives and benchmarks.

You will supervise process technicians, monitor daily results, and collaborate on process improvements while reporting to the Plant Manager. A strong leadership style and hands-on technical knowledge are essential.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in operations or plant teams.
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills.
• Experience with safety, quality, and production metrics.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safety performance and policy compliance across the operations team.
• Lead staff development, performance evaluations, and disciplinary processes.
• Manage operating costs, budget adherence, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Oversee plant quality and production results with daily KPI analyses.

Skills

Leadership

Problem solving

Communication

Organizational skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Four-year technical degree (Chemical, Mechanical, Agricultural Engineering)

Tools

MS Office Suite

Process Data Historian tools (OSI PI or other)

Maximo/SAP

Job description

Summary:

As the Operations Manager, you will be responsible for the performance of the plant operations team focusing on the key metrics of safety, quality, production, costs, and employee development. In this position, you will be responsible for the operations of the location, including safety, efficiency, staffing, and project management. You will monitor day‑to‑day production results, will set area priorities for process and staff, and assign and monitor employees.

You will also maintain technical skills and knowledge of state‑of‑the‑art level while continuing to develop people management skills. As the Operations Manager, you will possess solid skills in communication (verbal and written) and will be seen as a developing leader within the plant leadership team. The Operations Manager works with integrity and upholds the values of the organization. In this position, you will work with other managers, the maintenance team, and the engineering team to achieve plant and company objectives. You will be responsible for the direct management of the process operations team and will visit other Green Plains Bio‑Refineries as necessary and partner with other location teammates. You will represent the plant in benchmarking exercises across the fleet. This role is a critical link with groups outside the plant in safety, quality, maintenance, commodities, sales, and accounting. As the Operations Manager, you will report to the Plant Manager and are a key member of the Plant Management Team. You will provide technical supervision and instructions to the Process Team Leads. This position has the freedom to operate, explore, and engage in creative process solutions within the constraints of the needs of the business, as long as the plant operates in a safe and efficient manner.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Accountable for the safety performance of the operations team. This includes ensuring that all plant safety policies and procedures are followed; daily safety‑related expectations are met, and all safety issues are clearly communicated and remediated as timely as possible. Support the safety representative, participating in the department and plant safety committees, and team safety meetings are required.
• Accountable for the performance, management, and personnel development of your department. This includes active involvement in the technical training and development of the process technicians to ensure process knowledge progression is not compromised. Responsible for developing clearly defined goals and objectives for the area through the involvement of the area leadership. Responsibilities also include performance evaluations of the area leadership (shift leads, operations supervisor), managing a progressive disciplinary process, and career development of area personnel. This role is responsible for working collaboratively with the engineering team to review and organize the engineering process modifications and projects within the plant.
• Accountable for operations costs. This is to include a detailed understanding of the budgeted area cost drivers, both fixed and variable, compared to usages month on month. The role is responsible for the development of a tracking tool as well as involvement of all available resources in the department to focus on reducing excess, consumption, and cost reduction, effectively creating an environment of continuous improvement and teamwork.
• Accountable for plant quality and production results. This is to include daily analysis of continuous process data to determine or evaluate process inefficiencies as well as prioritize issues. Ensure resources are clear on direction with respect to problem resolution. Expectation is regular communication occurs between the Quality Manager, Logistics Manager, Maintenance Manager, Plant Manager, and other resources that support the plant. A detailed daily plan should be generated outlining the next 24 hours of operational goals and objectives to be communicated to the team. A key daily meeting with the maintenance manager and maintenance planner is critical to ensure timely and accurate maintenance planning.
• Expected to learn the department processes with the outcome being a technical expert in all subject matters defined in the operations area.
• Accountable for submitting a monthly area report that tracks safety/ environmental, quality, production relative to plan including yield variances, costs and out‑of‑range cost drivers, and project activity.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Experience leading successful teams with an emphasis on organizational development.
• Demonstrate excellent problem‑solving skills.
• Proficient computer skills: MS Office Suite, Process Data Historian tools (OSI PI or other), Maximo/SAP.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, organizational skills, and self‑motivated customer‑focused aptitude and attitude. Must have the ability to build good relationships with both internal peers and external support groups.
• Have a leadership style consistent with a participative environment.
• Possess broad‑based technical skills and the ability to implement goals and objectives through effective planning and organizing.
• 5+ years of technical and/or plant experience.
• A valid Driver's License is required.
• High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED)

Preferred:

• Continuous industrial processing experience.
• Four‑year technical degree (Chemical, Mechanical, Agricultural Engineering).
• Dry Milling, Corn Wet Milling, or related industrial knowledge.
• Broad industrial and technical knowledge.
• Experience implementing Process Safety Management (PSM) and related systems.

Job Type:

Full‑time

Shift(s):

Monday–Friday, 8 am to 5 pm (Flexible)

Compensation:

Salaried, $112,000 annual

Salaried Incentive Plan:

Annual Bonus (based on company milestones and individual performance as determined by the Company) will be included in total compensation package

Green Plains Inc. offers competitive pay: a generous benefit package including business casual work environment, health, dental, vision, life insurance, paid holidays, Paid Time Off (PTO) and a 401(k) retirement plan with immediate vesting and company safe harbor matching

All potential employees of Green Plains Inc. will be required to successfully pass a pre‑employment drug screening and background check prior to employment.

Candidates must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for plant‑based roles to comply with applicable child labor laws.

Green Plains does not provide immigration‑related employment sponsorship for new hires (for example, H‑1B, F‑1 OPT, TN, or other work visas). Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis and be able to maintain ongoing work authorization without employer sponsorship now or in the future.

Equal Opportunity Employer

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Other duties may be assigned.

Company Description:

Green Plains Inc. (NASDAQ:GPRE) is a leading biorefining company focused on disciplined execution and leadership in low‑carbon biofuels and high‑value ingredients. The company operates a performance‑driven platform focused on maximizing yield, lowering carbon intensity, and delivering long‑term value through responsible capital deployment.

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