Operations Manager

EthosEnergy; Spartanburg (SC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading energy company is seeking an Operations Manager to lead an operations team in Spartanburg, SC. The ideal candidate will ensure operational excellence at a state-of-the-art power plant, oversee daily operations, and maintain strict safety and environmental compliance. Applicants should have a strong background in power plant operations and management, with proven leadership skills and a relevant educational background. This role offers an opportunity to impact a major greenfield energy project.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated track record of successful goal achievement.
• A thorough understanding of power plant operations, including operations and maintenance.
• Ability to make competent decisions in emergency situations.

Responsibilities

• Promote a safe working environment according to safety procedures.
• Develop training programs for operations and maintenance personnel.
• Monitor and optimize plant performance and provide regular updates.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Understanding of Power Plant Operations

Budget Management

Team Management

Education

Associates Degree or equivalent

Four-year degree or commensurate experience

High School diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Project)

Job description

Join EthosEnergy as an Operations Manager and Lead an operations team in a State-of-the-Art Power Plant in Spartanburg, SC! EthosEnergy is looking for a dynamic Operations Manager to take charge of an operations team with a cutting-edge 450 MW power plant consisting of twenty-four (24) Cummins reciprocating engine driven generator sets, five (5) Baker Hughes LT16 mobile gas turbine generator sets, six (6) GE LM6000 gas turbine generator sets, and 200 MW of BESS. This is your opportunity to play a pivotal role in bringing a major greenfield energy project to life and ensuring its long‑term success. As Operations Manager, you’ll provide tactical leadership and operational oversight, guiding the team to mobilize, commission, and operate the plant safely, reliably, and efficiently. Oversee the day‑to‑day operating and maintenance activities, environmental compliance and ensure that the facility is operated in a safe, reliable, and economic manner consistent with site O&M Agreement, contracts, permits, and rules and regulations written instructions from the Facility Owner, while driving performance excellence. In this role, you will:

• Lead with impact: Set the tone for safety, reliability, and cost‑effectiveness.
• Be the key liaison: Serve as the primary interface with the facility owner’s representative.
• Shape the future: Influence operational strategies for a high‑performing energy facility.

You’ll report directly to the Facility Manager and work closely with stakeholders to deliver results that matter.

Job Responsibilities

• Promote a safe working environment and ensure that all personnel and contractors follow plant and company safety procedures and policies. Assign a Safety Liaison and oversee the safety activities to ensure compliance with all OSHA required training and activities.
• Maintain compliance with all company policies, procedures, and contractual requirements.
• Develop a training program for the operations and maintenance personnel and encourage the staff to cross train and add skills to create a more flexible and productive plant environment. Provide coaching, training, and development opportunities for the team to ensure appropriate skill sets are maintained and personnel are qualified for the activities with which they are being asked to perform.
• Support both Owner and Operator programs and decisions to the best of your ability. Bring these programs and decisions to the staff with a positive attitude and high level of confidence. Seek to address any uncertainty from the staff by encouraging positive thinking and a high level of productivity.
• Resolve any negative attitudes promptly and with positive reinforcement.
• Provide regular updates to the Facility Manager on staff morale and work ethics.
• Delegate projects and tasks to the operations & maintenance personnel to ensure an acceptable back‑log of work‑orders, work is properly distributed, and all personnel are being exposed to the various functions in the plant thus promoting the experience level of the staff.
• Support the Facility Manager in the completion of all facility reporting requirements including environmental, safety, budgeting, and plant performance.
• Monitor and optimize plant performance. This should include periodic testing, evaluations, and recommendations to the owner for improvement projects with cost justifications. Encourage the plant staff to incorporate improvements internally to reduce contractor costs.
• Provide input and support in the development of the annual budget and annual operating plans.
• Monitor and optimize plant performance in cooperation with the Plant Engineer. This should include periodic testing, evaluations, and recommendations to the owner for improvement projects with cost justifications. Encourage the plant staff to incorporate improvements internally to reduce contractor costs.
• Manage the O&M staff to promote efficient operations and utilization of overtime hours.
• Communicate effectively with the site staff, Facility Manager, Facility Owner, vendors, and outside agencies.
• Provide input and support in the development of the annual budget and annual operating plans.
• Demonstrate effective management skills in meeting or exceeding facility goals and objectives and support the Facility Manager in ensuring that EEG is performing in accordance with the O&M agreement.
• Lead the effort to identify problem areas in the plant where there are repeat problems, inefficiencies, or unsafe areas. Once identified prepare capital project suggestions with appropriate cost benefit analysis’.
• Ensure the facility is operated in a safe manner and ensure that a safe work environment is provided and maintained to minimize the risk of accidents and injuries.
• Optimize plant performance through appropriate utilization of manpower, equipment, supplies and external support.
• Recruit, supervise and manage the facility staff to meet the goals and objectives of the facility and company. Provide coaching, training, and development opportunities for the team to ensure appropriate skill sets are maintained. This includes the implementation and scheduling of training programs that cover operations, maintenance, safety, and regulatory areas.

Required Skills / Knowledge

• Demonstrated track record of successful goal achievement.
• A thorough demonstrated understanding of power plant operations, including a working knowledge of the operations & maintenance functions.
• A working knowledge of chemistry as it relates to plant operations as well as environmental and water treatment programs and statutory regulations.
• Understand budgets, bid proposals, contracts and LTSA, basic accounting principles, plant economics and power pool operations.
• Demonstrate the ability to make competent decisions in emergency situations.
• Demonstrate the ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, electrical diagrams/drawings, logic diagrams, and technical manuals.
• Ability to solve practical problems, clearly communicate tasks and needs, and training of other personnel.
• Knowledge of Quality Programs and tools.
• Analyses and interprets data to make sound professional judgments and recommendations.
• Ability to manage and motivate a team of 13 employees.
• Demonstrate good verbal and written communication skills.
• Competent computer skills with experience in using Word, Excel, PowerPoint and MS Project.

Experience

• Experience in Operations of either a Simple or Combined Cycle Power Station or both.
• Experience operating and maintaining aeroderivative gas turbines.
• Experience operating and maintaining reciprocating engine driven generator sets.
• A substantial number of years’ relevant experience, with a significant proportion of this in management position.
• Desired “greenfield” experience with the development of a power plant.

Education Requirements

• Associates Degree (AA) or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school
• A four-year degree or commensurate experience is required as well as a demonstrated track record of successful goal achievement.
• High School diploma or equivalent required.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to walk, reach, climb, stoop and lift (up to 50 pounds).
• Ability to work at heights and enter confined spaces.
• The position requires occasional travel.

EthosEnergy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, citizenship, marital status, sex/gender, sexual preference/ orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, national origin, or any other status protected by law or regulation.