Operations Readiness Lead – Pilot to Production

Allied Graphite; Mesa (AZ); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Allied Graphite is seeking an Operations Readiness Manager to lead the staged delivery strategy for Pilot Plant, Commercial Prototype, and P1 Commercial Facility in Mesa, AZ. You will align people, processes, systems, and facilities to start up, ramp up, and sustain operations across all phases.

The role requires extensive experience in chemical processing and operations management, with a strong focus on readiness planning, training, and handover governance.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in chemical processing, specialty chemicals, advanced materials, battery materials, or comparable continuous process industries.
• 10+ years in operations management with production and workforce leadership.
• Experience in operational readiness, project-to-operations transition, and startup ramp-up preparation.
• Experience as Owner's Representative with an Engineering Service Provider.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the Operations Readiness Strategy across all project phases.
• Define readiness criteria for each facility phase and integrate with schedules.
• Design operating model, staffing, and competency frameworks for each phase.
• Lead readiness reviews and handovers to production at each milestone.
• Coordinate training, SOPs, and maintenance readiness before startup.
• Monitor ramp-up KPIs and implement improvements for subsequent phases.

Skills

Operational Readiness

Project-to-Operations transition

Startup ramp‑up

Owner's Representative experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

CMMS (SAP PM, Fiix)

Job description

Allied Graphite is seeking an Operations Readiness Manager to lead the staged delivery strategy for Pilot Plant, Commercial Prototype, and P1 Commercial Facility in Mesa, AZ. You will align people, processes, systems, and facilities to start up, ramp up, and sustain operations across all phases.

The role requires extensive experience in chemical processing and operations management, with a strong focus on readiness planning, training, and handover governance.