Shift Operations Lead, Plant & Process Control

Mariana Minerals; Mineola (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Mariana Minerals in Joaquin, TX is seeking an Operator Lead to oversee shift-level plant operations, directing a small crew and monitoring process equipment to meet quality, safety, and production targets.

The role serves as the main liaison between the shift crew and the Director of Operations / Process Engineering, ensuring efficient, safe, and compliant operations while coordinating with maintenance and quality teams.

You will train operators and support start-up/shutdown activities as needed.

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of plant or industrial operations experience with leadership experience.
• Experience in manufacturing, chemical processing, or industrial plants preferred.
• Ability to read P&IDs, SOPs, and equipment manuals.
• Comfortable with industrial chemicals and process equipment and safety protocols.
• Strong troubleshooting and documentation skills.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds and work around industrial equipment.
• Willingness to work rotating shifts including nights, weekends, holidays.
• Hydrometallurgy, mining, or battery material experience is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the shift crew, assigning tasks and priorities across production areas.
• Conduct shift-start safety stand-downs and communicate priorities, hazards, and status.
• Monitor and control process equipment via HMI and manual checks to maintain parameters.
• Direct loading/unloading of trucks, cleaning of filter presses, and packaging of products.
• Respond to process upsets and escalate to Maintenance or Process Engineer; authorize lockout/tagout.
• Review shift logs, production data, and quality results; document activity in log sheets/CMMS.
• Coordinate with Maintenance to prioritize repairs and preventive maintenance.
• Perform and verify routine safety and housekeeping inspections.
• Train and mentor operators on procedures, safety, and equipment operation.
• Support plant start-up, shutdown, and commissioning activities as needed.

Skills

Leadership

Plant operations

P&IDs reading

Safety compliance

Team supervision

Documentation

Heavy lifting

Tools

SAP

CMMS

HMI

Microsoft Office

Job description

Mariana Minerals in Joaquin, TX is seeking an Operator Lead to oversee shift-level plant operations, directing a small crew and monitoring process equipment to meet quality, safety, and production targets.

The role serves as the main liaison between the shift crew and the Director of Operations / Process Engineering, ensuring efficient, safe, and compliant operations while coordinating with maintenance and quality teams.

You will train operators and support start-up/shutdown activities as needed.