Utility Plant Operations Manager

Bradsby Group; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Bradsby Group, Detroit area, seeks an experienced Plant Operations Supervisor to lead the generating plant staff. You will oversee daily plant operations, ensure safety and environmental compliance, manage the fuel yard, and coordinate with maintenance to optimize performance. Strong knowledge of RBAM and maintenance processes is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline; minimum 3 years supervisory experience in a solid fuel fired power plant, or 6+ years if no degree.
• Wood-fired boiler and steam turbine generator experience is highly desired; biomass, bioenergy, or wastewater industries considered.
• Strong understanding of power plant operations and maintenance functions.
• Knowledge of steam turbine technology, mechanics, hydraulics, electricity and electronics.
• Ability to analyze and improve operations processes using market dynamics and competitor insights.
• Experience with MS applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and maintenance management software.

Responsibilities

• Directs plant operations and staff to meet generating requirements and safety/environmental standards.
• Develops and implements operating practices to maximize availability, efficiency and productivity.
• Reviews and improves processes; ensures staff are trained and adhere to procedures.
• Manages fuel yard operations, storage, mixing of biomass, and supplier relations.
• Oversees safety and environmental compliance reporting to authorities.
• Sets performance goals and conducts staff reviews, aligns with budgets and cost controls.
• Investigates abnormalities to improve equipment availability and reduce maintenance.
• Prepares operation reports and budget inputs; supports maintenance engineering.

Skills

Leadership

Supervision

Power plant operations

RBAM knowledge

MS Office

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in related discipline

Tools

CMMS

Job description

Job Summary

Responsible for the safe and efficient operation and management of staff at the generating plant. Provides direct supervision and leadership of the operations group under the general direction of the Assistant Plant Manager. The person holding this position provides leadership to the operations group on the daily operation of generating equipment under the general direction of the Assistant Plant Manager. Responsibilities include managing the daily operation of the facility to ensure the environment and plant personnel are safe. Requires knowledge of all environmental and compliance permits and how they are implemented in an operating plant, as well as demonstrated knowledge of the maintenance management function of a wood-fired stoker power plant. Provides direct supervision and leadership of the operations group under the general direction of the Assistant Plant Manager.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline with a minimum of 3 years supervisory experience in a solid fuel fired power plant. If they do not have a degree they must have at least 6 years of supervisory experience
• Wood fired boiler and Steam Turbine Generator operating experience is highly desired. Can come from biomass, bioenergy or wastewater industries
• Demonstrated understanding of power plant operations, with strong understanding of the maintenance function.
• Understanding of steam turbine technology, mechanics, hydraulics, electricity and electronics.
• Thorough, demonstrated understanding of plant operations, with strong knowledge of generating equipment, biomass fired boilers, and water treatment processes.
• Ability to analyze and improve operations business processes, utilizing information about market dynamics and competitors' processes and achievements.
• Working knowledge of operations and engineering functions and their interrelation to maintenance.
• Demonstrated skill in planning, coordinating and directing varied programs and tasks directly effecting the overall plant operation.
• Ability to plan, coordinate and direct varied programs and tasks directly involved with the maintenance component of the plant, but directly influencing the entire plant operation.
• Understanding of Risk-Based Asset Management (RBAM) strategies.
• Proficient in the use of MS applications, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint in a Windows environment. Extensive experience with computer-based maintenance management programs and Internet

Responsibilities

• Directs plant operations and operating personnel to ensure that generating requirements and plant efficiency are maintained, and that local, state and federal safety and operational environmental standards are met.
• Develops, implements and manages consistent plant operating philosophies and best practices to maximize plant availability, efficiency and productivity.
• Constantly reviews and improves operational processes and ensures that operating personnel are properly trained and adhere to established procedures and standards in accordance with prudent industry practices.
• Manages the fuel yard, including safe and efficient storage and mixing of biomass fuel, maintains positive fuel supplier relationships and overall quality control of fuel supply.
• Manages safety and environmental compliance and reporting to federal, state and local government authorities.
• Develops performance goals and reviews to align employee accountabilities and conduct with operational processes.
• Investigates operating abnormalities and incidents to improve equipment availability and performance and to minimize maintenance requirements.
• Prepares necessary plant operation reports in a timely manner and investigates all forced outages.
• Prepares and continually evaluates the operating department’s budgets and/or makes recommendations to the Assistant Plant Manager relative to optimize Operations cost effectiveness, work quality, outage time, and capital budgets.
• Reviews and provides operational input to maintenance and assists with maintenance engineering evaluation and troubleshooting of equipment abnormalities. Maintains a consistent and effective level of communications with Assistant Plant Manager, Maintenance Manager, Administrative staff, and O&M Technicians on shift.
• Establishes department and group goals based on market dynamics and the needs of customers, employees, the owners and other stakeholders
• Assures proper staffing, scheduling, orientation and training of the plant staff, and manages compliance with all company policies and procedures. Recruits, interviews and assigns Operations employment candidates.