Operations Readiness Manager

Allied Graphite • Mesa, AZ

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Operations Readiness Manager is responsible for developing and executing a staged operational delivery strategy across three progressive project investments: a Pilot Plant (Mesa, AZ), Commercial Prototype, and a P1 Commercial Facility. This role ensures that people, processes, systems, assets, and infrastructure are prepared to safely start up, ramp up, and sustain operations at each phase. The Operations Readiness Manager serves as the critical interface between Project and Operations teams, building the operating organization while simultaneously preparing the facility for startup.

Requirements

• 15+ years in chemical processing, specialty chemicals, advanced materials, battery materials, hydrometallurgy, industrial minerals, or comparable continuous process industries
• 10+ years in operations management, including responsibility for production, workforce leadership, and operational performance in continuous process facilities
• Demonstrated experience in operational readiness, project-to-operations transition, and startup ramp-up preparation
• Experience in greenfield project development and phased facility expansions
• Prior roles as Operations Manager, Commissioning Manager, Maintenance Manager, or Operations Readiness Manager on major industrial projects
• Experience as an Owner's Representative working with an Engineering Service Provider
• Hands-on experience implementing CMMS systems (SAP PM, Fiix, or similar) and completions management systems
• Participation in or leadership of HAZOP studies, PSSR reviews, MOC processes, RCM, and FMEA programs
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (preferred)
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (preferred)

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the overall Operations Readiness Strategy across all project phases
• Define operational capability requirements and readiness criteria for each facility phase
• Build and maintain the integrated Operations Readiness Plan and execution roadmap
• Capture and incorporate lessons learned from each startup phase into subsequent phases
• Develop and maintain the master Operations Readiness Integrated Schedule
• Integrate readiness activities with engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, recruitment, and training schedules
• Identify critical path activities and lead re-planning in response to project impacts
• Design the operating model, organization structure, and staffing requirements for each facility phase
• Develop role descriptions, competency frameworks, shift structures, and workforce mobilization plans
• Establish succession and capability development plans to support facility growth
• Develop phased training strategies aligned with facility maturity and operational complexity
• Define competency frameworks, qualification programs, and certification requirements for operators, supervisors, maintenance, laboratory, and technical personnel
• Establish training records and competency management systems
• Coordinate development and approval of all operating, startup, shutdown, emergency, and safety procedures (SOPs, LOTO, confined space, etc.)
• Develop maintenance readiness strategies including FMEA, preventive/predictive maintenance programs, spare parts strategies, and CMMS implementation
• Ensure equipment master data, BOMs, and maintenance plans are complete prior to startup
• Support commissioning and startup activities; lead readiness reviews prior to each handover milestone
• Ensure operational teams are prepared to receive and operate systems at each phase transition
• Ensure all readiness documentation is complete prior to operational acceptance
• Lead readiness reviews and sign-off activities ahead of each startup and production handover
• Coordinate completion and resolution of outstanding items required for operational acceptance
• Monitor readiness progress against approved schedules and milestones; lead executive readiness reporting
• Facilitate readiness reviews, stage-gate assessments, and cross-functional readiness workshops
• Contribute to risk registers and mitigation plans; protect operational scope and schedule requirements
• Lead operational readiness activities throughout production ramp-up across all facility phases
• Coordinate rapid response teams to address startup issues, including punch list items, equipment defects, and process improvements
• Monitor ramp-up KPIs and production stabilization metrics; capture and implement lessons learned for subsequent phases

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager