Plant Manager

NAES•Altavista, VA

6d•$150,000 - $209,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Plant Manager provides overall leadership and direction for plant operations, maintenance, safety, compliance, fuel management, and administrative programs, ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable facility performance. Responsibilities include overseeing staffing, training, and personnel development, maintaining employee qualifications and engagement, while providing hands-on support as needed. Serving as the primary interface with the Owner, regulatory agencies, biomass fuel suppliers, and the local community, the Plant Manager administers project and commercial agreements, manages budgets and financial performance, ensures compliance with safety, environmental, and contractual requirements, and works to enhance the plant’s and Owner’s reputation.

Requirements

A Bachelor of Science degree in engineering or equivalent is desired, providing a strong foundation for understanding the technical aspects of power plant operations and management. Relevant industry or military experience may be considered in lieu of education.
Extensive leadership experience in biomass, fossil-fueled, or steam-electric power plants, with demonstrated success overseeing plant operations, maintenance, and personnel performance.
Proven ability to supervise and develop technical, supervisory, and hourly personnel within a utility-scale power generation facility, fostering accountability, engagement, and operational excellence.
Strong understanding of power generation operations, maintenance strategies, and business practices, including experience supporting independent power producer environments.
Advanced technical knowledge of biomass fuel handling systems, boilers, steam turbine-generators, and balance-of-plant equipment, with the ability to support complex troubleshooting and reliability initiatives.
Demonstrated commitment to safety leadership, promoting a culture of compliance, risk awareness, and continuous improvement in workplace safety performance.
Working knowledge of environmental regulations, air permitting requirements, regulatory reporting, and preparation for inspections and compliance audits.
Proven financial and commercial acumen, including experience with budgeting, forecasting, cost control, contract administration, and vendor management.
Exceptional communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with plant personnel, regulatory agencies, community representatives, fuel suppliers, and plant ownership.
Must possess a valid, unrestricted U.S. driver’s license and ensure it remains in good standing at all times.

Responsibilities

Provide overall site leadership and governance by establishing clear expectations, reinforcing accountability, and ensuring policies and procedures align with operational objectives, regulatory requirements, and industry standards.
Champion a proactive safety culture by promoting safe work practices, reinforcing safety expectations, and ensuring personnel remain vigilant in protecting themselves, coworkers, contractors, and the public.
Ensure compliance with environmental permits, regulatory requirements, and landowner agreements, including the preparation and timely submission of required compliance reports.
Direct and integrate core plant programs—including operations, maintenance, safety, chemistry, training, administrative functions, fuel handling, and environmental QA/QC—to sustain safe, efficient, and reliable generation.
Administer the Management of Change (MOC) program to ensure all modifications to equipment, processes, and procedures are properly reviewed, approved, documented, and communicated prior to implementation.
Develop workforce staffing strategies and qualification frameworks to support all operational phases, ensuring required certifications and competencies remain current and compliant.
Strengthen organizational capability by identifying skill gaps, providing coaching and career development guidance, and supporting initiatives that enhance employee engagement, morale, and retention.
Oversee operational performance and reliability by supporting Operations and Maintenance personnel, assisting with troubleshooting efforts involving boilers, steam turbine-generator systems, fuel handling equipment, and coordinating specialized technical resources when needed.
Plan and execute scheduled and forced outages, optimizing schedules, resources, and work scope to improve reliability, control costs, and maximize generation availability.
Serve as the primary liaison to regulatory agencies, community stakeholders, and biomass fuel suppliers, fostering positive relationships and promoting the facility’s reputation as a responsible and engaged neighbor.
Administer and ensure compliance with commercial and contractual obligations, including O&M agreements, biomass fuel supply contracts, power sales agreements, service agreements, and interconnection requirements.
Oversee procurement strategy and vendor management activities, including administration of major service agreements and supplier performance oversight.
Manage plant financial performance by developing operating and capital budgets, monitoring expenditures, forecasting costs, and applying cost-control practices to ensure fiscal discipline and accurate financial reporting.
Carry out and complete additional special projects and tasks as needed.