Plant Manager Jobs in Ridgewood, NJ (NOW HIRING)

Located 30 miles south of Albany, New Athens Generating stands as a formidable energy hub in the town of Athens, NY. Boasting a capacity of 1,080 megawatts, it operates three Siemens 501G combustion turbine generators fueled by natural gas combined-cycle technology, ensuring efficient and reliable power generation for the region. Nestled amidst scenic landscapes, this facility serves as a vital contributor to the area's electricity grid, meeting the demands of modern energy consumption with cutting-edge technology.

Opportunity Summary

The Plant Manager provides overall leadership for the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of New Athens Generating, overseeing operations, maintenance, safety, environmental compliance, staffing, and financial performance. This role ensures compliance with regulatory, contractual, Owner, and company requirements while developing a qualified and effective workforce.

As the primary site liaison with the Owner and key stakeholders, the Plant Manager drives operational excellence, plant reliability, cost control, workforce development, and continuous improvement to achieve facility and business objectives.

Your scope of responsibility as Plant Manager includes the following primary functions:

• Provide overall plant leadership, establishing expectations and accountability while ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient operations aligned with Owner objectives and industry standards.
• Champion a proactive safety culture by promoting safe work practices and ensuring the protection of employees, contractors, visitors, and the public.
• Ensure compliance with environmental permits, regulatory and NERC requirements, applicable agreements, and Management of Change (MOC) processes, including required reporting.
• Direct plant programs including Operations, Maintenance, Safety, Environmental, Chemistry, Training, NERC compliance, and administration to optimize plant performance and business results.
• Develop staffing, training, qualification, and employee development strategies that maintain required competencies and strengthen workforce capability, engagement, and retention.
• Oversee plant performance and equipment reliability, providing technical leadership and supporting complex troubleshooting through coordination with plant personnel, OEMs, and specialized resources.
• Plan and execute scheduled and forced outages, optimizing scope, schedules, resources, and costs to maximize plant availability, reliability, and performance.
• Serve as the primary site liaison with the Owner, regulatory agencies, utilities, community stakeholders, and other external parties, maintaining effective relationships and representing the facility professionally.
• Administer O&M, energy supply, interconnection, major service, and other commercial agreements, along with procurement and vendor relationships, ensuring contractual compliance and supplier performance.
• Manage plant financial performance through operating and capital budgets, expenditure monitoring, forecasting, cost control, and capital planning.
• Drive continuous improvement and industry best practices to enhance plant safety, reliability, availability, efficiency, workforce effectiveness, and business performance.
• Maintain dependable attendance and perform additional duties, special projects, and assignments as required.

NAES Safe

Safety is a core value at NAES, and as a condition of employment, all employees are expected to remain mentally alert and work safely at all times. All NAES managers and supervisors have a direct and important role in ensuring that all work is performed in a healthy and safe manner. Effectiveness in carrying out this responsibility is part of the evaluation of each Supervisor’s performance.

Working Relationships

The Plant Manager reports to the Operations Director and supervises the managers, technicians, and Plant Administrator. The Plant Manager is the single point of contact between NAES and the Owner on all matters pertaining to the operation, maintenance, and commercial management of the plant.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

Physical requirements include standing for extended periods of time, climbing stairs and ladders, working from elevated platforms and walkways at varying heights, and routinely lifting up to 50 pounds.

Power plant environment that may involve entering confined spaces, crawling through narrow areas, and handling hazardous materials, with exposure to fumes, extreme temperatures, and noise. Work may include high heat near equipment and varying outdoor weather conditions.

Some duties may require the use of protective equipment, which can include hard hats, safety glasses, and eye protection, air masks/respirators, ear protection, chemical suits, flame-resistant clothing (FRC), hot gloves, high-voltage protective gear, and fall protection. Fit testing for respirators may be required. Strict smoking restrictions apply in and around the facility.

Fitness for Duty

All personnel will participate in the Fitness for Duty Program, which includes a post-offer physical examination, drug screening, and post-employment random drug screening.

Work Schedule

The Plant Manager works a standard Monday to Friday day shift schedule. This position will require extended hours, flexible shifts, weekends, holidays, and on-call availability as needed to support plant operations and business needs.

Some travel may be involved to participate in Manager, Owner, User Group, or other offsite meetings.

Compensation

This position offers an annual base salary ranging from $175,000 to $225,000 and includes eligibility for an annual performance bonus.

Leadership & Technical Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline preferred. Equivalent power generation, industrial, or military experience may be considered in lieu of formal education.
• Extensive leadership experience in natural gas-fired combined-cycle power generation, preferably as a Plant Manager or senior plant leader.
• Demonstrated experience leading Operations, Maintenance, and technical personnel within a large combined-cycle power plant.
• Strong knowledge of independent power producer (IPP) operations, plant performance, reliability, availability, and commercial business practices.
• Advanced knowledge of combined-cycle systems, equipment, and maintenance practices, with the technical expertise to support complex troubleshooting and operational decisions.
• Proven safety leadership with the ability to establish expectations, reinforce accountability, and promote a strong safety culture.
• Experience overseeing environmental and regulatory compliance, including NERC requirements, regulatory reporting, audit preparedness, and Management of Change (MOC).
• Strong financial management experience, including operating and capital budgets, forecasting, cost control, and capital planning.
• Experience administering commercial contracts, service agreements, procurement, contractor services, and vendor relationships.
• Demonstrated success driving continuous improvement in plant reliability, operational performance, workforce effectiveness, and financial results.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with Owners, regulatory agencies, contractors, and plant personnel.
• Must possess a valid, unrestricted U.S. driver’s license and ensure it remains in good standing at all times.

About NAES

NAES Corporation is a leading provider of operations, maintenance, and engineering services for energy facilities. We serve clients across the power generation, oil and gas, and renewable energy sectors throughout North America and internationally, supporting the full life cycle of power generation and other industrial facilities.

NAES is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Employment decisions are based on merit and qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status, USERRA-protected status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.