Plant Operations Manager Jobs in Topeka, KS (NOW HIRING)

The Assistant Manager of Plant Operations is responsible for supporting the planning, coordination, execution, and continuous improvement of all network operations across the company's telecommunications infrastructure. This position provides operational leadership for outside plant construction, network maintenance, service restoration, capital projects, contractor management, and cross-functional coordination while helping ensure the organization's plant operations function as one cohesive team.

Working closely with the Manager of Plant Operations and Broadband Network Managers, this role provides leadership across fiber-to-the-home (FTTH), copper, coaxial, fixed wireless, voice, and broadband networks while balancing the needs of daily operations with long-term strategic planning.

This position is intended to develop into a senior operational leadership role and requires both strong technical knowledge and exceptional leadership ability.

Our Ideal Candidate

We are seeking a leader who combines technical expertise with operational excellence. This individual thrives in a fast-paced environment, remains calm under pressure, and understands that leadership is measured by the success of the team. They are equally comfortable discussing fiber architecture, reviewing capital budgets, coordinating construction projects, and mentoring future leaders.

The ideal candidate is forward-thinking, highly organized, collaborative, and committed to building the telecommunications networks that will serve our communities for decades to come.

Reports to: General Manager

Department: Plant Operations

Classification: Salaried Exempt

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Assist in leading the day-to-day operations of all plant-related activities across the organization.
• Coordinate Broadband Network Managers, internal staff, contractors, engineering firms, vendors, and organizational resources to ensure projects are executed safely, consistently, on schedule, and within budget.
• Promote standardized operating procedures, documentation, and quality standards across all service areas.
• Support emergency response, outage restoration, and business continuity efforts.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Assist with planning and execution of outside plant construction, maintenance, network lifecycle management, and grant-funded initiatives.
• Participate in project estimating, bid reviews, and contractor selection.
• Support operations involving GPON/XGS-PON fiber networks, copper, coaxial broadband, fixed wireless, POTS, digital voice, streaming television, and future access technologies.
• Support annual capital planning, operational budgeting, and project prioritization that balances customer experience with long-term infrastructure investment.
• Partner with inventory personnel to ensure effective material planning, accountability, and utilization.
• Monitor project milestones, budgets, resource allocation, and operational risks while developing proactive mitigation strategies.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, and development opportunities for Broadband Network Managers and technical staff, including succession planning.
• Promote collaboration across engineering, customer operations, customer service, accounting, and executive leadership while encouraging innovation and process improvement.
• Develop and monitor operational performance indicators, including project delivery, network reliability, service restoration, installation intervals, quality assurance, contractor performance, safety, and inventory accountability.
• Prepare operational reports and recommendations for executive leadership.

Success Measures: Success in this position will be demonstrated through

• Safe execution of all operational activities.
• Consistent on-time delivery of capital projects.
• Improved coordination across operational teams.
• Reduced operational disruptions and improved network reliability.
• Strong contractor and vendor performance.
• Accurate planning and resource management.
• Development of future operational leaders.
• Increased operational efficiency through standardized processes.
• Effective communication with employees, contractors, customers, and executive leadership.

Access to Sensitive Areas and Information

• All plant department offices and buildings
• All direct and indirect report personnel files
• Plant and the company budget

General Qualifications

Leadership Competencies

• Demonstrated leadership and sound decision-making.
• Strong initiative and accountability.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Collaborative, team-oriented leadership style.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving abilities.

Technical Qualifications

• Comprehensive knowledge of fiber, copper, coaxial, fixed wireless, and voice telecommunications networks.
• Strong understanding of outside plant construction, maintenance, and infrastructure lifecycle management.
• Working knowledge of GPON/XGS-PON, VoIP, switching, routing, and network operations.
• Familiarity with fiber splicing, number portability, and telecommunications provisioning.

Business & Project Management

• Experience coordinating multiple concurrent projects, budgets, schedules, contractors, and resources.
• Understanding of regulatory, environmental, and safety compliance.
• Ability to analyze operational performance and identify process improvements.

Computer Skills

• Proficient in Microsoft 365, Adobe Acrobat/PDF management, and standard business software.
• Comfortable learning and using GIS, project management, inventory, and telecommunications management systems.

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor's degree in Telecommunications, Engineering, Construction Management, Business Administration, or a related field is preferred. Equivalent industry experience will be considered.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position oversees ongoing operations of all divisions of the plant operations department.

Work Environment

The employee is occasionally exposed to a variety of extreme weather conditions.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position, and hours of work and days are generally Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Extended hours may be necessary during emergency situations.

Travel

This position sometimes travels to customer and equipment locations.

AAP/EEO Statement

JBN Telephone Company, Inc. and Giant Communications, Inc. (Company) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Company complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Company expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Company's employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.