Ryegate Associates

About this position Position Overview

The Operations Manager is responsible for the daily operation and performance of a small-scale wood-fired biomass power plant. This role combines leadership and hands-on operational oversight to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient generation of renewable energy. The Operations Manager works closely with the Plant Manager, Maintenance team, and fuel suppliers to manage plant performance, optimize fuel usage, and maintain compliance with environmental and safety standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operation of the plant and operation personal including control room operators and steam plant operators.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for shift operators, providing direction and technical support.
• Monitor plant performance metrics and troubleshoot operational issues to minimize downtime.
• Manage fuel receiving, handling, and inventory to ensure consistent wood supply and quality.
• Adjust operating parameters to maintain efficiency, output, and environmental compliance.
• Work alongside operators as needed to support startup, shutdown, and maintenance activities.
• Train and develop operators in safe work practices and plant procedures.
• Support cross-training and scheduling of the 5 shift rotation of operations manpower to ensure coverage of employees' PTO usage.
• Foster a collaborative work environment emphasizing safety, accountability, and teamwork.

Maintenance & Coordination

• Partner with the Maintenance Supervisor to schedule preventive maintenance and repairs.
• Participate in troubleshooting equipment issues and coordinate vendor support when necessary.
• Maintain accurate records in the plant’s CMMS for work orders, inspections, and operational logs.
• Assist with planning and execution of annual outages and improvement projects.

Safety & Compliance

• Enforce plant safety procedures and ensure compliance with OSHA and Vermont environmental regulations.
• Conduct safety meetings, drills, and incident reviews.
• Maintain records for environmental permits, emissions, and water quality reporting.

Administrative & Budget Support

• Contribute to fuel cost tracking, operating budget inputs, and inventory management.
• Support preparation of operational and regulatory reports for management and agencies.
• Recommend process and equipment improvements to enhance efficiency and reliability.

Salary Information Requirements Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Energy Systems, or related technical field preferred; equivalent operational experience accepted.
• 5+ years of experience in biomass, power generation, or industrial plant operations.
• Minimum 2 years in a supervisory or leadership role.
• Strong mechanical and electrical aptitude with hands-on plant experience.
• Project planning, scheduling, and execution within budget and timeline.
• Ability to coordinate multiple tasks, resources, and contractors effectively.
• Risk management and problem-solving for plant improvement projects.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams for operational projects.
• Monitoring project progress and reporting to management.
• Proficient in biomass or solid-fuel boiler and steam turbine operations.
• Working knowledge of plant control systems, instrumentation, and CMMS.
• Strong leadership and communication skills in a small team environment.
• Ability to analyze operational data and make real-time process adjustments.
• Commitment to safety, reliability, and environmental compliance.

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

Work performed in both control room and plant floor environments, including exposure to noise, heat, and industrial conditions.

Ability to climb ladders, work at heights, and lift up to 50 lbs.

Occasional evening or weekend work required for outages or emergencies.

Competitive salary based on experience.

Health, dental, and vision insurance.

401(k) plan with employer match.

Paid vacation, holidays, and training opportunities.

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