Central Utility Plant Manager

DTE is one of the nation’s largest diversified energy companies. Our electric and gas companies have fueled our customer’s homes and Michigan’s progress for more than a century. And as Michigan’s largest source of renewable energy, we’re creating a cleaner, healthier environment to power our future. We’re also serving communities beyond Michigan, where our affiliated businesses offer renewable energy, emission control technologies, and energy services to industries in 19 states.  But we’re more than a leading energy company... and working at DTE is more than just a job. At DTE, we take great care of each other and our customers, and we use our energy to be a force for growth and prosperity in our communities.  When you join us, you’ll be part of a team that welcomes, recognizes, and celebrates differences, and values everyone’s health, safety, and wellbeing.  Are you ready to make that kind of difference? Bring your energy to DTE. Together, we can achieve great things.

Job Summary

Location: Indianapolis, IN

This position is responsible for overseeing, managing, and directing the day-to-day operation and maintenance activities for utility and energy-related assets within the newly constructed Cogeneration facility (cogen) located at the Ingredion facility located in Indianapolis Indiana. along with all other associated distribution infrastructure needed to supply Steam and Electrical power at the location.

Plant equipment includes the following: (2) 7.8 MW Solar Taurus 70 Gas Turbine Generators with associated 130 KPPH Heat Recovery Steam Generator’s with Duct Burners economizers, deaerators, boiler feed water pumps, and condensate pumps. Balance of plant equipment includes air compressors, water treatment systems, pumps, filters, instrumentation, PLC controls and 15/5 kV, 480 V and 125 VDC electrical systems.

Upon Commercial Operation, the Plant Manager will be responsible for performing difficult and complex services requiring a high level of independent judgment, initiative, and discretion. Work is mainly self-directed, with work results reviewed through the achievement of set goals and adherence to policies and procedures.

Key Accountabilities

• Provide weekly updates to the Regional Manager and Director of Operations throughout the cogen Startup process
• Lead the interviewing and hiring of the site operations staff
• Develop operating and safety procedures along with all other administrative tasks associated with a new plant startup
• Participate in daily construction team meetings and oversee the quality of the cogen construction with an emphasis on the long-term operation of the facility
• Ensure all appropriate commissioning and testing activities have been performed on the cogen’s systems to facilitate a safe and efficient turnover from construction to operations
• Work with the Controls Integrator and Commissioning Agents to optimize and tune the highly automated facility for reliable and efficient operation
• Ensure that the utility assets are operated in a safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible manner while ensuring all contract deliverables are met
• Supervise and direct the daily activities of all plant staff, including the hourly workforce consisting of 4 Operating Engineers, and a Lead Operating Engineer
• Directly manage 3rd party vendors and contractors
• Understand and adhere to all commercial and contractual obligations
• Act as the onsite liaison between the Company and the Customer
• Ensure that all financial goals are met while maintaining a high level of plant reliability
• Develop and manage annual O&M budget and cost-saving measures
• Conduct employee safety training
• Develop and maintain a close working relationship with all stakeholders including key customer personnel

Minimum Education & Experience Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent and at least 7 years supervisory or managerial experience in the operation, maintenance and administration of powerhouses, utility systems, chemical processes, or similar plant assets, or
• Associate’s degree or industry-recognized certificate (i.e., the completion of a core group of course designated by the institution) in a related discipline and at least 5 years supervisory or managerial experience in the operation, maintenance and administration of powerhouses, utility systems, chemical processes, or similar plant assets, or
• Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline and at least 3 years supervisory or managerial experience in the operation, maintenance and administration of powerhouses, utility systems, chemical processes, or similar plant assets

Other Qualifications

• An understanding of the technology utilized by the customer and how it relates to the commodities and services provided by DTE Vantage
• Knowledge of the regulatory processes under which the facility operates
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• Working knowledge of powerhouse equipment and systems, including but not limited to, gas turbines, steam boilers, , electrical distribution, heat exchangers, hot water distribution, chemical treatment equipment, transformers, motors, pumps, piping/valves, instrumentation, control systems, etc.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with an ability to communicate effectively at all levels of staff and management.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Experience with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS)
• Ability to develop and manage operating & maintenance budgets
• Promote and maintain strong, positive relationships with coworkers, suppliers, contractors, vendors, and customers

Physical Demands & Working Conditions

The physical demands characterized here epitomize those that must be met by an employee to properly perform the integral functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. In order to properly perform the integral functions of this job, the employee is required to:

• Occasionally reach with hands or arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, taste and smell
• Frequently, the employee is required to stand, walk, and sit
• Use hands and fingers and handle and talk and hear
• Occasionally lift objects of up to 40 pounds in weight
• Vision requirements for this position include close, distance and peripheral vision, along with depth perception

Work both in a business office setting and a plant site. Occasionally be exposed to outside weather conditions, including wet and/or humid conditions, and may work near moving mechanical parts and/or machinery. Occasionally be exposed to fumes or airborne particles and vibration. Be in a work environment that is usually moderate but may become loud at the plant site.

Additional Information

Incumbents may engage in all or some combination of the activities and accountabilities, and utilize a variety of the competencies cited in this description depending upon the organization and role to which they are assigned. This description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by incumbents in this job. It is not intended as an all-inclusive list of accountabilities or responsibilities, nor is it intended to limit the rights of supervisors or management representatives to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision.

At DTE Energy, we are committed to providing an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome and a sense of belonging. We seek individuals with a heart for service, a passion to help our communities prosper, and ideas to help shape the future of energy. We are proud to be an equal opportunity, employer that considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, disability, national origin, citizenship, height, weight, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, protected veteran status or any other status protected by applicable federal and/or state laws.