Operations Manager

• Pay or shift range: $130,000 USD to $165,000 USD The estimated range is the budgeted amount for this position. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, location, qualifications and other job-related reasons.

Description

The Franklin Biomass Facility in Carnesville, GA, generates 55 net megawatts of renewable energy by converting sustainably sourced wood biomass into electricity. The facility uses a Foster Wheeler boiler, hot precipitator, and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system to support efficient combustion and reduced emissions. With a single turbine generator, the plant reliably supplies power to the local grid while supporting sustainable energy practices and long-term environmental stewardship.

Opportunity Summary

The Operations Manager leads daily operations at Franklin Biomass Facility, overseeing plant performance, personnel, staffing, fuel handling, and regulatory compliance to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient electricity generation. This position manages operational budgets, develops personnel, monitors equipment performance, and drives continuous improvement. Working closely with Maintenance, Engineering, and Compliance personnel, the Operations Manager supports plant reliability, cost-effective operations, and environmental performance.

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

• Direct daily plant operations and supervise Operations personnel to ensure safe, reliable, efficient, and environmentally compliant electricity generation.
• Develop and manage operational budgets, controlling expenditures while supporting production, reliability, and cost objectives.
• Establish operator schedules, staffing coverage, and on-call arrangements to maintain continuous plant operations and emergency response readiness.
• Coordinate biomass fuel deliveries, handling, storage, quality testing, and inventory to support combustion efficiency, fuel availability, and emissions compliance.
• Evaluate boiler, turbine, generator, and auxiliary equipment performance using operational data to identify trends, improve efficiency, and address reliability concerns.
• Collaborate with Maintenance and Engineering personnel to prioritize equipment repairs, coordinate outages, and support preventive, corrective, and predictive maintenance activities.
• Administer plant water chemistry and treatment programs, including sampling, testing, chemical inventory, and operating practices that support reliable steam generation.
• Ensure adherence to safety procedures, environmental permits, regulatory requirements, and company policies, addressing deficiencies and implementing corrective actions.
• Lead operator training, qualification, performance evaluations, and employee development initiatives to strengthen technical capabilities and operational performance.
• Maintain accurate operating logs, procedures, controlled documents, compliance records, and reports required for plant management and regulatory oversight.
• Implement emergency preparedness and response procedures, including readiness for equipment failures, fires, environmental incidents, and other operational emergencies.
• Interface with grid operators, utility dispatch, and other stakeholders to coordinate generation schedules, operational requirements, and power delivery.
• Supervise contractors and assigned operational projects, supporting equipment improvements, inspections, audits, and long-term asset reliability initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Plant Manager in support of safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations.

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 Operations Manager reports to the Plant Manager and supervises subordinate operations personnel. The Operations Manager coordinates with the Maintenance Manager, Compliance Coordinator, Plant Engineer, and Plant Administrator as needed in the daily operation of the plant.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

Physical demands include standing for extended periods of time, climbing multiple levels of stairs, climbing ladders over 50 feet in height, entering and exiting equipment cabs, traversing uneven or elevated surfaces, and working inside confined spaces. The role routinely requires lifting up to 50 pounds and performing tasks from elevated platforms or walkways.

Work may be performed in conditions involving dust, wood particles, fumes, high noise levels, and extreme temperatures near operating equipment. Outdoor tasks in all weather conditions are required, including in high-heat environments adjacent to biomass processing systems.

The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is mandatory and may include hard hats, safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, high-visibility clothing, steel-toe boots, flame-resistant clothing (FRC), respirators, and fall protection. Fit testing for respirators may be required. Strict smoking restrictions are enforced in and around the facility to ensure plant safety and environmental compliance.

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 Operations Manager works a standard Monday to Friday day shift schedule. This position will require extended hours, flexible shifts, weekends, and holidays as needed to support plant operations and business needs and may also require callout availability. Depending on the position, on-call status may or may not apply.

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 $130,000 to $165,000 and includes eligibility for an annual performance bonus.

Professional Expertise & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline is preferred. Relevant power generation, industrial, or military experience may be considered in lieu of formal education.
• Supervisory or management experience in power generation operations is required, preferably at a biomass or other solid-fuel power generation facility.
• Comprehensive knowledge of power plant systems, including solid-fuel combustion, boilers, steam turbines, generators, fuel handling, water treatment, and emissions control equipment.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze operating data, troubleshoot equipment and performance issues, improve plant efficiency, and implement effective corrective actions.
• Working understanding of environmental regulations, operating permits, and compliance requirements related to air emissions, water discharge, waste management, and chemical handling.
• Proven leadership skills with experience supervising, training, developing, and evaluating Operations personnel while promoting a strong safety culture.
• Experience coordinating contractors, maintenance activities, outages, and operational improvement initiatives while maintaining safety and performance standards.
• Familiarity with operations budgets, cost control, resource planning, and managing competing operational priorities in a continuous-process environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications; experience using Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) and plant data historians is preferred.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, sound judgment, and the ability to collaborate across departments, resolve operational challenges, and communicate with management and external stakeholders.
• 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.

Qualifications

Skills

Preferred

Advanced

Operations Management

Advanced

Biomass Energy Systems

Advanced

Boiler O&M

Advanced

Advanced

Environmental Health and Safety (EHS)

Advanced

Environmental Compliance and Reporting

Advanced

Advanced

Combustion

Advanced

Performance Optimization

Advanced

Maintenance Management

Advanced

Steam Turbine O&M

Advanced

Control Room Operations

Advanced

Outage Management

Advanced

Intermediate

Budgeting

Intermediate

Communication

Advanced

Education

Required

High School or better.

Preferred

Technical/other training or better in Power Plant Technology or related field.

Experience

Preferred

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline is preferred. Relevant power generation, industrial, or military experience may be considered in lieu of formal education.

Supervisory or management experience in power generation operations is required, preferably at a biomass or other solid-fuel power generation facility.

Comprehensive knowledge of power plant systems, including solid-fuel combustion, boilers, steam turbines, generators, fuel handling, water treatment, and emissions control equipment.

Demonstrated ability to analyze operating data, troubleshoot equipment and performance issues, improve plant efficiency, and implement effective corrective actions.

Working understanding of environmental regulations, operating permits, and compliance requirements related to air emissions, water discharge, waste management, and chemical handling.

Proven leadership skills with experience supervising, training, developing, and evaluating Operations personnel while promoting a strong safety culture.

Experience coordinating contractors, maintenance activities, outages and operational improvement initiatives while maintaining safety and performance standards.

Familiarity with operations budgets, cost control, resource planning, and managing competing operational priorities in a continuous-process environment.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications; experience using Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) and plant data historians is preferred.

Effective written and verbal communication skills, sound judgment, and the ability to collaborate across departments, resolve operational challenges, and communicate with management and external stakeholders.

Licenses & Certifications

Required

Driver's License

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.