Director, Plant Operations

Kyuden Energy Partners Corporation (KEPC) is redefining what it means to be a partner to our clients throughout the energy industry. We have a career opportunity for a Director, Plant Operations. This position would work remotely with the preferred candidates being located within reasonable commutable distance of a major US airport.    

As one of the premier third-party O&M and Asset Management services providers in the energy industry, joining the KEPC organization means you’ll be joining a team in which employees are recognized as the backbone of the company.  We offer competitive compensation, a comprehensive benefits package that includes a 401K with a company match and provide a range of benefit options that will cover you and your family’s wellness needs.

Job Summary

Position is accountable for overall profitable management of plant operations, safety, compliance, and maintenance of assigned power generation facility.  Working with Plant Management teams, this position contributes to the development and implementation of operational and organizational strategies, policies and practices as it relates to the plant operations and is expected to play a significant role in long term planning including initiatives geared toward operational excellence.

Job Functions

• Drive results for strategic business operations plan through continuous improvement and leadership accountability in the following areas: safety, compliance, improving cost control, engineering efficiency, waste reduction, and quality.
• Build motivation among assigned plants to achieve plant, Owner and KEPC targets (safety, compliance, financial, etc.).
• Administering all aspects of the Operations and Maintenance Agreements to ensure all contractual obligations and deliverables are met by KEPC and the Owner.  This includes leading and supporting the pre-and-post O&M related transitional requirements and activities associated with taking on new plants.

• Manage and increase effectiveness, efficiency and communication between support and business functions (HR, IT and Finance)

• Monthly (or as-needed) review of plant costs and expenses including labor, maintenance parts & services, outside services, utilities, transportation and parts, outages, major maintenance and capital projects.
• Support assigned Plant Managers to recruit and build a high performing operations team, as well as consistently reinforce teamwork among team members.
• Maintain, interpret, and assist in enforcing collective bargaining agreements (site dependent).
• Set annual goals and objectives for responsible plant or site manager’s and complete annual performance reviews with periodic feedback sessions.
• Perform additional work or take on additional projects as may be needed or required.

• Undergraduate degree in engineering or related discipline.
• Minimum of ten years’ supervisory experience in power generation or similar continuous process environment.
• Experience developing individuals and leading teams.
• Experience of working with local agencies and county/city governments and agencies preferred.
• Experience managing union workforces preferred.
• Experience in managing multi-site locations preferred.
• Demonstrated effective communications and presentation skills.
• Must demonstrate proficiency in the use of computer hardware and applicable software.
• Must be able to perform physical requirements of the position including climbing ladders, stairs, and must be able to perform comprehensive site inspections.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities which may be representative, but not all-inclusive of those commonly associated with this position.

Technical

• Knowledge of power plants (renewable and fossil) operations and efficient operating concepts.
• Knowledgeable of Generation and Transmission & Distribution circuitry and relaying, preferred.
• Knowledge of compliance regulations, policies, standards, and procedures of all ISOs and generation markets including but not limited to NERC Reliability Standards, Environmental Compliance and Safety programs.
• Knowledge of human resources processes and legal requirements.
• Experience with presenting to Owners Management and senior leadership teams
• Knowledge of hazards involved and the safety precautions to be practiced in the operation and maintenance of power plant equipment and machinery. Work within and ensure strict adherence to all safety practices and procedures.
• Regularly evaluate the efficiency of business procedures according to organizational objectives and apply improvements.
• Evaluate overall plant performance by gathering, analyzing and interpreting data and metrics.
• Identify and target areas in which the business can improve operation.

• Knowledgeable of emerging trends in the industry and maintain trend awareness within plants.  
• Strong planning and organizational skills.
• Solid verbal and writing skills, technical and non-technical.
• Computer skills (Outlook, Microsoft Office Suite: Word, Excel, etc.).

 Behavioral

• Foster and support the KEPC corporate culture of leadership and individual development.
• Embraces compliance as strength and commitment.
• Manages multiple relationships among different stakeholders: Owners, KEPC, and third-party asset manager.

• Must be able to effectively work remotely and manage remote direct reports.

• Ability to see tasks through to completion without significant guidance.
• Remains even-handed under pressure.
• Interact and influence throughout multiple layers of the organization.
• Creates buy-in and cohesion (e.g., inclusive decision making, etc.).
• Responsive to issues and work to create solutions.
• Assess complex situations and data to process improvement opportunities.
• Optimizes the utilization and efficiency of resources.
• Manages the respective budget.
• High-Performance Standards: personal, plant, and business/organization
• Drives productivity and process simplicity across plants.
• Ability to make tough decisions and tell people no when it is appropriate.
• Flexible leadership style
• Ability to access and adapt with the team needs — based upon their unique strengths, levels of experience and individual styles and preferences.
• Coaching and mentoring experience, helping employees discover and enhance their strengths as well as taking the time to help employees improve their weaknesses.

 Work Environment – Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job.

• Remote office to include remote video conferencing
• Travel estimated at 50%
• When on-site, plant will require personnel protective equipment such as hard hats, safety glasses, safety shoes, respiratory protection, ear protection and other equipment as site conditions and procedures require.

Physical Abilities that are commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job.  The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Duties involve moving materials weighing up to 10 pounds on a regular basis such as files, books, office equipment, etc., and may infrequently require moving materials weighing up to 40 pounds.
• While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, reach and manipulate objects; mobility is also required.
• All employees will participate in the Fitness for Duty Program. This program includes a post­ offer physical examination, drug screening and post-employment drug screenings. There are extensive smoking restrictions in and around each of the facilities.