The Lordstown Energy Center is a natural gas-fired combined-cycle power plant located in Lordstown, Ohio. It features two Siemens SGT6-8000H combustion turbines and advanced air-cooled generators. The facility includes NEM triple-pressure reheat heat recovery steam generators and a Siemens SST6-5000 condensing turbine with a hydrogen-cooled generator, designed to optimize efficiency while supporting the regional power grid. Additional infrastructure, such as a 14-cell cooling tower and emissions control systems, underscores its commitment to reliable energy generation and environmental stewardship.

Opportunity Summary

The Operations Manager will play a pivotal role in optimizing plant performance and efficiency, ensuring that thermal and electrical outputs consistently meet or exceed industry standards while maintaining strict compliance with environmental regulations. This role involves directing daily operations, collaborating with maintenance teams, and managing training programs to enhance personnel effectiveness. Additionally, the Operations Manager will play a key role in budget preparation and reporting, ensuring the facility operates smoothly and adheres to company policies and safety standards.

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

Ensure that thermal and electrical outputs are maintained at maximum levels and efficiencies, continuously monitoring, and improving plant performance to meet or exceed performance targets. Direct plant operations to maintain generating requirements and efficiency while ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal environmental standards. Provide guidance to the Maintenance Manager regarding equipment conditions and necessary maintenance activities; review and offer operational input on maintenance and modification projects, coordinating with maintenance to minimize outage time. Collaborate with the Project Energy Manager to schedule electrical production and fuel procurement, communicating any disruptions to electrical production or fuel consumption. Coordinate with the Energy Manager and owner regarding all scheduled and forced outages and required activities. Investigate all forced outages, operating incidents, and abnormalities to improve equipment availability and minimize maintenance requirements. Report normal, abnormal, or emergency plant conditions to the Plant Manager, taking necessary corrective actions in accordance with established policies or at the Plant Manager's direction. Ensure the water chemistry program is properly implemented, including testing, inspections, and maintenance. Provide guidance to the Operations and Maintenance Team (OMT) in administering the chemistry program. Prepare operating department budgets and make recommendations to the Plant Manager regarding operating expenses. Ensure compliance with all environmental regulatory requirements, including those from FERC and NERC. Oversee the training and qualifications of all operations personnel. Maintain the Training Manual, ensuring that operator training programs are effective, appropriate, and consistently applied. Prepare and continually review procedures necessary for operator qualification documents. Prepare and maintain the plant Operations Manuals and necessary procedures for plant operation. Prepare required reports in a timely manner and oversee the daily upkeep of essential plant logs and records. Adhere to all safety and environmental policies, procedures, and rules, participating in relevant training. Follow all company policies and expectations, promoting the Company’s values and positively affecting morale. Sustain the morale and motivation of operations personnel, addressing employee concerns as they arise. In conjunction with site and corporate labor relations, administer and manage the union contract and company policies. Assist with the recruitment, screening, and hiring of operating personnel. Complete other tasks as requested by the Plant Manager.

NAES Safe

Safety is a core value of NAES and as a condition of employment, all employees are expected to be 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. This includes, but is not limited to, the following functions:

Conduct/Support Regular Safety Meetings (at least monthly). Address Safety at all Group Meetings. Conduct Inspections and Observations: establish within the department a regular inspection of the work area and a safety observation process of work being performed. Establish and lead these activities following any rules, requirements or guidance established in your business unit, group, or division. Involve all NAES teammates in the activities. Analyze result, write work orders, train, and educate to eliminate hazards, at-risk behavior and meet company regulatory requirements. Conduct Regular Observation Tours: Conduct no less than two safety observation tours of high-risk activities e.g., confined space to verify that employees are performing the work in accordance with safe practices, company procedures and OSHA regulations. Regular and Frequent Contacts: conduct one-on-one contact sessions with workers to discuss safety issues, communicate expectations and coach safe behaviors, e.g., whether the employee is wearing all required personal protective equipment. Respond to Incidents: respond to all safety-related incidents including, but not limited to injuries, incidents and near misses; write a report that explains what happened, identify the cause, and recommend corrective action following any established business unit or division practice. Follow up as necessary to ensure that corrective action is taken.

Working Relationships

The Operations Manager reports to the Plant Manager and supervises subordinate operations personnel. This role involves collaborating with the Administrative Assistant, Maintenance Manager, Plant Engineer, and EHS Manager to ensure smooth daily plant operations. Together, they work to maintain efficiency and safety standards within the facility.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

Physical requirements include the possibility of standing for extended periods of time, stair and ladder climbing and lifting up to 50 pounds. Protective equipment must be worn in the performance of some duties (e.g., hard hats, safety glasses, air masks, ear protection, chemical suits, hot gloves, and high voltage protective equipment, etc.). There are extensive smoking restrictions in and around the facility.

Fitness for Duty

All employees will participate in the Fitness for Duty Program. This program includes a post-offer physical examination and drug screening and post-employment random drug screening. 

Work Schedule

This position offers a Monday to Friday work schedule, during regular dayshift hours. Position requires extended working hours and varied shifts with the possibility of weekend and holiday work, as required by schedules, workload, and plant conditions. "On call" status will be required. Some travel may be involved to participate in Manager, Owner, User Group, or other offsite meetings.

Compensation

The initial starting compensation will range from $145,000 to $170,000 and will include an annual performance bonus.

Job Qualifications

We are seeking a candidate who has extensive technical power plant and leadership experience with a work history that demonstrates a pattern of accomplishments and advancement.

Bachelor of Science degree in engineering or a related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or equivalent. Relevant work experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis. Senior-level power plant operations and management experience, including supervisory roles with operations personnel, preferably with union experience. Proven expertise in optimizing plant performance and enhancing operational efficiency while implementing best practices in safety and environmental management. Thorough understanding of power plant operations, with strong knowledge of gas and steam turbine generating equipment and a working knowledge of plant engineering and maintenance functions. Extensive experience leading diverse teams, conducting performance evaluations, and providing mentorship and training to enhance staff skills and promote collaboration. Significant knowledge of business principles and practices in power-generating facilities, particularly independent power producers, along with outage planning experience. Demonstrated expertise in environmental management and budget development, including a working knowledge of accounting practices related to operations budgets and rotating equipment. Strong experience with NERC compliance and a commitment to the health and safety of site employees and contractors. Excellent oral and written communication skills, capable of conveying complex technical information clearly to diverse audiences, including senior management and plant personnel. Results-oriented problem solver, motivator, and team builder with strong leadership skills and a proven track record of managing change initiatives to enhance performance. Ability to administer company policies, procedures, and the site Collective Bargaining Agreement, while recognizing operations problems and directing timely resolutions. Strong computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office. Must possess and maintain a valid motor vehicle operator's license at all times.

About NAES

NAES Corporation is the leading provider of operations, maintenance, and engineering services for energy facilities. We have established ourselves as a reliable partner for clients in North America and internationally, offering services across power generation, oil and gas, and renewable energy sectors. Additionally, our growing family of companies enables us to address the entire life cycle of power generation and other industrial plants.

NAES is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. It is the practice of NAES to seek employees of the highest quality and to select individuals on the basis of merit and competence, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status or affiliation protected under USERRA, or any other basis of discrimination prohibited by applicable local, state and federal law.