Plant Manager

Opportunity Summary

The Plant Manager provides overall leadership for the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the North Tonawanda – WGX facility. This role oversees operations, maintenance, safety, environmental programs, staffing, and financial performance while ensuring compliance with regulatory, contractual, and company requirements.

Your Scope of Responsibility

• Provide overall site leadership and governance by establishing clear expectations, reinforcing accountability, and ensuring plant policies and procedures support operational objectives, regulatory requirements, contractual obligations, and industry standards.
• Champion a proactive safety culture by promoting safe work practices, reinforcing safety expectations, and ensuring the protection of employees, contractors, visitors, and the public.
• Ensure compliance with environmental permits and applicable regulatory requirements, including management of change (MOC) processes and the timely preparation and submission of required reports and documentation.
• Direct and integrate plant operations, maintenance, safety, chemistry, training, administrative, NERC compliance, and environmental programs to support safe, efficient, and reliable operation of the cogeneration facility.
• Develop workforce staffing, qualification, and employee development strategies by maintaining required qualifications and certifications, identifying skill gaps, providing coaching, and strengthening employee capability, engagement, and retention.
• Oversee plant performance and equipment reliability, supporting operations and maintenance personnel in troubleshooting and resolving issues involving the GE Frame 6B gas turbine, HRSG, steam turbine generator, and associated balance-of-plant systems.
• Plan and execute scheduled and forced outages, coordinating work scope, schedules, contractors, resources, and costs to maximize plant reliability, availability, and operational performance.
• Serve as the primary site liaison with the owner, regulatory agencies, community stakeholders, and other external parties, maintaining productive relationships and representing the facility professionally.
• Administer applicable commercial agreements, procurement activities, and vendor relationships, including O&M, fuel supply, power sales, interconnection, and major service contracts, while ensuring contractual compliance and supplier performance.
• Manage plant financial performance by developing operating and capital budgets, monitoring expenditures, forecasting costs, and implementing cost-control practices to achieve business objectives.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance plant reliability, efficiency, operational performance, workforce effectiveness, and long-term business results.
• Carry out and complete additional special projects and tasks as needed.

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 Plant Manager reports to the Operations Director and supervises the managers, technicians, and Plant Administrator. The Plant Manager is the single point of contact between NAES and the Owner on all matters pertaining to the operation, maintenance, and commercial management of the plant.

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions

• Physical requirements include standing for extended periods of time, climbing stairs and ladders, working from elevated platforms and walkways at varying heights, and routinely lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Power plant environment that may involve entering confined spaces, crawling through narrow areas, and handling hazardous materials, with exposure to fumes, extreme temperatures, and noise.
• Work may include high heat near equipment and varying outdoor weather conditions.
• Some duties may require the use of protective equipment, which can include hard hats, safety glasses, and eye protection, air masks/respirators, ear protection, chemical suits, flame-resistant clothing (FRC), hot gloves, high-voltage protective gear, and fall protection.
• 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

This position works a standard Monday to Friday day shift schedule. This position will require extended hours, flexible shifts, weekends, holidays, and on-call availability as needed to support plant operations and business needs. 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 $160,000 to $190,000 and includes eligibility for an annual performance bonus.

Literature & Technical Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline preferred. Equivalent power generation, industrial, or military experience may be considered in lieu of formal education.
• Extensive leadership background in natural gas-fired combined-cycle or cogeneration power generation, preferably as a Plant Manager or senior plant leader, with demonstrated ability to lead operations, maintenance, and technical personnel.
• Strong knowledge of combined-cycle and cogeneration operations, plant performance, reliability, and commercial business practices within an operating power generation facility.
• Advanced technical expertise in combined-cycle plant systems and equipment, including gas turbines, HRSGs, steam turbines, generators, and balance-of-plant systems, with the ability to support complex troubleshooting and operational decision-making.
• Proven commitment to safety leadership and developing a strong safety culture.
• Comprehensive understanding of environmental compliance programs, regulatory reporting, and audit preparedness within an operating power generation facility.
• Financial management capabilities encompassing budgeting, forecasting, cost control, and capital planning.
• Ability to administer commercial contracts, service agreements, procurement activities, and vendor relationships while collaborating effectively with the owner, customers, regulatory agencies, contractors, and other stakeholders.
• Track record of leading continuous improvement initiatives that enhance plant reliability, operational performance, workforce effectiveness, and financial results.
• 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.