The North Tonawanda - WGX facility, located in North Tonawanda, New York, is a 55-megawatt combined-cycle cogeneration plant featuring a GE Frame 6 gas turbine, HRSG, and GE steam turbine generator. The facility provides efficient, reliable power generation while supporting regional energy needs and supplying power to cryptocurrency mining operations.
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.
Serving as the primary liaison with the owner, regulatory agencies, and community stakeholders, the Plant Manager drives operational excellence, workforce development, plant reliability, cost control, and continuous improvement to achieve business objectives.
Your scope of responsibility as Plant Manager includes the following primary functions: - 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. Fit testing for respirators may be required. Strict smoking restrictions apply in and around the facility.
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 Plant Manager 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.
Leadership & 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.