Head of Technical Operations

Prime 6 turns biomass into high-purity biocarbon for steelmakers and other industrial customers that are working to cut their carbon footprint. We run a fleet of thermal processing furnaces around the clock, we are growing fast, and we build and fix things ourselves. This role makes sure the plant runs safely, reliably and legally, and that it is ready for the next furnace, the next line and the next customer.

You own the physical plant: the furnaces and thermal systems, the utilities, the buildings, the maintenance program, environmental health and safety, and the capital projects that expand all of it. You are the technical authority on site, and you are expected to be on the floor every day: diagnosing a failing system, reading a P&, walking a contractor through a job, or checking a permit deadline.

You will also build the systems (maintenance planning, data, documentation) that let the plant run well without depending on any one person.

This is a hands-on leadership role. If you are more comfortable in a conference room than a control room, it is not the right fit.

• Lead the site EHS program and be accountable for its results: hazard assessments, lockout/tagout, incident investigation, training, emergency response, and a culture where people stop work when something looks wrong. You set the standard and know the details well enough to review, audit and challenge the work, whether it is done by you or by an EHS manager or specialist reporting to you (we may add that role).
• Hold stop-work authority, with a direct line to the VP of Operations and leadership on any safety or compliance concern.
• Own regulatory compliance and audit readiness with OSHA, EPA, state environmental agencies, the fire marshal and insurers, including air permits, emissions reporting, combustible dust and fire protection requirements.
• Keep permits, inspections and certifications tracked, current and documented.

• Keep the furnace fleet and supporting equipment (feedstock handling, conveying, burners and combustion systems, emissions control, packaging) safe, available and efficient.
• Build and run the maintenance program: preventive schedules, spare parts, vendor contracts, and a CMMS that people actually use.
• Move the plant from reactive to predictive maintenance using the data we already collect from furnace controls and sensors.
• Lead root cause analysis on downtime and quality events, and close the loop with operations.

• Manage plant utilities (electrical, natural gas, water, compressed air, HVAC) and the buildings, yards and infrastructure that support them.
• Drive energy efficiency and utility cost reduction per ton produced.

• Own the maintenance, facilities and EHS operating budget and the capital plan.
• Scope, bid, manage and commission capital projects, from furnace additions and burner upgrades to infrastructure expansion, on time and on budget.
• Select and manage engineering firms, contractors and equipment suppliers; negotiate contracts and service agreements.

• Lead and develop the engineering, maintenance and EHS team currently 12 people, including hiring a dedicated EHS manager or specialist as the plant grows.
• Work side by side with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain and Finance.

First 90 days: walk every system, baseline safety, downtime and maintenance data, audit open permits and compliance items, and deliver a prioritized plan.

First 12 months (targets to be set with you, from the baseline):

• Zero serious injuries; recordable rate trending down quarter over quarter
• No missed regulatory deadlines or permit exceedances
• Measurable improvement in furnace availability…