The Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing daily ethanol production operations to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable plant performance. This role leads production teams, coordinates with maintenance and quality functions, and drives continuous improvement to meet production, safety, environmental, and cost objectives. The Operations Manager reports to the Plant Manager.

Production & Operations: • Oversee day‑to‑day ethanol plant operations, including grind, fermentation, distillation, dehydration, solids processing, and co‑products (DDGS, syrup, corn oil, CO₂). • Ensure production targets for volume, yield, uptime, and efficiency are met. • Coordinate shift schedules, staffing, and operating priorities. • Lead safe plant startups, shutdowns, and rate changes. Safety & Environmental Compliance: • Enforce all safety policies and promote a strong safety‑first culture. • Ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, and state environmental regulations. • Participate in incident investigations and corrective action plans. • Support plant environmental permits and reporting requirements. Team Leadership: • Supervise production supervisors, lead operators, and shift teams. • Provide coaching, training, and performance management. • Ensure operators are trained in equipment, procedures, and safety requirements. • Promote accountability, teamwork, and operational discipline. Process Optimization: • Monitor KPIs such as ethanol yield, fermentation performance, energy use, chemical consumption, and downtime. • Identify and implement process improvements and cost‑reduction opportunities. • Support Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement initiatives. Maintenance & Reliability Coordination • Work closely with Maintenance to prioritize equipment repairs and preventive maintenance. • Support troubleshooting of process and equipment issues. • Minimize unplanned downtime through strong operational coordination. Quality Assurance: • Ensure ethanol and co‑products meet quality specifications. • Support QA/QC programs, documentation, and audits. • Maintain compliance with GMP, HACCP, or customer quality standards as applicable. Required Qualifications: • Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Industrial Technology, Chemistry, or related field (or equivalent experience). • 5+ years of experience in manufacturing or process operations; ethanol or biofuels experience preferred. • 2+ years of supervisory or operations leadership experience. • Strong understanding of continuous process manufacturing. • Experience working in a 24/7 plant environment. Preferred Qualifications: • Direct experience in a dry‑mill ethanol plant. • Knowledge of PLC/DCS control systems. • Experience with OSHA PSM and environmental compliance. • Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma experience. Skills & Competencies: • Strong safety leadership • Operational and technical expertise • Problem‑solving and decision‑making skills. • Effective communication and team leadership • Data‑driven mindset Work Environment: • Industrial manufacturing setting • Rotating or extended hours as needed. • On‑call availability for operational issues

• Insurance: Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision plans. • Retirement: 401(K) with company matching. • Bonus: Performance-based annual incentive program. • PTO: Generous Vacation/Personal Time Off and Holiday pay. • Relocation: Assistance available for highly qualified candidates.