Operations Support Manager

Summary   The Operations Support Manager manages, directs, and implements plant operations objectives to ensure the achievement of subsidiary systems goals, cost effectiveness and safety. Focus for short-term goals are safe on-time production, reliability, efficiency, and quality of output. Focus for long term goals are the formulation, planning and implementation of strategies in conjunction with those of the customer and the company. The Operations Support Manager will also coordinate with fuel procurement resources to purchase fuel and schedule unit output through PJM on a daily basis. This is a full-time, non-union exempt position. This position may require on-call availability, nights, weekends, and holidays. The Operations Support Manager reports to the Plant Manager and this position is located in Philadelphia, PA.   Responsibilities   Responsible for managing the operation function concurrent with business growth, introduction of new operational systems, changes to systems and components, meeting subsidiary financial objectives, ensuring safety or operations and employees, on-time production, and quality of output. Assesses and assists in upgrading the supervisory and operators’ talent and skills basis to achieve growth and meet market needs such as reduced cost, efficient production cycle times and reliable delivery. Research, plan, target, and control reductions in costs of operations. Achieves yearly financial objectives. Prepares, controls and forecasts departmental budget. Manages and assists in coordinating effort between support departments within the subsidiary. Coordinates needed support to operations areas through intra-department interface for smooth workflow and cost-efficient output. Coordinates with Fuel Procurement and energy scheduling resources to meet daily needs. Actively participates in a leadership role and in implementation of new processes and systems technology to meet the unit objectives. Enhances productivity through written and verbal communications throughout organization. Keeps supervisors apprised of scheduling, production capability, problem areas. Maintains a working rapport with all levels of employees. Adept at resolving departmental conflicts. Projects a positive image to peers and subordinates, to the customers we serve to the industry in which we participate and to the community in which we operate by producing a cost-efficient, quality output and providing effective leadership. Performs and reviews all work and assures all personnel perform work in accordance with established safety procedures. Provides work direction, orientation, training, and work review/inspection to assigned personnel for assigned shift.   Qualifications and Experience    Basic Qualifications    Minimum of 10 years’ experience with knowledge of power generation plant design and operations, steam and/or chilled water production, heat transfer, thermodynamics, and safety procedures. Minimum of 3 years’ experience in utility or industrial environment as operations supervisor or managing supervisors of non-exempt operations workers. Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or equivalent relevant experience.   Preferred Qualifications    Working knowledge of gas procurement for Combined cycle operations. Working knowledge of the PJM Day Ahead unit bid process. Diversified background with strong technical, business, and managerial skills. Excellent communications skills with the ability to interact and present challenging concepts to all levels of a client’s origination from operational management to senior leadership. Highly developed leadership skills. Experience in managing union craft personnel. Knowledge of PJM energy scheduling and sales. Prior experience purchasing and/or scheduling fuel deliveries both oil and gas. Working knowledge on NERC programs, GADs reporting.   Other Qualifications    Demonstrated history of leading and coordinating activities of others. Highly motivated individual who derives satisfaction from the delivery exceptional work product that assists the client fulfilling their needs. Ability to receive, incorporate, and grow from constructive evaluation. Demonstrated ability to put needs of the whole above individual needs.   Physical Requirements    Standing, sitting, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, walking on uneven surfaces, and grating, working from elevated platforms, scaffolding or ladders, required to lift up to and including 50 pounds and maneuver up to and including 100 pounds. Must submit to a company provided pre-employment physical and drug screening. Must possess a valid driver license in good standing in order to operate a company vehicle. Must have and maintain a driving record meeting the standards of the company. Ability to tolerate confined spaces, including manholes and varying temperatures and weather conditions. Exposed to temperature extremes, high noise level areas, high pressure steam lines, rotating equipment, and dusty/dirty environment. Required to wear PPE such as hard hat, safety glasses, safety shoes, hearing protection.