Position: Operations Manager

Department: SD OpCO LLC

Reports to: General Manager

Location: Brookings, SD

Classification: Exempt

Annual Salary Range: $120,000 to $135,000

Annual Bonus Potential: 10%

Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401k with match, and professional development opportunities.

Company Description

SD OPCO LLC partners with local dairy farmers, state, and federal agencies, providing a sustainable energy source that benefits the dairy, the company, and actively reduces greenhouse gases emitted to the atmosphere.

Position Summary

The Operations Manager is responsible for the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of the renewable natural gas (RNG) production facility and related assets. This role provides leadership and oversight of daily plant operations, maintenance activities, environmental compliance, personnel management, contractor coordination, and operational performance.

The Operations Manager ensures compliance with all applicable safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements while driving continuous improvement initiatives that maximize plant reliability, productivity, and profitability.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Direct and oversee daily operation of the RNG facility, digesters, gas upgrading systems, utility systems, feedstock handling, and associated infrastructure.
• Ensure plant operations are conducted safely, efficiently, and in accordance with company policies and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and implement operating procedures, work instructions, and best practices.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and drive operational improvements to meet production goals.
• Coordinate operational activities to maximize uptime, reliability, and system efficiency.
• Lead root cause investigations for operational issues and implement corrective actions.

Maintenance and Reliability

• Partner with maintenance personnel to ensure preventive and predictive maintenance programs are effectively executed.
• Support planning and scheduling of maintenance shutdowns and major repairs.
• Monitor equipment performance and reliability to minimize downtime and reduce maintenance costs.
• Assist with capital improvement projects and equipment upgrades.

Environmental, Health, and Safety

• Champion a culture of safety and ensure compliance with all company, local, state, and federal safety requirements.
• Ensure adherence to OSHA, environmental, air quality, and operational permit requirements.
• Lead incident investigations and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Conduct regular safety meetings, audits, inspections, and risk assessments.
• Promote safe work practices and accountability at all organizational levels.

Team Leadership and Personnel Management

• Supervise, coach, and develop plant operations personnel.
• Establish performance expectations and provide ongoing feedback and training.
• Manage staffing schedules to ensure adequate operational coverage.
• Foster teamwork, employee engagement, and a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Support recruiting, onboarding, and workforce development initiatives.

Budgeting and Financial Management

• Assist in developing and managing operating budgets.
• Monitor expenditures and identify opportunities for cost control and efficiency improvements.
• Review vendor agreements, service contracts, and procurement activities.
• Support the General Manager with forecasting, reporting, and operational planning.

Regulatory and Compliance Management

• Ensure compliance with permits, operating requirements, environmental regulations, and reporting obligations.
• Coordinate regulatory inspections and respond to agency inquiries as needed.
• Maintain accurate operational and compliance records.
• Support audits and regulatory reviews.

Stakeholder Coordination

• Build and maintain positive working relationships with dairy partners, vendors, contractors, consultants, and regulatory agencies.
• Coordinate operational activities involving third-party service providers and contractors.
• Represent the facility in a professional manner with internal and external stakeholders.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance safety, productivity, reliability, and environmental performance.
• Utilize operational data and performance metrics to drive decision-making.
• Lead initiatives supporting operational excellence and long-term asset performance.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Industrial Technology, Environmental Science, Operations Management, or a related technical field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive operational leadership experience in industrial manufacturing, energy production, wastewater treatment, biogas/RNG facilities, agriculture, utilities, chemical processing, or a related industry.
• Minimum of 3 years of operations management experience.
• Experience managing safety programs and regulatory compliance requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience operating anaerobic digestion, biogas, renewable natural gas, wastewater treatment, or agricultural processing facilities.
• Knowledge of mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, and process control systems.
• Experience with preventive maintenance systems and asset management programs.
• Experience working with environmental permits and compliance reporting.
• Project management experience in industrial environments.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong leadership and team development skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced operational environment.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making capabilities.
• Ability to interpret technical documents, engineering drawings, and operational data.
• Knowledge of industrial safety practices and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational and planning abilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and computerized maintenance and operational systems.
• Ability to build productive relationships across all levels of the organization.

Physical Requirements: Ability To:

• Work in both office and industrial plant environments.
• Walk, climb stairs, climb ladders, and navigate uneven terrain.
• Occasionally lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Respond to operational emergencies outside normal business hours when necessary.

Work Environment

This position operates in a combination of office and outdoor environments. The role may be exposed to moving mechanical equipment, elevated work areas, varying temperatures, dust, noise, and other conditions common to industrial processing facilities. Compliance with all safety policies and PPE requirements is mandatory.