Assistant Plant Manager

LOCUS FERMENTATION SOLUTION

Title:

Assistant Plant manager

Company:

Locus Fermentation Solutions

Status:

Exempt

Reports To:

Plant Manager

Who WE are…

Locus Fermentation Solutions is a USA-Based Biotech company delivering high performance, bio-based solutions across agriculture, energy, mining, and industrial markets. We specialize in advanced fermentation and formulation technologies that push performance beyond the limits of conventional chemistry.

OUR MISSION is to redefine what's possible by using biosurfactants and microbial solutions as powerful performance amplifiers - driving superior solution performance while improving sustainability across industries.

We are looking for creative and collaborative outside-the-box thinkers who thrive in fast paced, entrepreneurial style environments. Learn more about us at Locusfs.com!

What you'll be doing:

The Assistant Plant Manager supports the Plant Manager in the safe, reliable, efficient, and cost-effective operation of the manufacturing facility. This position provides hands-on leadership across daily plant operations, production, personnel management, process engineering, maintenance, quality, environmental compliance, and continuous improvement.

The Assistant Plant Manager works collaboratively with cross-functional teams to optimize manufacturing processes, improve equipment reliability, ensure regulatory compliance, and support capital projects and operational initiatives. This role also has significant responsibility for developing, implementing, and maintaining the facility's Process Safety Management (PSM) and Mechanical Integrity programs in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements and company standards.

The Assistant Plant Manager serves as a key operational leader, providing direction and decision-making support to maintain safe, compliant, and uninterrupted plant operations in the Plant Manager's absence or as otherwise delegated.

Location: Midland, TX

Key Responsibilities:

Plant Operations and Production Management

• Partner with the Plant Manager to execute daily plant operations and production priorities in alignment with business objectives, customer requirements, safety standards, quality expectations, and cost targets.
• Support the development and execution of production plans, work schedules, staffing requirements, and resource allocation to meet operational goals.
• Maintain a visible presence on the production floor, providing hands-on leadership and ensuring manufacturing activities are performed safely and in accordance with established procedures.
• Monitor production performance, process conditions, throughput, product quality, equipment reliability, waste, and downtime; identify performance gaps and coordinate corrective actions.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret production data using scientific, statistical, and engineering methods to identify process constraints, trends, and opportunities for improvement.
• Ensure adherence to approved production methods, quality standards, operating procedures, and documentation requirements.
• Support inventory management, material flow, vendor coordination, and the efficient utilization of labor, energy, raw materials, and other plant resources.
• Act on behalf of the Plant Manager for routine operational decisions when delegated or when the Plant Manager is unavailable.

Leadership and Personnel Development

• Provide direct supervision, coaching, work direction, and performance feedback to assigned employees.
• Support staffing, onboarding, training, employee development, and performance accountability.
• Establish clear expectations for safe work practices, operational discipline, productivity, and teamwork.
• Promote a culture of employee engagement, continuous improvement, and individual accountability.

Safety, Environmental Compliance, and Process Safety Management

• Partner with Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS), Safety/Regulatory, and other appropriate resources to maintain compliance with applicable federal, state, and local safety and environmental regulations, company policies, and site requirements.
• Develop, implement, maintain, and continuously improve the facility's Process Safety Management (PSM) program in accordance with applicable OSHA requirements, company policies, and industry best practices.
• Maintain the facility's Mechanical Integrity program, including equipment inspection, testing, preventive maintenance, documentation, and corrective action tracking, as applicable.
• Lead or participate in Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs), Layers of Protection Analyses (LOPAs), Management of Change (MOC), Pre-Startup Safety Reviews (PSSRs), and other process hazard identification and risk assessment activities.
• Coordinate or oversee internal and external PSM audits, regulatory inspections, and compliance reviews; track and verify timely closure of findings and action items.
• Ensure operating procedures, process safety information, training documentation, and other required records are accurate, current, and maintained in accordance with applicable requirements.
• Lead or participate in investigations involving incidents, near misses, process deviations, equipment failures, and safety events; facilitate root-cause analysis and implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
• Reinforce safe operating practices, appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) use, hazard recognition, and employee participation in identifying and addressing unsafe conditions.

Process Engineering and Continuous Improvement

• Apply chemical or mechanical engineering principles to troubleshoot process and equipment issues, improve reliability, and optimize manufacturing performance.
• Evaluate production processes, operating conditions, equipment performance, and workflow to identify opportunities to improve efficiency, throughput, product quality, and resource utilization.
• Develop and recommend process modifications, equipment upgrades, and improvements to operating methods to reduce waste, downtime, energy consumption, and manufacturing costs.
• Plan and implement initiatives to optimize production processes using Lean, Six Sigma, structured problem-solving, statistical analysis, and other continuous improvement methodologies, as appropriate.
• Develop, update, and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs), work instructions, technical documents, and process-related training materials.
• Support technology transfer, process scale-up, and the implementation of new or modified manufacturing processes.
• Collaborate with Quality, EHS, Maintenance, Engineering, Supply Chain, Logistics, and other business partners to resolve technical and operational challenges.

Maintenance, Equipment Reliability, and Quality

• Partner with Maintenance, Engineering, and technical resources to prioritize equipment repairs, preventive maintenance, reliability improvements, and resolution of recurring equipment issues.
• Monitor equipment condition and operating performance to identify emerging reliability concerns and reduce unplanned downtime.
• Support investigations of equipment failures, process deviations, and quality issues, ensuring corrective actions are implemented and sustained.
• Support equipment selection, process design, facility layout, and technical evaluations associated with operational improvements and new manufacturing capabilities.

Capital Projects and Technical Implementation

• Scope, estimate, plan, and manage capital and process improvement projects as assigned, including projects with individual budgets of up to $500,000.
• Support the design, procurement, installation, commissioning, and startup of new equipment and process modifications.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders, contractors, vendors, and technical resources to ensure projects meet established safety, quality, schedule, budget, and performance objectives.
• Participate in project risk assessments, Management of Change (MOC), Pre-Startup Safety Reviews (PSSRs), and other required reviews associated with equipment installations and process modifications.
• Evaluate proposed capital expenditures and process upgrades based on operational needs, reliability, safety, efficiency, and expected business benefits.

Documentation, communication and Cross functional support

• Maintain accurate production records, operating metrics, technical documentation, and compliance records.
• Communicate operational performance, emerging risks, production constraints, and improvement opportunities to the Plant Manager and relevant stakeholders.
• Support the development and maintenance of operating standards, training programs, and management systems that promote consistency and operational excellence.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering required; Chemical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering preferred.
• Minimum of 5+ years' work experience in a process/chemical engineering, chemical manufacturing, plant operations, or a related industrial environment.
• Minimum of 2 years' experience directly supervising employees or leading operational teams.
• Demonstrated experience with production processes, equipment troubleshooting, process optimization, and data-driven problem-solving.
• Familiarity with OSHA and EPA regulations such as PSM (Process Safety Management)
• Experience operating plants with computer-controlled processes.
• Demonstrated experience in project leadership and data analysis preferred/required.
• Familiarity with Six Sigma, Lean, CAD and CAE software, and quality management systems is preferred.
• Familiarity with OSHA and EPA regulations such as PSM (Process Safety Management)

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work in both office and manufacturing environments, including regular time on the production floor.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and navigate stairs, platforms, uneven surfaces, and industrial work areas.
• Ability to bend, stoop, reach, climb stairs, and access equipment or work areas as needed to perform job responsibilities.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), which may include safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, hard hats, safety footwear, respirators, or other task-specific protective equipment.
• Ability to visually inspect equipment, read instruments and gauges, review technical documents, and use a computer for extended periods.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and through written and electronic communications.
• Ability to respond to operational issues, alarms, emergencies, or other time-sensitive situations as required.
• Ability to occasionally lift or move materials or equipment within the limits established by site safety policies.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Work Environment:

• Work is performed in both an office setting and an active manufacturing or chemical processing facility.
• Regular exposure to industrial operating conditions, which may include noise, heat, cold, dust, odors, chemicals, moving equipment, and varying environmental conditions.
• May require working near process equipment, pressurized systems, rotating machinery, piping, tanks, and other industrial equipment.
• Potential exposure to hazardous materials or process-related hazards, depending on assigned duties and operating conditions.
• Requires regular interaction with production personnel, maintenance teams, engineering, EHS, quality, contractors, vendors, and other stakeholders.
• May require occasional work outside normal business hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, or on-call availability to support plant operations, maintenance activities, shutdowns, startups, or emergency situations.
• Must comply with all applicable site safety, environmental, security, and emergency response requirements.
• Travel may be required occasionally for training, vendor coordination, project activities, or other business needs.

What's in it for you:

• Competitive Salary
• Medical/Dental/Vison Benefits
• 401(k) Savings Plan with Company Match
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays
• Volunteer Hours
• Annual allowance of Floating Holidays
• Continuing Education Reimbursement Policy