Central Utility Plant Manager

Job Summary

Location: Marshall, MI

This position is responsible for overseeing, managing, and directing the day-to-day operation and maintenance activities for utility and energy-related assets located within the newly constructed Central Utility Plant (CUP) located at Ford’s Blue Oval Battery Park Michigan complex located in Marshall, MI; along with the associated distribution infrastructure needed to supply Steam, Hot Water, Chilled Water, and Cooling Water to BlueOval Battery Park Michigan. 

Plant equipment includes the following: (2) 7.8 MW Solar Taurus 70 Gas Turbine Generators with associated Rentech 160 KPPH Heat Recovery Steam Generator’s with Duct Burners and Fresh Air Firing capability, (2) 14,000 MBH Hot Oil Heaters, (4) 25,000 MBH, steam-to-hot water heat exchangers, economizers, deaerators, boiler feed water pumps, and condensate pumps.  Also included is a 14,450 ton modular chilled water plant with an associated 15-cell, 48,000-gpm modular cooling tower. Balance of plant equipment includes air compressors, water treatment systems, pumps, filters, instrumentation, PLC controls and 15/5 kV, 480 V and 125 VDC electrical systems.

Position will be located on site during the CUP’s construction, startup, and commissioning with the responsibility of ensuring that the facility and staff are ready to begin 24/7/365 operations at project completion and turnover.

Upon Commercial Operation, the Plant Manager will be responsible for performing difficult and complex services requiring a high level of independent judgment, initiative, and discretion. Work is mainly self-directed, with work results reviewed through the achievement of set goals and adherence to policies and procedures.

Key Accountabilities

• Provide weekly updates to the Manager and Director of Operations throughout the CUP construction
• Lead the interviewing and hiring of the DTE Marshall operations staff
• Participate in daily construction team meetings and oversee the quality of the CUP construction with an emphasis on the long-term operation of the facility
• Ensure all appropriate commissioning and testing activities have been performed on the CUP’s systems to facilitate a safe and efficient turnover from construction to operations
• Work with the Controls Integrator and Commissioning Agents to optimize and tune the highly automated facility for reliable and efficient operation
• Ensure that the utility assets are operated in a safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible manner while ensuring all contract deliverables are met
• Supervise and direct the daily activities of all plant staff, including an Assistant Plant Manager, Administrative Assistant, and an hourly workforce consisting of 9 Operating Engineers, a Lead Operating Engineer, and an IC&E Technician
• Directly manage 3rd party vendors and contractors
• Understand and adhere to all commercial and contractual obligations
• Act as the onsite liaison between the Company and the Customer (Ford)
• Ensure that all financial goals are met while maintaining a high level of plant reliability
• Develop and manage annual O&M budget and cost-saving measures
• Conduct employee safety training
• Develop and maintain a close working relationship with all stakeholders including key customer personnel
• Perform all other related duties as assigned

Minimum Education & Experience Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent and at least 7 years supervisory or managerial experience in the operation, maintenance and administration of powerhouses, utility systems, chemical processes, or similar plant assets, or
• Associate’s degree or industry-recognized certificate (i.e., the completion of a core group of course designated by the institution) in a related discipline and at least 5 years supervisory or managerial experience in the operation, maintenance and administration of powerhouses, utility systems, chemical processes, or similar plant assets, or
• Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline and at least 3 years supervisory or managerial experience in the operation, maintenance and administration of powerhouses, utility systems, chemical processes, or similar plant assets

Other Qualifications

Preferred:

• Experience leading and supervising a unionized workforce is highly desired
• An understanding of the technology utilized by the customer and how it relates to the commodities and services provided by DTE Vantage
• Knowledge of the regulatory processes under which the facility operates
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• Working knowledge of powerhouse equipment and systems, including but not limited to, chillers, electrical distribution, heat exchangers, hot water distribution, chemical treatment equipment, transformers, motors, pumps, piping/valves, instrumentation, control systems, etc.
• An understanding of energy efficiency practices and energy conservation techniques
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with an ability to communicate effectively at all levels of staff and management.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Experience with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS)
• Work independently or as part of a team without significant supervision
• Ability to develop and manage operating & maintenance budgets
• Promote and maintain strong, positive relationships with coworkers, suppliers, contractors, vendors, and customers
• Ability to develop and maintain productive relationships with both a functional and business leader, who collaborate on employee issues and decisions (including performance management, compensation, and development)

Physical Demands & Working Conditions

The physical demands characterized here epitomize those that must be met by an employee to properly perform the integral functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. In order to properly perform the integral functions of this job, the employee is:

• Occasionally stand or walk and stoop or kneel
• Frequently sit
• Frequently lift objects of up to 10 pounds in weight. Occasionally lift or move onjectos of up to 25 pounds in weight
• Talk or hear, both in person and by telephone; use wrists, hands and/or fingers in a repetitive motion; and reach with hands and arms extensively 
• Use computers with exposure to video display terminals; and some repetitive motion associated with data entry, the use of a computer mouse, and while using other office equipment
• Possess the following vision requirements: close, color, distance, peripheral, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus

Work both in a business office setting and a plant site. Occasionally be exposed to outside weather conditions, including wet and/or himid conditions, and may work near moving mechanical parts and/or machinery. Occasionally be exposed to fumes or airborne particles and vibration. Be in a work environment that is usually moderat but may become loud at the plant site

Additional Information

Incumbents may engage in all or some combination of the activities and accountabilities, and utilize a variety of the competencies cited in this description depending upon the organization and role to which they are assigned. This description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by incumbents in this job. It is not intended as an all-inclusive list of accountabilities or responsibilities, nor is it intended to limit the rights of supervisors or management representatives to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision.