Production Manager

Manager, Production - Pellet Plant

Department: Commissioning & Operations

Location: Nashwauk, MN

Position Summary

The Manager, Production - Pellet Plant is responsible for overseeing all pellet plant production activities to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient operations. This role is accountable for achieving production targets, maintaining product quality standards, optimizing plant performance, and leading production teams to deliver operational excellence.

The successful candidate will drive continuous improvement initiatives, maximize equipment availability, ensure regulatory compliance, and foster a culture focused on safety, accountability, and teamwork.

Key Responsibilities:

Production Operations

• Plan, schedule, and oversee pellet plant production activities to achieve operational targets.
• Ensure optimal performance of beneficiation and pelletizing equipment.
• Monitor production performance and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and throughput.
• Ensure adequate raw material availability to support production requirements.
• Analyze operational data to identify and resolve recurring process issues.

Leadership & Team Development:

• Lead, mentor, and develop production personnel, including engineers, supervisors, and technicians.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Provide performance coaching and support employee development initiatives.
• Promote strong collaboration across production, maintenance, electrical, and instrumentation teams.

Plant Performance & Optimization

• Evaluate plant performance and recommend process improvements.
• Identify operational bottlenecks and implement corrective actions.
• Monitor and improve production efficiency and energy consumption.
• Support plant upgrades and optimization projects to improve long-term reliability and productivity.

Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all safety policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct safety audits, risk assessments, and employee training programs.
• Maintain compliance with environmental regulations and operating standards.
• Support a proactive safety culture throughout the facility.

Resource & Cost Management

• Optimize labor, materials, and operational resources to minimize downtime and control costs.
• Support budget preparation and ongoing cost management efforts.
• Identify opportunities for operational savings while maintaining production goals.

Reporting & Planning

• Prepare and present operational performance reports and KPI metrics.
• Monitor production and resource consumption data.
• Develop shutdown and maintenance coordination plans.
• Contribute to annual business planning and production forecasting activities.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or a related discipline. Advanced degrees preferred.
• 15-20 years of progressive production leadership experience within pellet plants, mineral processing, mining, steel manufacturing, or other heavy industrial environments.
• Demonstrated success managing large-scale production operations and leading cross-functional teams.

Technical Skills

• Strong understanding of pelletizing processes, equipment, and plant operations.
• Experience with process optimization methodologies and operational improvement initiatives.
• Knowledge of industry health, safety, and environmental regulations.
• Ability to analyze operational performance data and implement corrective actions.

Leadership Competencies

• Proven leadership and team-building capabilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities.
• Ability to drive accountability and operational excellence across multiple teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certifications in Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM), Root Cause Analysis (RCA), or related disciplines.
• Experience leading continuous improvement and reliability initiatives in heavy industrial operations.

Compensation

Salary Range: $150,000 - $170,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical and dental insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA) option
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, and Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off program based on years of service