Manager - Plant Operations

Designation: Manager – Plant
Operations

Reporting: CBO (Chief Business
Officer)

NoPo Nanotechnologies one of the few deep tech
companies globally that leads the research and development in the nano tubes space. The company manufactures and sells high -quality single walled carbon nano tubes using proprietary methods known as HiPCO®. These nano tubes are
extremely small and strong, with a range of useful properties such as
semi -conductivity, low density, and high conductivity. They have been used in a
variety of applications, including Li -ion batteries, space, defense, and electronics. NoPo is
currently scaling up production to meet the customer demands.   

  Job Summary: 

 As the Operations Manager, you will be
responsible for designing and overseeing all aspects of our
manufacturing operations, ensuring efficiency, quality, and safety.

You will work closely with cross -functional
teams to develop and implement strategies for scaling up production
to meet growing demand. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in
the chemical industry, strong leadership abilities, proven track record of optimizing production workflows and
drive the rapid scale -up of our organization. 

Key Responsibilities

1. Start -Up
Plant Establishment & Ramp -Up

• Lead the
  establishment of plant infrastructure, including layout, equipment
  installation, utilities, and workflow design.
  
• Develop and
  document standard operating procedures (SOPs) for nano -scale production.
  
• Support
  commissioning and validation of production equipment and clean room environments.
  
• Collaborate with
  founders, engineering, and R&D teams to transition technology from
  prototype to scalable manufacturing.
  

2. Operational Management

• Execute daily
  operations of nanomaterial synthesis, fabrication, coating, or processing
  lines.
  
• Build production
  schedules and capacity plans to meet evolving customer and investor
  timelines.
  
• Monitor KPIs for
  output, efficiency, yield, and quality.
  
• Implement digital
  systems (MES, SPC dashboards, data collection) to support growth.
  

3. Safety, Compliance & Risk
Management

• Establish a
  safety -first culture tailored to scale materials and novel processes.
  
• Develop and enforce
  EHS protocols, including controls for nano particle exposure, waste
  management, and contamination prevention.
  
• Ensure compliance
  with relevant regulatory agencies (e.g., OSHA, EPA, ISO, local
  authorities).
  
• Conduct risk
  assessments, audits, and incident reviews, lead corrective actions.
  

4. Team Building & Leadership

• Recruit, train, and
  manage a growing team of operators, technicians, and process engineers.
  
• Foster a culture of
  agility, ownership, and innovation characteristic of a start -up
  environment.
  
• Provide daily
  coaching, performance feedback, and growth opportunities.
  

5. Process Optimization &
Scale -Up

• Work closely with
  R&D to iterate and optimize manufacturing processes.
  
• Lead continuous
  improvement projects using Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies.
  
• Reduce cycle times,
  improve yield, lower costs, and enhance reliability as production scales.
  

6. Budgeting & Resource
Management

• Create and manage
  operational budgets, equipment planning, and staffing forecasts.
  
• Oversee procurement
  of critical material feedstocks, consumables, and tools.
  
• Work with supply
  chain partners to ensure costeffective sourcing.
  

Requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s or Master’s
  Degree in chemical engineering/ Nanotechnology
  

Experience

• 10+ years of Plant operations
  experience in Chemical / Specialty Chemicals / Carbon nano tubes Manufacturing
  Start -up Industries
  
• Prior experience in
  a start -up, pilot plant, or scale -up Plant environment strongly preferred.
  
• Demonstrated
  experience commissioning new equipment, establishing SOPs, and building
  teams from scratch.
  

Technical Competencies

• Hands -on knowledge
  of fabrication, nano particle synthesis, nano -coatings, or characterization
  techniques.
  
• Experience with clean room protocols (ISO 5–8), automation/controls, and contamination
  control.
  
• Familiarity with
  regulatory expectations around nano materials handling.
  
• Soft Skills
  
• Entrepreneurial
  mindset with willingness to be both strategic and hands -on.
  
• Strong leadership,
  communication, and project -management abilities.
  
• Adaptable,
  resourceful, and comfortable operating in ambiguous, fast -changing
  conditions.
  
• Excellent
  problem -solving and data -driven decision -making skills.
  

Working Conditions

• Start -up
  environment with rapid changes, evolving priorities, and hands -on
  technical work.
  
• Requires the use of
  PPE and occasional work in cleanrooms or controlled nanomaterial handling
  areas.
  
• Periodic extended
  hours during commissioning, scale -ups,or urgent production issues.
  

Benefits

• Benefits: 
  
• Competitive
  salary package commensurate with experience. 
  
• Opportunity to
  drive fast -paced growth
  in a path breaking industry 
  
• Chance to build
  relationships with the best -in -class customers working on the most
  advanced technologies using our product. These technologies range from
  silicon anodes, flexible electronics, improved water
  purification.  
  
• You will be a part
  of the solution to save the environment