Manager - Production - Pellet Plant

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Experience: 15+ yrs

Location: Nashwauk, Minnesota, United States

Job Type: Full-time

We are looking for an experienced Production Manager – Pellet Plant to lead production operations and ensure the reliability, efficiency, and availability of equipment critical to pellet production.

The role will be responsible for achieving production targets, optimizing plant performance, leading cross-functional teams, improving operational efficiency, and ensuring compliance with safety, quality, and environmental standards. The ideal candidate will bring strong experience in pelletization or similar heavy industrial operations, along with proven expertise in production management, troubleshooting, process optimization, and team leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, schedule, and oversee plant production to consistently achieve defined production and operational targets.
• Ensure optimal functioning and availability of equipment across the beneficiation and pellet plant operations.
• Monitor and analyze equipment and production performance data to identify recurring issues and drive timely resolution.
• Ensure adequate availability and effective management of raw materials and operational resources.
• Lead, develop, train, and mentor production teams comprising engineers, supervisors, and technicians.
• Build strong collaboration with mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, maintenance, and other cross-functional teams to ensure seamless plant operations.
• Evaluate plant performance and identify opportunities for process optimization, productivity improvement, and equipment upgrades.
• Identify operational bottlenecks and implement effective solutions using available resources.
• Drive improvements in specific power consumption, productivity, equipment utilization, and overall plant efficiency.
• Promote a strong culture of safety, accountability, operational discipline, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure adherence to applicable safety, environmental, quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct and support safety audits, risk assessments, and relevant training programs for production personnel.
• Optimize manpower, materials, equipment, and other resources while maintaining a strong focus on cost control and minimizing downtime.
• Develop and monitor operating budgets and ensure efficient utilization of resources.
• Prepare and review MIS reports, production performance reports, downtime analysis, and specific consumption records.
• Develop and coordinate plant shutdown plans to ensure safe and efficient execution.
• Contribute to the preparation and execution of the Annual Business Plan.
• Drive root-cause analysis, troubleshooting, and reliability improvement initiatives to enhance overall plant performance.

What Makes You a Great Fit

• 15–20+ years of experience in production and operations management within a pellet plant, beneficiation plant, steel industry, mining, or similar heavy industrial environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgy, or a related engineering discipline; a master’s degree is preferred.
• Strong practical knowledge of pelletization processes, beneficiation, plant equipment, and production operations.
• Proven experience managing large-scale production operations and leading multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong understanding of process optimization, equipment performance, reliability, and production planning.
• Demonstrated ability to identify operational bottlenecks, troubleshoot complex problems, and implement sustainable solutions.
• Strong knowledge of health, safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements applicable to heavy industrial operations.
• Experience with root-cause analysis, reliability improvement, and continuous improvement methodologies; RCM/RCA certifications are an advantage.
• Strong commercial and operational understanding, including cost management, resource optimization, downtime reduction, and energy efficiency.
• Excellent leadership, communication, coordination, and stakeholder-management skills.
• A data-driven and hands-on approach to problem-solving, decision-making, and operational excellence.
• Ability to work effectively in a high-pressure industrial environment while maintaining strong focus on safety, productivity, quality, and reliability.