Pellet Mill Manager - PK Wood Pellet

Position: Pellet Mill Plant Manager

Company: PK Wood Pellet

Location:   Newbury, Vermont

Compensation Range: $80,000 - $100,000 (commensurate with experience)

About the Company

PK Wood Pellet LLC will establish a wood pellet manufacturing facility in Wells River, Vermont, designed to transform local low-value wood byproducts into premium heating fuel for the bulk delivery market. Our operation will create a circular economy by converting sawmill waste that would otherwise be disposal problems for local sawmills into clean, renewable energy pellets.

Position Overview

PK Wood Pellet is seeking a hands-on, driven Pellet Mill Manager to lead day-to-day operations of a new, high-efficiency wood pellet manufacturing facility. This is a unique opportunity to play a key leadership role in launching and operating a manufacturing operation from the ground up.

The Pellet Mill Manager will be responsible for building and managing a safe, productive, and quality-focused operation from startup through full-scale production. The ideal candidate is a practical leader who thrives in a fast-paced industrial environment and enjoys balancing team leadership with technical problem-solving.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee all plant operations including production, maintenance, staffing, and logistics
• Ensure consistent production of high-quality, low-ash wood pellets for the bulk delivery market
• Lead, train, and develop a team of operators, maintenance staff, and equipment operators
• Establish and enforce plant safety programs, procedures, and culture
• Monitor and improve plant efficiency, uptime, throughput, and overall operational performance
• Coordinate feedstock supply, drying, pelletizing, and storage operations
• Manage preventative maintenance planning, troubleshooting, and equipment reliability
• Track production metrics, operating costs, and performance against operational targets
• Collaborate with ownership on startup activities, commissioning, and continuous improvement initiatives

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing operations in a manufacturing, industrial, or processing environment
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to build, motivate, and manage teams
• Hands-on management style with a willingness to work directly on the plant floor
• Experience with mechanical systems, material handling equipment, or industrial process equipment
• Demonstrated commitment to workplace safety and safe operating practices
• Ability to succeed in a startup environment requiring adaptability, resourcefulness, and decisiveness
• Experience in wood products, biomass, feed mills, forestry products, or similar industries is strongly preferred

Why Join PK Wood Pellet?

• Opportunity to lead a new, modern manufacturing facility from startup through growth
• Key leadership role with direct impact on operations and company success
• Collaborative and entrepreneurial environment
• Competitive compensation based on experience
• Health insurance with generous company subsidy
• Dental Insurance
• 401 (K) retirement plan