Title:             Plant Manager
Position Type:      Contract
Location:         Louisiana 
Reports to:        Director of Business and Operations
Status:        Exempt

Key Project Requirements:
•    10+ years of progressive leadership experience in power generation, with strong preference for combined-cycle or gas-fired facilities.
•    Proven ability to lead plant operations while fostering a strong safety culture, open communication, and a respectful, team-oriented work environment.
•    Demonstrated success building trust and credibility with plant staff through a collaborative, diplomatic leadership style.
•    Experience with large-frame GE gas turbines; GE 7HA experience preferred but not required.

Job Summary:  
NAES is seeking an experienced Plant Manager to provide leadership oversight at a combined-cycle power generation facility in Plaquemine, Louisiana. The Plant Manager is responsible for the safe, reliable, and cost-effective operation and maintenance of the facility while promoting a strong safety culture and positive employee engagement. The Plant Manager will lead plant operations, maintenance, environmental compliance, and administrative functions while serving as the primary point of contact with ownership and key stakeholders. This role requires a visible, people-focused leader who can step into an active operating environment, stabilize operations, and drive performance through collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
•    Provide overall leadership and accountability for plant operations, maintenance, safety, environmental compliance, and administrative functions.
•    Champion a strong safety and environmental culture, ensuring compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
•    Lead, coach, and develop plant personnel, fostering transparency, teamwork, and a high level of employee engagement.
•    Oversee day-to-day plant operations, work planning, staffing, and contractor activities to support safe and reliable generation.
•    Manage plant budgets, forecasting, and cost controls, ensuring disciplined financial performance and responsible resource allocation.
•    Develop and execute operational strategies aligned with plant performance goals, market conditions, and ownership objectives.
•    Serve as the primary liaison with owners, regulatory agencies, vendors, contractors, and internal leadership teams.
•    Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on reliability, efficiency, safety performance, and operational excellence.
•    Ensure appropriate staffing levels, training programs, and succession planning are in place across plant functions.
•    Communicate plant performance, risks, and key issues through regular reporting to executive leadership.
•    Represent the facility during regulatory inspections, audits, and interactions with external agencies and community stakeholders as required.

Job Requirements:
•    Proven leadership experience managing power generation plant operations, preferably in combined-cycle or gas-fired facilities.
•    Strong working knowledge of safety programs, environmental compliance, and operational best practices.
•    Demonstrated ability to lead teams through influence, collaboration, and clear communication rather than directive management.
•    Experience managing plant budgets, contractor relationships, and operational priorities in a dynamic operating environment.
•    Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and conflict-resolution skills.
•    Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage executives, regulators, and plant personnel. 

Education / Experience:
•    Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
•    10+ years of relevant power generation experience with a degree, or 14+ years without a degree.
•    Prior experience managing a combined-cycle facility strongly preferred.
•    Experience with large-frame GE gas turbines strongly preferred; GE 7HA experience considered a significant plus
•    Greenfield project experience is a plus but not required.