Plant Operations Manager I CO₂ Facility

Plant Operations Manager - CO₂ Facility

Location: Maricopa, AZ
Employment Type: Full-time, On-site
Compensation: Competitive salary + benefits + equity

About Our Client

Our client is building a next-generation CO₂ infrastructure platform designed to replace a fragile, centralized supply chain with a distributed, modular network. Their model captures biogenic CO₂ from renewable natural gas (RNG) facilities, purifies it to beverage-grade quality, and delivers it locally through short-haul logistics. This approach creates a resilient, scalable utility for essential industries.

Role Overview

The Plant Operations Manager will lead the commissioning, startup, and long-term operations of a new CO₂ production facility in Maricopa, AZ. This is a hands-on leadership role focused on building operational systems, ensuring safety and reliability, and managing infrastructure assets that form the backbone of a growing distributed network.

Key Responsibilities

Commissioning & Startup

• Oversee commissioning and startup of the facility, working closely with engineers, contractors, and operators.
• Validate control systems, troubleshoot equipment, and establish operational discipline from day one.
• Develop SOPs and best practices for replication at future sites.

Operations Management

• Own daily operations of CO₂ processing systems, including purification, liquefaction, storage, and loading.
• Hire, train, and lead plant operators; foster a strong safety and performance culture.
• Monitor production metrics and optimize throughput, energy efficiency, and uptime.
• Coordinate with RNG partners, logistics providers, and internal teams for seamless product flow.

Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Serve as on-site authority for safety, environmental compliance, and product quality.
• Ensure adherence to OSHA, EPA, and company standards.
• Maintain beverage-grade CO₂ quality specifications.

Maintenance & Reliability

• Implement preventive and corrective maintenance programs to maximize reliability.
• Manage contractors, spare parts inventory, and vendor relationships.
• Lead root-cause investigations and continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• Experience: Minimum 7 years in industrial plant operations (industrial gases, RNG/biogas, midstream gas processing, or chemical processing).
• Leadership: At least 3 years in a plant or operations leadership role with accountability for safety, production, and maintenance.
• Technical Skills: Strong foundation in process systems, cryogenics, gas handling, PLC/SCADA systems, and instrumentation.
• Proven success commissioning or scaling new facilities.
• Ability to build and lead high-performing teams.
• Education: Bachelor's degree in engineering or related technical field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• HAZWOPER certification preferred (training available if not certified).

What Success Looks Like

• Facility commissioned and operating safely at or above target production.
• Preventive maintenance and safety systems fully implemented.
• High-performing operations team executing to standard.
• Reliable coordination with RNG and logistics partners.
• Operational documentation ready for replication at future sites.

Why This Opportunity?

• Lead the launch of a first-of-its-kind CO₂ infrastructure facility.
• Build systems and standards that will scale nationwide.
• Competitive compensation, benefits, and growth potential as the network expands.

Next Steps

If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit your resume and a summary of your experience in industrial plant operations and infrastructure leadership.