Job Title: Ethanol Plant Production Manager
Department: Production / Operations
Reports to: Plant Manager
Location: Keyes, CA (In-office)
Position Overview:
Aemetis Advanced Fuels Keyes, Inc. (AAFK) owns and operates a 65-million-gallon-per-year corn-to-ethanol production plant in Keyes, California — the largest low-carbon ethanol facility in the state. The plant operates continuously, 365 days per year, and is currently executing a $35 million Mechanical Vapor Recompression (MVR) upgrade that will reduce natural gas consumption by approximately 80% and add an estimated $32 million per year in operating cash flow. AAFK is a subsidiary of Aemetis, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMTX), headquartered in Cupertino, California.
AAFK is seeking an experienced professional to oversee daily ethanol production to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable plant performance. Strong problem‑solving and decision‑making skills are essential, along with effective communication and team leadership abilities. This role leads the production team, coordinates with the quality, utilities, and maintenance teams, and drives continuous improvement to meet production, safety, environmental, and cost targets. Working closely with the Plant Manager, this individual is responsible for daily ethanol plant operations, including grind, fermentation, distillation, dehydration, solids processing, energy management, and co‑products (WDG, syrup, corn oil, CO₂). The role carries direct accountability for process optimization, product quality specification, minimizing downtime, safety coordination, and training and supervision of production staff.
The Production Manager reports directly to the Plant Manager and collaborates closely with maintenance, EHS, finance, and the corporate compliance team. The right candidate translates deep ethanol process expertise into measurable gains in yield, increased energy efficiency, and cost management.
Key Responsibilities:
· Production Optimization
o Ensure production targets for volume, yield, uptime, and efficiency are achieved.
o Monitor and analyze KPIs such as ethanol yield, DCO yield, fermentation performance, energy use, and chemical consumption.
o Lead safe plant startups, shutdowns, and rate changes.
o Evaluate new chemicals or technologies related cost savings, efficiency improvements, and carbon intensity reduction.
o Drive process AI integration for operational consistency and continuous improvement initiatives.
o Drive root cause analysis and corrective action for process upsets, yield losses, and efficiency gaps; translate findings into revised operating procedures.
· Production Management:
o Supervise production lead operators, control board operators, and shift teams.
o Serve as primary lead for hiring and training new production personnel.
o Provide coaching, training, and performance management, ensuring operators are trained in processes, equipment, procedures, and safety requirements.
o Promote accountability, teamwork, and operational discipline.
o Coordinate closely with maintenance and EHS for all plant related preventative maintenance and equipment repairs.
o Support troubleshooting of process and equipment issues.
o Drive cross-training to ensure successful team integration with quality (lab), maintenance, and safety.
· Safety & Regulatory Technical Support:
o Enforce all plant safety policies and promote a strong safety‑first culture.
o Support EHS compliance with OSHA, EPA, and state environmental regulations.
o Support plant environmental permits and reporting requirements.
o Participate in incident investigations and corrective action plans.
o Drive robust documentation and associated analysis to support RFS, LCFS, and other compliance audits or QA programs.
· Management Team Coordination
o Partner with the Plant Manager and management team to identify improvement opportunities, resolve day-to-day technical challenges, and implement best practices throughout the plant.
o Develop data-driven process analyses and action plans; review, create, and maintain associated standard operating procedures.
o Coordinate with accounting and finance to identify areas for cost improvement
Education/Experience:
· Education:
o Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Technology, Chemistry, Biology, or related field (or equivalent experience).
· Experience:
o 5-7 years of experience in manufacturing or process operations; ethanol, biofuels, or refinery experience preferred.
o 3+ years of supervisory or operations leadership experience.
o Strong understanding of continuous process manufacturing and experience working in a 24/7 plant environment.
o Knowledge of PLC/DCS control systems.
· Preferred Qualifications & Skills:
o Direct experience in a dry‑mill ethanol plant.
o Experience with OSHA PSM and environmental & safety compliance.
o Data‑driven mindset.
o Collaborative, low-ego leadership style aligned with a small, high-performance operations team.
o On‑call availability for operational issues.
A proactive individual with attention to detail; self -starter.
· Proven ability to achieve targets and manage multiple priorities under time constraints.
· Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, and interpersonal abilities.
· Strong decision-making and problem-solving aptitude.
· Experience in Microsoft Suite: Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Compensation and Perks:
· Salary Range: Based on experience.
· Comprehensive benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance.
· Generous Paid Time Off.
· 401(k) retirement plan.
Working Conditions: This is a full-time, on-site position located at the Aemetis Advanced Fuels Keyes facility in Keyes, California. The role requires regular presence in the control room and on the plant floor, and strong partnership with Plant Manager on setting priorities and implementing changes.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $125,000.00 - $135,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k) 4% Match
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Ability to Commute:
- Ceres, CA 95307 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Ceres, CA 95307: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
