Job Title: General Manager: Sitos Treehouse Plant
Status: ☒ Exempt-Full-Time
Department: Facility Operations
Salary Range: $92,000-120,000
Location: Delano, CA
Job Summary:
We are seeking a highly capable Plant General Manager to oversee the ongoing operations of our industrial biochar production facility in Tulare County. This role requires a leader with experience in industrial operations, budgeting, staff professional development, productivity, maintenance, and project management.
We are principally interested in hands-on leaders from industrial fields related to food processing, power generation, or oil and gas who are passionate about operational excellence. You will lead many aspects of the remaining facility build-out, including contractor oversight, budgeting, and compliance. This individual will manage daily plant functions, ensuring safety, equipment reliability, production quality, and regulatory compliance. The Plant General Manager will have direct supervision of Plant Supervisors, and indirect supervision of all personnel assigned to the operations such as plant operators.
Essential Functions:
We have structured this role to offer a diverse set of responsibilities that will provide significant career development:
1. Supervisory Functions
- Recruit, interview, hire, and onboard facility personnel and subsequent promotions
- Along with Shift Supervisors, administers employee performance evaluations, and monitors employee performance
- Directly supervises site leadership, including Shift Supervisors, maintenance leads, and additional staff
- Recommend appropriate corrective actions and performance improvements for staffing.
- Plan and review daily and weekly work schedules and monitor staffing needs.
- Promotes continuous improvement and ensures safety training of all staff and work environment is in compliance with safety standards.
- Plan, direct, and coordinate the overall plant operations to assure compliance.
2. Safety, Compliance, and Environmental Oversight (Focus on Training and Learning)
- Ensure full compliance to safety, company policies, environmental, and air board regulations.
- Develop, lead and implement safety protocols during both construction and operational phases
- Coordinate training and ensure all assigned employees are aware of and comply with company and government policies, procedures, and regulations
- Address and resolve any hazards or violations proactively.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure safe, effective site operations.
- Interpret and understand the safety contents of technical manuals, specifications, blueprints, layouts and schematics
3. Construction and Commissioning (Focus on Project Delivery)
- Lead facility build-out into commissioning.
- Managing project scope, schedule, and budget; provide regular updates to stakeholders.
- Oversee day-to-day construction activities and coordinate with contractors, engineers, equipment vendors, service providers, and permitting agencies to ensure safe execution, regulatory compliance, and achievement of project milestones.
- Lead facility commissioning activities and startup planning by developing SOP’s, OTMs, and commissioning and operational readiness plans.
- Identify and resolve operational, mechanical, and process issues during startup.
- Ensure successful transition from construction to routine operations.
4. Plant Operations & Production Management: (Focus on Efficiency)
- Oversee day-to-day plant operations, optimizing efficiency, and minimizing downtime.
- Manage equipment setup, calibration, preventative maintenance schedules, and troubleshooting techniques.
- Track key performance indicators (KPIs), analyze performance data, and implement continuous improvement strategies.
- Develop and implement operating procedures to improve productivity, quality, and consistency.
- Coordinate feedstock receiving, processing, production, storage, and material handling activities.
- Manage production schedules and staffing levels to meet operational objectives.
- Establish and maintain inventory controls for feedstock, finished products, and consumables.
- Prepare operational reports and provide regular updates on plant performance, production metrics, and improvement initiatives.
- Oversee plant sanitation activities to ensure ongoing cleanliness and compliance.
5. Team Leadership & Development:
- Build and retain a cross-functional operations team of Shift Supervisors and Operators focused on collaboration, performance and long-term success.
- Set KPIs, promote accountability, and foster a results-driven culture for unit operators.
- Collaborate with external partners to facilitate workforce training and job-readiness programs.
- Foster a culture of positivity, continuous learning, effective communication and problem-solving
- Maintain a safe working environment by enforcing discipline as necessary and ensuring compliance with all governmental regulations
6. Administrative and Operational Oversight
- Manage operational scheduling, payroll approvals, and internal reporting.
- Maintain organized records for safety training, production data, inventory controls for feedstock, finished products, biochar lab results, equipment logs, and consumables. (Ex. Fuel Use logs, electricity, Runtime Logs, etc.)
- Manage equipment lease coordination and vendor account oversight to support operations.
- Prepare operational reports and provide regular updates on plant performance, production metrics, and improvement initiatives.
- Ensure workplace organization, cleanliness, and readiness for audits or inspections.
7. Other duties as assigned
Knowledge, Skill and Experience:
Minimum Education | License Required:
- Valid CA driver’s license with good driving record
- Diploma or equivalent in Mechanical Engineering, Business Administration or a related field (Bachelor’s degree preferred).
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in biochar production, pyrolysis systems, or chemical processing.
- Experience in food processing, biomass management, power generation, or oil production fields
- Bilingual / Biliterate English/Spanish a plus.
Experience:
- 10+ years of experience in industrial production operations, soil science, or construction management
- Experience in delivering projects on time and within budget
Knowledge, Skills, and Ability:
- Ability and willingness to learn and manage construction processes, permitting, and project scheduling tools (e.g., MS Project, Primavera).
- Process flow, material handling, and production optimization.
- Inventory management and logistics coordination.
- Mechanical aptitude with working knowledge of industrial machinery.
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, P&IDs, site plans, and technical specifications.
- Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills.
- Experience with environmental compliance and safety procedures.
- Ability to work flexible schedule, extended hours during the day, weekends as needed.
- Report preparation and performance tracking.
- Microsoft Office Suite proficiency (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
- Ability to work independently, and onsite at a remote facility.
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to push, pull, carry, and lift up to a minimum of 50 lbs, and the ability to climb ladders
- Stand, walk, and perform repetitive tasks for extended periods.
- Manual dexterity sufficient to reach, grasp, hold, handle items, and work with fingers, wrists, elbows, and shoulders
- Clear vision (close and distant), peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to focus
- Hearing adequate for working safely around machinery, vehicles, and other equipment and crews
- Work in environments with exposure to dust, biochar particles, and industrial noise.
Work Environment:
- Industrial setting, remote facility
- Outdoors exposed to changing weather conditions, such as cold, fog, rain, heat, dust, wind, sun, etc.
- Moderate to high noise levels typical of industrial equipment and tools.
- Entrepreneurial environment focused on innovation and sustainability.
- Independent work environment with a focus on collaboration and continuous improvement.
Benefits:
- Insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision and Life)
- 401(K)
- Paid Holiday, Vacation, and PTO
Our Sitos Commitment to You:
This position is not limited to the responsibilities listed above. Team members will have the opportunity to contribute to a variety of Sitos Group initiatives as we continue expanding our biochar manufacturing footprint.
Sitos Group is an equal opportunity employer committed to building an inclusive, supportive, and diverse team. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, regardless of age, ancestry, race, color, religion, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, genetic information, medical condition, or military/veteran status.
There is significant room for growth as we scale our operations and bring more biochar facilities online. We’re excited to meet those who apply—and for those who join us, we can’t wait to see how you’ll help shape the future of our company.
Pay: $92,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Do you have experience in Biochar production, pyrolysis systems, or chemcial processing?
Education:
Experience:
- Management: 10 years (Preferred)
Language:
License/Certification:
Work Location: In person
