Operations Manager in Avonmouth, Bristol

Astute's Strategic Growth Team is partnering with an established renewable energy developer specialising in anaerobic digestion and biomethane-to-grid facilities to recruit an Operations Manager for its new-build biomethane plant in Avonmouth, Bristol.

This permanent, site-based role offers a salary of £70,000 to £90,000 plus a discretionary performance bonus, private medical insurance and a 4% employer pension contribution.

If you're an experienced Operations Manager with a background in process plant operations, renewable energy, anaerobic digestion or gas processing, and want the opportunity to build and lead the operational function of a major new-build biomethane facility, submit your CV to apply today.

Reporting to the Project Delivery Director, you will:

• Lead operational readiness throughout construction and commissioning, providing input into detailed design reviews, safety studies, operating procedures and plant handover.

• Establish and lead the operational management team, developing operating procedures, maintenance strategies, performance monitoring systems and operational budgets.

• Manage external Operations & Maintenance (O&M) contractors, ensuring contractual compliance, operational performance, plant availability and delivery against agreed KPIs.

• Oversee feedstock logistics, biomethane production and gas-to-grid operations, including consumables, spares, utilities and associated off-take arrangements.

• Take full ownership of plant operations following handover, ensuring compliance with environmental permits, COMAH, DSEAR and HSE requirements while supporting the development of future biomethane facilities.

To be considered, you must have:

• 10+ years' experience in process plant or energy operations, including several years in an Operations Manager or Plant Manager position, ideally across AD/Biogas projects.

• Proven experience bringing a new process or energy plant into operation, including operational readiness, commissioning and handover from construction.

• Experience managing O&M contractors or outsourced plant operations under performance-based contracts.

• Working knowledge of UK environmental permitting, COMAH, DSEAR and HSE requirements within process or energy plant operations.

• A degree, HNC/HND in Engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent operational experience, alongside experience recruiting and leading operational teams.

It would be an advantage, but is not essential, to have:

• Experience in anaerobic digestion, biogas upgrading, biomethane production or gas-to-grid operations, including Green Gas Support Scheme reporting.

• NEBOSH, IOSH, CIWM WAMITAB Level 4 or asset management qualifications, alongside experience using computerised maintenance management systems.

• Salary: £70,000 to £90,000 per annum

• Contract: Permanent, full-time

• Working pattern: Site-based, with regular UK travel and occasional overnight stays

• Location: Avonmouth, Bristol

• Benefits: Discretionary performance bonus, full private medical insurance, Bupa Cashplan and 4% employer pension contribution

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