The Vice President – Plant Operations and Utilities is a critical executive role responsible for the strategic oversight and efficient management of all plant utilities, infrastructure systems, and operational support services across manufacturing or production sites. This role leads initiatives in reliability, energy optimization, infrastructure modernization, and regulatory compliance, ensuring operational excellence across complex utility and support systems.
The ideal candidate combines strong engineering knowledge, plant operations experience, and leadership capabilities to manage the full lifecycle of mechanical, electrical, water, and energy systems in a highly regulated or high-performance industrial setting.
Define and lead the long-term strategy for plant operations and utilities infrastructure across all sites.
Implement best-in-class asset management, operational procedures, and energy conservation practices.
Drive standardization of systems, documentation, and KPIs across plants to ensure consistency and efficiency.
Oversee the operation, maintenance, and upgrade of all critical utility systems including:
Steam and hot water systems
Chilled water systems and cooling towers
Compressed air, vacuum, and nitrogen systems
Power distribution and backup generation
Wastewater treatment and water supply systems
Ensure reliability, redundancy, and capacity to support uninterrupted manufacturing or research operations.
Lead utility infrastructure capital projects, including upgrades, expansions, and new installations.
Develop and manage multi-year capital plans for utility systems across the portfolio.
Collaborate with engineering, finance, and project management teams to ensure project success.
Champion utility energy optimization, peak load management, and demand-side reduction strategies.
Support carbon reduction and net-zero energy initiatives in alignment with corporate ESG goals.
Integrate energy recovery, automation, and advanced metering systems to reduce OPEX and improve resilience.
Ensure all utility systems meet or exceed compliance with local, state, federal, and industry standards (e.g., OSHA, ASME, NFPA, EPA).
Lead risk assessments, contingency planning, and emergency response programs for utility failures.
Prepare for and respond to audits, inspections, and certification processes (e.g., GMP, ISO, cGMP environments if applicable).
Build and manage a high-performing team of plant engineers, utility managers, and support staff.
Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and technical excellence.
Provide coaching, performance evaluations, and professional development opportunities.
| Focus Area | Description |
|---|---|
| Utility Systems Reliability | Ensure uninterrupted service, uptime, and redundancy in critical plant utility systems. |
| Energy Optimization | Reduce utility costs through metering, analytics, and energy efficiency strategies. |
| Infrastructure Modernization | Upgrade aging systems and future-proof utilities for digitalization and sustainability. |
| Regulatory Compliance | Maintain full compliance with environmental, safety, and industry-specific standards. |
| Sustainability & Decarbonization | Support ESG goals through energy transitions and sustainable utility management. |
| Cost Management & Efficiency | Optimize utility operating costs and asset lifecycle costs. |
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering (Master’s degree or MBA preferred).
PE (Professional Engineer) license or relevant certification is a strong plus.
Experience:
Minimum 15 years in plant operations, utilities, or facilities engineering, with at least 7 years in executive or senior leadership roles.
Proven experience in managing complex plant utility systems in industries such as pharmaceuticals, food & beverage, chemicals, data centers, or manufacturing.
Technical Expertise:
Deep knowledge of utility generation/distribution systems, building automation, and facility energy management.
Familiarity with ASHRAE, NFPA, EPA, OSHA, GMP, ISO 50001/14001, and applicable codes and standards.
Proficiency in energy management software, CMMS, BMS/BAS systems, and data-driven reliability programs.
Visionary leadership and organizational strategy execution
Strong engineering problem-solving and decision-making skills
Operational discipline and systems thinking
Budgeting and capital planning expertise
Communication and stakeholder management at all levels
Passion for innovation, safety, and environmental stewardship