Plant Operations Manager

Plant Operations Manager - Cambridge area · Site-based, 5 days/week

A venture-backed industrial technology business is hiring a Plant Operations Manager to lead operations at its first industrial pilot plant. The company is moving from an early-stage R&D start-up into a product-offering, revenue-generating business.

The role

• You'll be the senior-most person on site — overseeing operations, personnel, troubleshooting, and HSE. Two direct reports, plus 2–3 rotating colleagues. You'll also be the face of the company on site, so this is an outward-facing role as well as an operational one.
• Inheriting the modules built by the delivery team, you'll manage the operational requirements of the pilot plant experimental plan and learn how to optimise the technology for best-in-class operation.
• The first major piece of work is a planned upgrade — decommissioning and replacing half the plant's assets, with successful integration in 2026. Beyond that: run the site as a centre of excellence and R&D, with continuous long-term operation as the key metric.
• Reports to the CTO. Occasional UK travel to suppliers and fabricators.

What we need

• 10+ years in chemical or process industry operations
• NEBOSH accreditation (essential)
• Experience with reliability of electrical equipment in a plant environment
• Fluids-based chemical processes — water treatment, food and beverage, or similar
• Extensive commissioning and start-up experience across a variety of process plants
• Experience leading teams in challenging environments
• Mechanical or process qualification — HNC or degree
• Strong hands-on mentality — willing to step onto the shop floor to troubleshoot

Ideally, you'll also have familiarity with P&IDs and PFDs; HAZID experience; work with absorption, scrubbing, continuous gas-liquid systems or electrodialysis; experience running R&D pilot facilities.

Why this role: new technology, a nimble team that can make decisions, and real client-facing exposure. A chance to become a subject-matter expert in skills that are in high demand.

Process: Four to six weeks. Application review → interview with the operations team and functional lead → short case assignment and site visit → final interview.