Utility (boiler) manager

Position Summary:

We are seeking an experienced Utilities and Boiler House Manager to oversee the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of the biomass boiler house and plant utility systems at the oilseeds crush facility. This position plays a critical role in supporting continuous plant operations by managing boiler house department, plant steam and condensate systems, water preparation, wastewater treatment, and cooling tower water treatment. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership capabilities, a solid technical background in heat power energy, and a proactive approach to safety and maintenance.

The Sunflower Crush facility, located in Chornomorsk, Ukraine, consists of a Crush Extraction facility and an Extensive Grain Receiving & Storage operations. The plant also has a steam generation boiler house and is able to receive and ship via truck and rail operations. Around 150 Plant Operations Colleagues, a Commercial team, and additional Contractors work at the facility

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the day-to-day operations of the boiler house and all associated personnel.
• Ensure safe and compliant operation of the boiler house equipment, steam generation and condensate recovery systems, water treatment system for boiler feed water, flue gas filtration system aligned with regulatory and corporate standards.
• Oversee the management, maintenance, and optimization of plant utility systems, including:

- Cooling towers and associated water treatment

- Wastewater treatment systems to meet environmental discharge requirements

• Monitor equipment performance and implement preventive maintenance programs in collaboration with the maintenance team.
• Develop and maintain operating procedures, training materials, and safety protocols for boiler house and plant utility systems.
• Ensure proper documentation and reporting for environmental, health and safety (EHS) compliance, regulatory compliance, corporate energy management reporting.
• Manage departmental budget, energy efficiency initiatives, and utility consumption tracking.
• Lead troubleshooting and root cause analysis efforts for utility-related issues.
• Coordinate with operations and engineering teams on plant projects, system upgrades, and new equipment installations.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, safety awareness, and team development.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) at minimum in Heat Power Engineering or related discipline.
• Intermediate English level at minimum, both verbal and written.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in utility operations and boiler systems, preferably in a biomass.
• Strong knowledge of steam systems, thermal energy production, biomass boilers, and water chemistry/treatment.
• Proven leadership experience managing technical personnel in an industrial setting.
• Solid understanding of environmental regulations, EHS standards, and process safety management.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills.
• MS Office proficiency is a must.
• Proficiency in CMMS (SAP, Maximo, etc.) systems is a plus.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certification or license in boiler operations (where applicable).
• Experience working in oilseeds processing, agricultural commodities, or bioenergy industries.
• Familiarity with SCADA (Siemens, Emerson DeltaV) systems and energy management tools.

Working Conditions:

• On-site, industrial environment with routine exposure to high temperatures, steam, noise, working on heights and process equipment.
• Rotational on-call responsibilities may apply.
• Must adhere to all site safety and PPE requirements.

Company Offers:

• Official employment;

• Competitive salary

• Rental support for candidates relocating from other regions;

• Additional company assistance during the war in Ukraine;

• Transportation provided between Odesa and the company’s location in Chornomorsk;

• Social benefits in accordance with current legislation;

• Medical insurance.