Job Description

Ethanol Production Manager

Nebraska | $120,000–$150,000 Base + Performance Bonus + Comprehensive Benefits

An established and growing renewable fuels producer is seeking an experienced Production Manager to lead operations at one of its largest and most strategically important ethanol facilities. This is a search for a hands-on operations leader who thrives in a high-performance manufacturing environment and knows how to build accountability, improve consistency, and drive production results.

Following significant capital investments, this facility has become the company's flagship operation. The leadership team is looking for someone who can help maintain peak production while developing a culture of operational excellence.

What You'll Do

As the Production Manager, you'll oversee daily production operations while leading a team of 20+ production employees through Crew Chiefs and frontline leadership. You'll be responsible for maximizing production efficiency, maintaining product quality, ensuring employee safety, and developing a culture of accountability across the production department.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead all day-to-day production operations.
• Drive plant performance through SOP compliance, training, and employee development.
• Coach, mentor, and hold production personnel accountable to performance expectations.
• Partner closely with Maintenance, Laboratory, Environmental, and Plant leadership to optimize plant performance.
• Schedule staffing and ensure proper shift coverage.
• Conduct performance evaluations and participate in hiring, training, and employee development.
• Monitor production metrics, identify improvement opportunities, and implement operational best practices.
• Support purchasing, inventory, payroll approvals, and production reporting.
• Participate in the on-call rotation to support a 24/7 manufacturing operation.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who combines strong technical knowledge with confident leadership.

Ideal qualifications include:

• 3+ years of supervisory experience within an ethanol production facility.
• Experience as a Production Manager, Production Supervisor, Crew Chief/Lead, Lead Operator, Lab Manager, or similar leadership role.
• Strong understanding of ethanol production processes and plant operations.
• Proven ability to lead teams, improve performance, and have difficult conversations when necessary.
• Experience developing employees while maintaining high operational standards.
• Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, or related degree preferred but not required.
• Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
• Intermediate Microsoft Office proficiency.

About the Facility

• One of the company's largest production facilities following recent expansion.
• Oversees 20+ direct reports, including Crew Chiefs, Operators, and cross-trained Operators.
• Works closely with an experienced and highly collaborative Laboratory Manager.
• Reports directly to the Plant Manager.

Schedule

• Monday-Friday (day shift)
• On-call responsibilities for a 24/7 operation as needed

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary: $120,000-$150,000
• Performance bonus program
• Comprehensive benefits package
• Long-term career growth with a stable and expanding organization that has a strong history of promoting from within.

If you're an operations leader who enjoys improving performance, developing people, and leading from the front in a fast-paced ethanol environment, we'd welcome a confidential conversation.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, age, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable laws or regulations. GPAC (Growing People and Companies) is an award-winning search firm specializing in placing quality professionals within multiple industries across the United States since 1990. We are extremely competitive, client-focused and realize that our value is in our ability to deliver the right solutions at the right time.