Manager - Plant Operations

Designation: Manager – Plant Operations

Reporting: CBO (Chief Business Officer)

NoPo Nanotechnologies one of the few deep tech companies globally that leads the research and development in the nano tubes space. The company manufactures and sells high-quality single walled carbon nano tubes using proprietary methods known as HiPCO®. These nano tubes are extremely small and strong, with a range of useful properties such as semi-conductivity, low density, and high conductivity. They have been used in a variety of applications, including Li-ion batteries, space, defense, and electronics. NoPo is currently scaling up production to meet the customer demands.

Job Summary:

As the Operations Manager, you will be responsible for designing and overseeing all aspects of our manufacturing operations, ensuring efficiency, quality, and safety.

You will work closely with cross-functional teams to develop and implement strategies for scaling up production to meet growing demand. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in the chemical industry, strong leadership abilities, proven track record of optimizing production workflows and drive the rapid scale-up of our organization.

Key Responsibilities

1. Start-Up Plant Establishment & Ramp-Up

• Lead the establishment of plant infrastructure, including layout, equipment installation, utilities, and workflow design.
  
• Develop and document standard operating procedures (SOPs) for nano-scale production.
  
• Support commissioning and validation of production equipment and clean room environments.
  
• Collaborate with founders, engineering, and R&D teams to transition technology from prototype to scalable manufacturing.
  

2. Operational Management

• Execute daily operations of nanomaterial synthesis, fabrication, coating, or processing lines.
  
• Build production schedules and capacity plans to meet evolving customer and investor timelines.
  
• Monitor KPIs for output, efficiency, yield, and quality.
  
• Implement digital systems (MES, SPC dashboards, data collection) to support growth.
  

3. Safety, Compliance & Risk Management

• Establish a safety-first culture tailored to scale materials and novel processes.
  
• Develop and enforce EHS protocols, including controls for nano particle exposure, waste management, and contamination prevention.
  
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulatory agencies (e.g., OSHA, EPA, ISO, local authorities).
  
• Conduct risk assessments, audits, and incident reviews, lead corrective actions.
  

4. Team Building & Leadership

• Recruit, train, and manage a growing team of operators, technicians, and process engineers.
  
• Foster a culture of agility, ownership, and innovation characteristic of a start-up environment.
  
• Provide daily coaching, performance feedback, and growth opportunities.
  

5. Process Optimization & Scale-Up

• Work closely with R&D to iterate and optimize manufacturing processes.
  
• Lead continuous improvement projects using Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies.
  
• Reduce cycle times, improve yield, lower costs, and enhance reliability as production scales.
  

6. Budgeting & Resource Management

• Create and manage operational budgets, equipment planning, and staffing forecasts.
  
• Oversee procurement of critical material feedstocks, consumables, and tools.
  
• Work with supply chain partners to ensure costeffective sourcing.
  

Education

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in chemical engineering/ Nanotechnology
  

Experience

• 10+ years of Plant operations experience in Chemical / Specialty Chemicals / Carbon nano tubes Manufacturing Start-up Industries
  
• Prior experience in a start-up, pilot plant, or scale-up Plant environment strongly preferred.
  
• Demonstrated experience commissioning new equipment, establishing SOPs, and building teams from scratch.
  

Technical Competencies

• Hands-on knowledge of fabrication, nano particle synthesis, nano-coatings, or characterization techniques.
  
• Experience with clean room protocols (ISO 5–8), automation/controls, and contamination control.
  
• Familiarity with regulatory expectations around nano materials handling.
  

• Soft Skills

• Entrepreneurial mindset with willingness to be both strategic and hands-on.
  
• Strong leadership, communication, and project-management abilities.
  
• Adaptable, resourceful, and comfortable operating in ambiguous, fast-changing conditions.
  
• Excellent problem-solving and data-driven decision-making skills.
  

Working Conditions

• Start-up environment with rapid changes, evolving priorities, and hands-on technical work.
  
• Requires the use of PPE and occasional work in cleanrooms or controlled nanomaterial handling areas.
  
• Periodic extended hours during commissioning, scale-ups,or urgent production issues.
  

• Benefits:

• Competitive salary package commensurate with experience.
  
• Opportunity to drive fast-paced growth in a path breaking industry
  
• Chance to build relationships with the best-in-class customers working on the most advanced technologies using our product. These technologies range from silicon anodes, flexible electronics, improved water purification.
  
• You will be a part of the solution to save the environment