Shift Manager

ob Title

Shift In-Charge – Biodiesel Plant

Location:

Department:

Reports To:

Job Purpose

To lead and supervise all production activities during the assigned shift, ensuring safe, efficient, and continuous biodiesel manufacturing operations while meeting quality, quantity, and environmental standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Shift Operations Management

• Oversee end-to-end plant operations including pretreatment, transesterification, washing, distillation, methanol recovery, and utility systems.
• Monitor process parameters (temperature, pressure, flow, pH, FFA, etc.) and take corrective actions to maintain optimum production levels.
• Ensure proper start-up, shutdown, and changeover procedures are followed.

• Team Leadership

• Supervise operators, technicians, and contract staff during the shift.
• Allocate tasks, provide guidance, and ensure adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Conduct shift briefings and maintain effective communication with the next shift and management.

• Safety & Compliance

• Enforce EHS (Environment, Health & Safety) guidelines and statutory regulations.
• Conduct routine safety checks and promptly report/resolve any incidents or near misses.
• Ensure proper handling and storage of chemicals (methanol, caustic, catalysts, etc.).

• Quality Assurance

• Coordinate with the QC/QA team for sampling and analysis of intermediate and final products.
• Implement process adjustments to maintain product quality as per ASTM/EN standards.

• Maintenance Coordination

• Report equipment abnormalities and assist maintenance teams in troubleshooting.
• Ensure preventive maintenance schedules are followed.

• Documentation & Reporting

• Maintain accurate shift logs of production data, downtime, raw material/chemical consumption, and manpower deployment.
• Prepare daily production reports and highlight process deviations.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong knowledge of biodiesel production processes (pretreatment, esterification, transesterification, distillation, methanol recovery, glycerin handling, etc).
• Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, process flow diagrams, and DCS/SCADA controls.
• Leadership and team management skills.
• Problem-solving and quick decision-making under pressure.
• Strong commitment to safety and environmental compliance.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree/Diploma in Chemical Engineering, BSc./MSc in Oil technology.
• 8-10 years of experience in a chemical/biochemical/oil & gas process plant (biodiesel or edible oil industry preferred).
• Hands-on experience with utilities (boiler, cooling tower, air compressor, etc.) is desirable.
• Prior experience in a

  SEZ / hazardous chemical environment

  will be an added advantage.

Working Conditions:

• Shift-based role (rotational shifts – morning, evening, night).
• Work environment involves exposure to

  chemical processing areas, high-temperature equipment, and flammable materials

  .
• PPE compliance mandatory.