Fuel Manager

IHI Power Services Corp. (IPSC) has a career opportunity for a Fuel Manager - $105K to $125K (negotiable based on experience) at the Rio Bravo Fresno Power Plant located just south of the City of Fresno.  The facility is a 24.3 NMW biomass fired power plant. 

Joining IPSC means you’ll be joining a team in which employees are recognized as the backbone of the company.  We offer a competitive benefits package that includes a 401K and provides a range of benefit options that will cover your wellness needs.

IPSC provides operations, maintenance, management, and power support services to the US Power Generation Industry across the United States.  Our team is comprised of experts from diverse backgrounds of technical fields, including power operations, engineering, asset management, as well as finance, human resources, administration, safety and environmental.  With this diverse background coupled with extensive years of employee experience, IPSC provides exceptional operations, maintenance, management, and development expertise to a variety of power assets.

All applicants must apply online at www.ihipower.com

Job Summary

A key member of the plant management staff. Responsibilities include the full scope of fuel procurement such as short and long-term plant and regional supply strategy development, contract development and supplier negotiations, maintaining positive supplier relations, fuel pricing reflective of market and value to the plant, and implementing fuel quality programs. Provides Fuel Procurement support for one or more plants, working as a team member of IHI’s California Fuel Procurement Group. Ability to build, maintain and manage supplier relationships during positive or negative times such as economic down turns, high fuel supply demand, and low-quality product.  May provide guidance over O&M Technicians who work in the fuel yards. Develops backup candidate in support of plant Fuel Procurement and as part of Fuel Procurement Strategy. Maintains a proactive view of actual and proposed legislative changes and positions and adjusts the fuel procurement strategy accordingly. Fully implements and provides oversight of the plants(s) Fuel Legitimacy Criteria Program and interacting with the Environmental Department to ensure program compliance.

Job Functions

• Provides assistance in development of budgets and preforms economic analysis; originates authorizations for capital expenditures.
• Fosters and actively participates in an environment that encourages superior Safety Awareness and Environmental Stewardship through the implementation and support of the Safety Management System, Environmental Management Systems, and Fuel Legitimacy Criteria Program.
• Fuel Management:
  • Create a biomass fuel plans for plant(s) that has the buy-in from the Plant Manager, General Manager, Environmental Department, and Financial Manager. This will include but is not limited to:
  • Manages and maintains overall company relations related to the fuel supply including but not limited to suppliers, transportation, plant, corporate, and regulatory.
  • Manages biomass fuel suppliers to meet facilities fuel budget and quality specifications.
  • Set up a tracking/reporting (Budget vs. Actual program)
  • Issues monthly biomass fuel plan vs. actual reports.
  • Manages biomass fuel cell management including accurate monthly inventory tracking, fire prevention and minimize degradation.
  • Develops and administers plant biomass fuel quality control program. Including Fuel Legitimacy Plan to meet the Non-Hazardous Secondary Fuel criteria for all nontraditional Biomass fuels as stated in the EPA’s 40CFR part 241 rules.
  • Manages the biomass fuel supply, quality and inventory to the plan. Including continuous tracking of fuel heat value, ash content, moisture content and all other foreign materials tracking as required by the Air Permit and federal regulations.
  • Purchases the best value biomass fuel mix and quality to compliment the overall goal of optimizing income, efficiency, and compliance in support of plant operations.
  • Monitors and records proper tracking identification for the GHG Inventory Program.
  • Ensures Offset Certification is implemented and in compliance with the Air Permits, if applicable.
  • Develops new fuel products through existing and new supply opportunities.
  • Monitors forest fuel purchases per the agreement with Center for Biological Diversity and in conjunction with the community oversight group.
  • Develops and implements QA/QC monitoring and tracking procedures. (How we monitor and measure it).
  • Tracks and monitors $/ton, $/BDT, and $/mmBtu
• Vendor Management:
  • Creates request for proposals (RFP)
  • Evaluates RFP to maximize fuel quality and supply while obtaining best price.
  • Manages vendors in accordance with Fuel Plan.
  • Evaluates, assesses, and follows up on fuel quality issues directly with suppliers as necessary.
  • Willingness to travel to supplier sites for contract and regulatory monitoring purposes.
  • Negotiates and administers biomass fuel supply contracts that meet the fuel plan.
  • Monitors fuel suppliers to confirm contractual compliance of fuel deliveries.
  • Reviews and approves monthly fuel payment summaries prior to final payment being issued to fuel suppliers, processing contractors and haulers.
  • Educates/influences the suppliers that all urban biomass fuel must meet the EPA regulation 40 CFR part 241.
• Other duties as assigned such as but not limited to outage support.
• Must be willing to travel at least 50% of the time.
• May be assigned direct reports as need arises.

Education and Experience – An equivalent combination of education, training and experience will be considered.

• Undergraduate degree in engineering, business, or related discipline, or equivalent combination of education and experience.  Work experience may be considered in lieu of education. 
• Must demonstrate proficiency in the use of computer hardware and applicable software including spreadsheets and databases.
• Must have a valid California Driver’s License.
• Must be able to perform physical requirements of the position including climbing ladders, stairs, and must be able to perform comprehensive site inspections.
• Demonstrates a basic understanding of plant processes and fuel market dynamics.
• Strong negotiation skills, excellent organizational skills, self-starter/directed, detail oriented, results focused, analytical in nature, and strong problem-solving skills.
• Well-developed written and oral communication skills.
• Basic understanding of the trucking industry. Experience with securing trucking and negotiating freight rates preferred.
• Knowledgeable or willing to learn the logistics and economics of the biomass fuel processing industry and material handling.  Prior experience in the orchard business, Ag commodities, waste management business, or forest products business preferred.
• Chemistry knowledge preferred.
• Mechanical knowledge preferred.
• Registered Professional Forester and experience with federal and private forest management issues preferred.
• Monitors and records proper forest tracking identification for the GHG Inventory Program.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities which may be representative, but not all-inclusive of those commonly associated with this position.

• This position requires a person to use a wide variety of hand tools. It also requires the use of electric and pneumatic hand tools. They may be required to use lathes, drill presses, and other types of machine shop equipment. They will be operating and maintaining a wide variety of conveyors, crushers, valves, and rotating equipment.
• This position requires the ability to operate a forklift. They may also be operating a road sweeper and driving the plant pickup.
• Must possess basic math skills, good verbal communications skills, and be proficient with the use of power and precision tools.
• Must be cooperative with those he/she contacts in this work and can work without direct supervision.
• Must know the hazards involved and the safety precautions to be practiced in the operation and maintenance of power plant equipment and machinery.
• Work within and insure strict adherence to all safety practices and procedures.
• Must be able to respond to audio alarms and variations of sound.
• Basic data entry/computer skills
• Work as a team. Must be able to pool our knowledge and energy to work in tandem to completely understand and productively respond to all the business challenges.

Work Environment – Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job.

• Protective equipment such as hard hats, safety glasses, air masks, ear protection and other equipment must be worn in the performance of some duties. Work with hazardous materials may be required.
• Requires working 12 hour shifts with weekend and holiday work as required by schedules, workload and plant conditions.  On call status (day and night) may be required.
• Includes working indoors and outdoors.

Physical Abilities that is commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job.  The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Must be able to work on feet for extensive periods, requiring stair and ladder climbing, and routinely lifting 50 pounds.
• Must be able to work in elevated areas, confined spaces and in extreme heat and cold conditions.

IHI Power Services Corp. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees may be required to follow other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties as requested, subject to all applicable state and federal laws. Certain job functions described herein may be subject to possible modification in accordance with applicable state and federal laws. 

All applicants must apply online at www.ihipower.com