Facilities Manager

Job Title: Site Manager, Brighton CO

Department: Operations

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer

Location: Brighton, CO

Position Summary:

ZCS is developing new-to-the-world technology for Direct Air Capture, and the Brighton CO

facility is the hub for its Research and Process Development equipment. This role will oversee

operations at that site, coordinating with the Materials Research labs, directly overseeing the

several test and pilot rigs that are generating data that support the learnings being built into the

Detailed Design of a Demonstration facility and interfacing with the engineering team to build,

modify and repair new and existing custom designed R&D equipment.

The Site Manager is a key role responsible for ensuring that the facility is operating efficiently,

safely, sustainably and with high availability. The Site Manager leads a diverse team, manages

the facility budget, and works collaboratively with researchers, engineers and executive leaders

to support the company’s overall mission and operational efficiency.

Objectives & Responsibilities

● Operations Leadership

● Lead and mentor a team of engineers, operators and maintenance staff.

● Ensure alignment of facilities operations with company-wide initiatives, including safety, process development and cost-efficiency

● Actively engage in site and equipment operability, maintainability and safety

● Coordinate with landlord and local authorities to ensure compliance with local, environmental and facilities constraints

● Facility Management

● Oversee day-to-day operations of the facility, including maintenance, repairs and upgrades

● Ensure facility operations maintain high productivity with minimal unplanned downtime

● Build a strong cross-trained operations/engineering staff

● Maintain a robust preventative maintenance program

● Maintain a cost-effective maintenance spare parts inventory management system

● Ensure that the facility meets safety, environmental, and regulatory standards

● Coordinate with offsite team members to ensure test and pilot equipment meet their operational needs

● Coordinate with Materials research team to ensure that lab facilities operate safely and productively

● Support the implementation of capital improvement projects, including renovations, retrofits, and new construction

● Coordinate site visits (vendors, manufacturing partners, investors, remote team members) to ensure safety, compliance with Intellectual Property restrictions and related matters

● Budget and Cost Management

● Develop and manage the annual operating budget for the facility

● Oversee contract negotiations and relationships with vendors, contractors, and service providers

● Risk and Compliance Management

● Ensure that all facilities are compliant with local, state, and federal regulations, including OSHA and environmental laws, as well as ensure the implementation of robust health, safety, and security / emergency response protocols

● Design review

● Partner with Process, Mechanical and Electrical design teams to make sure that new test equipment and future process plants have suitable input from an Operations (safety, maintainability, operability) perspective.

● Coordinate knowledge and skills transfer to new operational sites as they are built

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Experience

Experience

● 10+ years of experience in manufacturing plant operations, or a related field, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.

Skills

● Proven track record of operations leadership in chemical / agrifood / oil and gas facilities

● Strong understanding of regulatory requirements and safety standards

● Experience managing budgets, negotiating contracts, and leading cross-functional teams.

● Excellent management, communication, and interpersonal skills

● Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities

● Read and understand P&IDs, orthographic drawings and other engineering and design tools

● Experience working with pumps, valves, compressors, boilers and other industrial equipment

● Ability to learn and comprehend Direct Air Capture processes

Qualifications

● Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Facility Management or a related field. Additional field experience acceptable in lieu of formal degree.

Physical Requirements

● Frequently required to sit for extended periods while working at a desk or computer workstation. Occasional standing and walking within the office may be necessary

● Frequently required to walk around operating facility and negotiate typical manufacturing environments (e.g. ladders, low pipes)

● Occasional lifting or moving objects up to 10-20 pounds such as office supplies or boxes.