• Application Deadline:
• Position: Ethanol Production Manager



• Job Type Full Time , Onsite



• Qualification BA/BSc/HND



• Experience 7 - 10 years



• Location Lagos




• Job Field Engineering / Technical  , Manufacturing 
  
  

The Ethanol Production Manager is responsible for end-to-end operational leadership of a cassava-based ethanol production facility. The role ensures safe, efficient, and cost-effective production by managing feedstock intake, fermentation, distillation, utilities, quality, and people performance to consistently achieve production, quality, and compliance targets

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Overall Plant Operations

• Provide day-to-day leadership and control of the entire ethanol production process, from cassava feedstock handling through fermentation, distillation, and final product output.


• Ensure stable plant operations, optimal throughout, and minimal unplanned downtime.

Feedstock Management

• Ensure continuous availability and quality of cassava feedstock in line with production requirements.


• Collaborate closely with procurement, logistics, and suppliers to plan timely sourcing and mitigate supply risks.


• Monitor feedstock quality parameters and adjust process inputs to maintain optimal conversion efficiency.

Process Operations & Optimization

• Oversee and continuously improve the core production stages:
  
  
  
  • Milling and mash preparation
  
  
  • Fermentation
  
  
  • Distillation and dehydration
  
  
  
  


• Drive process control discipline to maximise ethanol yield, conversion efficiency, and product consistency.


• Identify process losses, bottlenecks, and variability, and implement corrective and preventive actions.

Chemical & Consumables Management

• Monitor usage of process chemicals, enzymes, yeast, and additives to ensure optimal dosing and cost efficiency.


• Coordinate with procurement to maintain adequate inventory levels and avoid production interruptions.

Utilities & By-Product Operations

• Ensure safe and effective operation of supporting systems, including:
  
  
  
  • CO₂ recovery systems
  
  
  • Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP)
  
  
  • Water Treatment Plant (WTP)
  
  
  
  


• Steam, power, and compressed air systems


• Ensure by-products and waste streams comply with environmental and regulatory requirements.

Production Planning, KPIs & Continuous Improvement

• Develop and execute production plans aligned with demand forecasts and plant capacity.


• Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) including:
  
  
  
  • Yield and conversion efficiency
  
  
  • Throughput and capacity utilisation
  
  
  • Process losses and downtime
  
  
  • Energy and water efficiency
  
  
  • Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance productivity, reduce waste, and improve operating costs.
  
  
  
  

Quality, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with quality standards, safety procedures, and environmental regulations.


• Enforce adherence to SOPs, process controls, and statutory requirements.


• Lead and support audits, inspections, and corrective action programmes.

Team Leadership & Workforce Development

• Lead, coach, and supervise production operators, shift supervisors, and supporting staff.


• Build a performance-driven culture focused on safety, accountability, and operational excellence.


• Ensure appropriate training, skill development, and succession planning within the team.

Maintenance Coordination

• Work closely with maintenance and engineering teams to ensure equipment reliability and asset integrity.


• Plan and coordinate preventive maintenance and shutdown activities to minimise disruptions.


• Provide operational input into maintenance prioritisation and root cause analysis of equipment failures.

Plant Efficiency & Performance Excellence

• Drive high fermentation efficiency by optimising feedstock conversion and minimising process variability.


• Ensure consistent distillation performance to meet ethanol quality and yield specifications.


• Champion operational excellence practices across the plant.

Educational Qualifications/Key Competencies:  : 

•  Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related discipline.


• Minimum 7–10 years experience in ethanol, biofuels, starch processing, distillation, or related process industries.


• Prior experience managing production teams and shift operations in a manufacturing plant.


• Exposure to lean manufacturing, TPM, or continuous improvement frameworks is an advantage.


• Strong knowledge of ethanol production processes, particularly cassava or starch based feedstocks.


• Understanding of fermentation science, distillation operations, and process chemistry.


• Knowledge of utilities systems (steam, water, ETP/WTP, CO₂ recovery).


• Familiarity with health, safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements in process manufacturing.


• Working knowledge of production planning, quality systems, and operational KPIs.

Skills/Abilities

• Proven operations and production management skills in a continuous or batch processing environment.


• Strong analytical and problem solving skills with the ability to optimise complex processes.


• Effective leadership, communication, and people management skills.


• Ability to interpret process data, trends, and reports to drive performance improvement.


• Strong coordination skills across production, maintenance, procurement, and quality functions


• Ability to lead teams in a high intensity, industrial operating environment.


• Ability to make timely, sound operational decisions under production pressure.


• Ability to drive continuous improvement and enforce process discipline.


• Ability to balance safety, quality, cost, and output objectives simultaneously.


• Ability to work hands on while maintaining a clear operational and strategic overview