Management
Biofuels Production Managers
Also called: Biofuels Production Manager, Ethanol Operations Manager, Plant Manager, Production Coordinator
US median pay
$126,060
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+2.6%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
17,000
252,100 employed
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
Preparation 4/5 · Considerable preparation
What this job is
Manage biofuels production and plant operations. Collect and process information on plant production and performance, diagnose problems, and design corrective procedures.
What they do day to day
- Supervise production employees in the manufacturing of biofuels, such as biodiesel or ethanol.
- Manage operations at biofuels power generation facilities, including production, shipping, maintenance, or quality assurance activities.
- Provide direction to employees to ensure compliance with biofuels plant safety, environmental, or operational standards and regulations.
- Confer with technical and supervisory personnel to report or resolve conditions affecting biofuels plant safety, operational efficiency, and product quality.
- Review logs, datasheets, or reports to ensure adequate production levels or to identify abnormalities with biofuels production equipment or processes.
- Monitor meters, flow gauges, or other real-time data to ensure proper operation of biofuels production equipment, implementing corrective measures as needed.
- Adjust temperature, pressure, vacuum, level, flow rate, or transfer of biofuels to maintain processes at required levels.
- Provide training to subordinate or new employees to improve biofuels plant safety or increase the production of biofuels.
- Shut down and restart biofuels plant or equipment in emergency situations or for equipment maintenance, repairs, or replacements.
- Monitor transportation and storage of flammable or other potentially dangerous feedstocks or products to ensure adherence to safety guidelines.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Management of Personnel Resources3.9/5
- Coordination3.6/5
- Time Management3.5/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.5/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.4/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.4/5
- Systems Analysis3.2/5
- Service Orientation3.2/5
Knowledge
- Production and Processing4.7/5
- Administration and Management4.1/5
- Mechanical4.0/5
- Engineering and Technology3.7/5
- Chemistry3.7/5
- Mathematics3.5/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 4 of 5 — Considerable preparation. Usually a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): Bachelor's degree, plus 5 years or more of related work experience.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Bachelor's degree45%
- Some college19%
- Associate's degree15%
Who this job suits
Mostly Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.