Tupande Biochar Production Senior Coordinator (Fixed-Term)

Production & Maintenance Manager – Biochar Facility

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Production & Maintenance Manager to oversee daily operations across pyrolysis lines at our biochar facility. This role combines production coordination, mechanical engineering leadership, and monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) responsibilities. The ideal candidate will ensure seamless shift execution, maintain high equipment reliability, and deliver accurate production data for carbon credit certification.

Key Responsibilities

Production Coordination

• Manage production schedules across pyrolysis lines, forecasting inputs and designing production cycles to meet output targets.
• Coordinate with avocado oil and macadamia value chains to ensure consistent feedstock supply quality, volume, and delivery timing.
• Plan production around the weekly maintenance window and any planned shutdowns.
• Revise production schedules in response to staff absence, equipment downtime, or feedstock supply shortfalls.
• Liaise with utility providers (electricity, water, diesel) to ensure uninterrupted facility operation; track utility usage and resolve outages.
• Coordinate with maintenance staff on preventative maintenance execution, breakdown response, and shift coverage.
• Partner with the lab on quality control and non-conformance management.
• Coordinate with the Logistics & MRV Coordinator on outbound dispatch scheduling and delivery readiness.
• Work with the Administration Supervisor on casual labour / independent contractor scheduling, procurement requisitions, and resource needs.
• Coordinate with HSSE staff on safety incident response, HACCP implementation, and environmental compliance.
• Manage Production Supervisors, ensuring they have the resources, information, and authority needed to deliver shift performance; conduct performance reviews and development planning for direct reports.
• Track and report production KPIs (output, yield, downtime, quality), budget performance, and MRV completeness as required.
• Implement and continuously improve standard operating procedures across both production lines.

Mechanical Engineering Leadership

• Develop and own the facility’s preventive mechanical maintenance plan, aligned to maintenance requirements and any planned shutdowns.
• Lead or supervise all mechanical work during maintenance windows, ensuring full-line readiness before restart.
• Supervise and mentor on-shift Maintenance staff on mechanical tasks and best practices.
• Respond to and resolve critical mechanical breakdowns during production runs; prioritise rapid return to operation.
• Conduct root cause analysis on recurring mechanical failures and implement permanent corrective actions.
• Manage mechanical spare parts inventory, procurement planning, and critical stock levels.
• Maintain up-to-date mechanical maintenance logs, equipment history records, and work order documentation.
• Ensure all mechanical work is performed in compliance with lockout/tagout (LOTO) and HSE standards.
• Serve as primary on-site liaison with external technical support for mechanical-related warranty claims and specialist troubleshooting.

Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV)

• Own all production-related MRV documentation for submission.
• Compile and submit feedstock intake records (weighbridge receipts and feedstock pile photos) as required.
• Compile and submit daily production logs (personnel, activities, feedstock used, biochar produced, batch IDs) as required.
• Compile and submit packaging usage records and packaging specification data as required.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in mechanical maintenance in an industrial or manufacturing setting.
• Degree or diploma in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• Experience with high-temperature processing equipment, combustion systems, conveyors, or biomass machinery strongly preferred.
• Ability to read technical drawings, P&IDs, and equipment manuals.
• Strong fault-diagnosis and root cause analysis skills.
• Willingness to be on-call for emergency mechanical breakdowns outside of standard hours.

Knowledge

• Ability to forecast inputs, design production cycles, and manage production data from source to final storage.
• Experience coordinating with maintenance, quality, and external supplier teams in a multi-shift environment.
• Strong analytical skills with proficiency in Google Sheets / Excel for production planning, KPI tracking, and MRV documentation.
• Knowledge of preventive, corrective, and condition-based maintenance principles, including developing and implementing preventative maintenance programmes.
• Familiarity with lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures, electrical safety standards, and Kenyan electrical regulations (EPRA).