(please fwd to other relevant lists and individuals. we are tending applications globally-- especially from the michigan-ohio-minnesota-wisconsin-pennsylvania rust belt, where the locals actually know how to do this. it would be wonderful to find someone already within the gasification community that has the skills to engage this manufacturing challenge).
Job Opp: Director of Manufacturing Operations- GEK Gasifier / ALL Power Labs. GEK Gasifier / ALL Power Labs is looking for a manufacturing operations expert to create and manage the next stage of our manufacturing solution. We are fast outgrowing our current in house methods, and need to quickly implement a more scalable, higher volume solution. This will require deep skills across international supply chain management, multi-discipline production processes, fast design-to-market iteration, and the details of inventory control, shipping, and receiving systems. Are you the ambitious champion of the production arts that can write the next chapter of the story? APL is now approaching its third year anniversary of providing personal scale power solutions in biomass gasification. During this time our main product has evolved from a bleeding edge DIY experimenters kit, to a total solution for small scale biomass power generation. To date we've shipped 240+ gasifiers, to over 30 different countries and 40 universities. If you are unfamiliar with our products, you can learn more here: http://www.gekgasifier.com. We now similarly need to graduate from completely in-house fabrication, to progressive outsourcing, integration and virtualization. Building the stand alone gasifiers was a sheet metal and plumbing parts problem. We well solved it with a CNC plasma cutter and common metal fab tools. The current Power Pallet, however, has building complexities more akin to manufacturing a small car. Making them in number is no longer solvable with welders and raw enthusiasm. If this were a web startup, we'd call this the "adult supervision" moment. As we're a manufacturer, let's say this is where the MIG wire runs out, and a formally trained (or formally interested) manufacturing production expert is needed. Our present making method tops out at about 20 GEKs a month, and/or 5 Power Pallets. We now need to find the person who can grow this to 10s of Power Pallets a month, with a vision of how to continue beyond there. Gasifiers were made in the 100,000s per year during WWII. We've got a long way to go. Even further if we are to reach the potential 10% of global energy which "individual scale waste-to-energy machines" could provide. The world is in need of a "PC of personal scale energy", and we intend to be the group that first delivers it at mass scale. This is an unusual position and opportunity, requiring an unusual candidate. It will require a general specialist who likes to make things happen across a wide range of terrain. You will need to have respect for the unusual methods we’ve developed to date, but also know how to integrate the more traditional best practice production solutions. You might be formally trained and/or experienced in manufacturing systems, or for some reason think yourself uniquely qualified to learn. You should be naturally drawn to, and have the character to excel at, production environments and complex task management. You need to find pleasure in the minutia of logistics and the details of information management. You need to be willing to excel at these tasks, while also surrounded by engineers and creative types that are . . . *ahem* . . . rather less good at them. Ideal skills, traits and qualifications: - Deep skills in information management. This position at its core is about information management. - Deep skills in self-management - Ability to learn continuously and voraciously - Ability to manage people exceptionally well. - Intimacy with making things in the world. Knowledge of the machines and tools that enable it. And strong opinions on the best ways to do it. - Familiarity with the concepts of TPS, lean manufacturing, just-in-time, Six Sigma, PLM, MPM, PDM, BEATM, etc etc. Maybe you're impressed with the strategies and practices offered therein. Maybe you aren't and think you can make up better ones. - Familiarity with software systems for workflow management, sourcing, inventory control, product version control and documentation, etc. - Familiarity with shipping and receiving systems, and willingness to manage them. - Ability to travel and operate internationally. Our product has global relevance. We'll likely be manufacturing it regionally in the near future. - Willingness to work long hours, odd hours, and make happen, what needs to happen, when it needs to happen. Yes, the above list is too long. But such is the nature of a position in an early stage start up-- each person has to do a diversity of things that will later be broken into multiple positions. What we're looking for currently is the person who can join us as a core member of the org (currently 10 full time and more part time), and own the manufacturing operations seat for many years to come. This is intended as a multi-year opportunity and commitment. Pay is negotiable, but will likely start at the lower end of the market, given current status as a bootstrapped start up. The position, however, will come with meaningful equity in the endeavor once we see there is a fit, and you have the talent for long arc growth with us. The position will start as a several month contract while we ensure there is a fit. Our scale is not yet giant, but we intend for it to be so in the not too distant future. The market potential is not small. Many volume and institutional customers are circling. We’re doubling our revenue every year. The global energy system will be reorganized, and we have a unique opportunity to play a non-trivial part in the process. If you would like to apply, please send a letter describing your interest and qualifications, as well as your resume, to [email protected] Thank you, Jim Mason Founder/Director -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jim Mason Website: http://www.whatiamupto.com Current Projects: - Gasifier Experimenters Kit (the GEK): http://www.gekgasifier.com - Escape from Berkeley alt fuels vehicle race: www.escapefromberkeley.com - ALL Power Labs on Twitter: http://twitter.com/allpowerlabs - Shipyard Announce list: http://lists.spaceship.com/listinfo.cgi/icp-spaceship.com _______________________________________________ Gasification mailing list to Send a Message to the list, use the email address [email protected] to UNSUBSCRIBE or Change your List Settings use the web page http://lists.bioenergylists.org/mailman/listinfo/gasification_lists.bioenergylists.org for more Gasifiers, News and Information see our web site: http://gasifiers.bioenergylists.org/
