Position: Plant Manager

Position Type: Full Time

Salary: $200,000 - $220,000 p/a plus Super

Employer Name: RENEWABLE METALS PTY LTD

A.B.N. 67 646 687 532

Job Location: 20 Ballantyne Road, Kewdale, WA, 6105, AUSTRALIA

Advertising Period: 28 days - 16 Sep 2026 > 14 Oct 2026

Summary

Our client, Renewable Metals is pioneering the future of battery recycling. Their next-generation technology recovers over 95% of lithium, nickel, cobalt, copper and manganese across all major lithium-ion battery chemistries; cleaner and more cost-effective than traditional methods.

Backed by leading climate-tech investors and supported by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and NSW Government grants, they are building a demonstration-scale plant in Kewdale and progressing an engineering study for a commercial-scale plant.

The company requires a full time Plant Manager at their lithium-ion battery recycling demonstration plant.

The Position

The Plant Manager is responsible for the overall operation and management of Renewable Metals' lithium-ion battery recycling demonstration plant. The role leads safe, reliable and efficient plant operations, with accountability for process reliability, maintenance, product quality, resource management and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

The role works closely with production personnel, engineers and technicians to plan, execute and review process runs, capture operational learnings and build systems and capability that support future scale-up and commercial operations.

The typical job responsibilities will include, but are not limited to the following:

Operational Management

• Supervise daily plant operations, including production schedules, maintenance activities and inventory management.

• Plan, execute and review planned production runs, process trials and demonstration campaigns.

• Ensure operations are conducted safely, reliably and efficiently to meet agreed operational objectives.

Safety and Compliance

• Implement and enforce safety protocols for alkali-based chemical processing and battery materials handling.

• Ensure compliance with applicable legal, regulatory and environmental requirements.

• Contribute to hazard identification, risk assessments including HAZOP and HAZID, and continuous improvement of safety systems as the process evolves.

Quality and Process Data





• Monitor product quality through inspections and testing against required standards and specifications.

• Lead improvement initiatives that strengthen product quality, data consistency and process understanding.

• Ensure operating data, samples and records are of sufficient quality to support scale-up, engineering studies and external due diligence.

Team Leadership

• Lead and motivate a small multidisciplinary team of production/operational personnel, engineers and technicians.

• Build a culture of teamwork, accountability, safety and continuous improvement.

Budget and Resources

• Develop operational capability and systems that can be transferred to future commercial operations.

• Develop and manage operational and maintenance budgets.

• Optimise resource utilisation to maximise operational learning, plant availability and cost discipline in a start-up environment.

• Provide input to capital planning and equipment selection for scale-up and future commercial facilities.

Problem Solving and Improvement

• Identify operational issues and implement effective, timely solutions.

• Drive continuous improvement to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, improve safety and de-risk scale-up.

• Capture operational learnings to inform process design, standard operating procedures and future plant layouts.

• Communication and Coordination

• Provide senior management and the board with clear updates on plant performance, safety, process learnings and improvement initiatives.

• Support engagement with investors, partners, regulators, auditors and grant bodies through site visits, reporting and technical input.

Other Responsibilities include

• Participate in and lead the development of a safe and healthy workplace.

• Comply with and reinforce lawful safety instructions, risk controls and safe work procedures.

• Co-operate with management in fulfilling legislative and regulatory obligations.

• Report and respond to injuries, incidents, hazards and illnesses as soon as reasonably practicable.

• Ensure no act or omission places another person at risk.





• Not wilfully or recklessly interfere with or misuse safety equipment.

• Consult with workers and relevant specialists on operational changes, risk assessments and safety improvements.

Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered for the role:

• Bachelor's degree or higher qualification in Metallurgy, Engineering, Plant Operations Management, or a closely related discipline.

• Demonstrated experience in chemical processing, metallurgical processing, minerals processing, battery materials, resource recovery, or a comparable industrial manufacturing environment.

• Proven success in plant leadership, operational management, commissioning, scale-up, or continuous improvement roles.

• Minimum five years' experience in a managerial or senior operational leadership position.

• Strong understanding of process safety, regulatory compliance, maintenance systems, budgeting and operational performance management.

• Plant operations planning, production scheduling and campaign execution.

• Chemical process operations, troubleshooting and continuous improvement.

• Process safety, risk assessment and regulatory compliance.

• Maintenance planning, inventory control, budgeting and resource management.

• Product quality oversight, process data integrity and technical recordkeeping.

• Leadership of multidisciplinary teams in an evolving operating environment.

• Clear written and verbal communication with internal and external stakeholders.

• Accountability: takes ownership of safe plant performance, commitments and outcomes.

• Action oriented: responds decisively to operational priorities and technical uncertainty.

• Collaboration: builds effective working relationships across operations, engineering, technical and corporate functions.

• Sound judgement: balances safety, quality, reliability, cost and learning objectives when making decisions.

• Continuous improvement: uses evidence, operating experience and team input to strengthen systems and performance.

• Adaptability: operates effectively in a fast-paced start-up and demonstration-plant setting.

• Australian working rights.

Due to the volume of applicants, only those meeting the minimum standards will be considered and only successful applicants will be contacted. Thank you for your interest in the role.

📌 Plant Manager (Kewdale)
🏢 RENEWABLE METALS
📍 Kewdale