HoSt is looking for a Biogas Plant Manager for its own-to-operate project in Latvia!

Do you want to take responsibility for the daily operation of a renewable energy facility and play a key role in the development of sustainable energy production in Latvia?

At HoSt Group, you will have the opportunity to manage one of our own biogas and biomethane plants in Latvia. You will oversee the plant’s day-to-day operations, coordinate employees and contractors, monitor biological and technical performance, and ensure that the facility operates safely, reliably and in compliance with all applicable requirements.

We are looking for a practical and responsible local professional who understands the Latvian operating environment, takes ownership and knows how to turn production targets into safe and reliable daily operations.

About HoSt Group

HoSt Group develops and realizes high-tech systems for the production of sustainable energy from organic waste streams. With projects in more than 45 countries and offices in the Netherlands, France, Poland, Latvia and the US, we contribute to the energy transition worldwide every day.

As a family business founded in 1991, we combine technological innovation with a practical and down-to-earth approach. At HoSt, you get the opportunity to take initiative, develop professionally and make a tangible contribution to the transition towards renewable energy.

Within our Own to Operate business unit, HoSt develops, owns and operates its own renewable energy facilities. In Latvia, we are developing a portfolio of biomethane plants that will process agricultural feedstocks, manure and other suitable organic materials into renewable biomethane and valuable organic fertilizers.

To support the safe, efficient and reliable operation of these facilities, HoSt Latvia is looking for a Biogas Plant Manager for each individual plant.

What are you going to do?

As Biogas Plant Manager, you will be responsible for the daily operation and performance of an individual HoSt biogas and biomethane plant in Latvia.

Ensuring the plant operates safely, reliably and efficiently will be a key responsibility. You will oversee the day-to-day operation of the facility, take ownership when operational issues arise and ensure that appropriate actions are taken.You will manage the daily work at the plant and coordinate plant operators, maintenance providers, laboratories, suppliers, transport companies and other contractors. Depending on the organization of the specific facility, you may also directly lead local plant personnel.

An important part of your role will be monitoring plant performance. You will follow key operational indicators such as feedstock consumption, digester stability, biogas production, methane yield, biomethane output, energy consumption, equipment availability and digestate volumes. You will use this information to identify deviations, resolve bottlenecks and improve plant performance.

Safety and compliance will be central to your work. You will ensure that the plant operates in accordance with Latvian legislation, environmental permits, occupational health and safety requirements, internal HoSt procedures and applicable sustainability and quality standards.

Close cooperation with the Feedstock Manager is essential to coordinate feedstock deliveries, quality, inventories and the required feedstock mix. The role also involves working with local authorities, service providers, landowners, farmers and other stakeholders relevant to the plant’s operation.Although the position involves working independently at the local level, you will be part of HoSt Group’s international organization. Reporting to the Own to Operate business unit in the Netherlands, you will maintain regular communication with asset management, technical, biological and operational specialists.

Your responsibilities further include:

• Taking overall responsibility for the safe, reliable and efficient daily operation of an individual HoSt biogas and biomethane plant in Latvia, ensuring continuity of production and maximizing plant availability within agreed safety, environmental and operational limits;

• Planning, coordinating and supervising daily plant activities, including leading and supporting plant operators and other local personnel;

• Coordinating external contractors, maintenance providers, laboratories, suppliers and service companies, and ensuring effective communication and follow-up;

• Monitoring the biological process and overall plant performance, including digester stability, loading rates, temperature, pH, dry matter content, biogas production, methane content, biomethane upgrading performance and energy efficiency;

• Identifying process deviations, technical failures and operational risks, and coordinating timely corrective action, preventive and corrective maintenance, inspections, repairs and equipment replacements;

• Supporting the planning and execution of plant shutdowns and major maintenance activities;

• Monitoring the quality and consistency of incoming feedstocks, coordinating sampling and laboratory analysis where required, and supporting optimization of the feedstock mix in cooperation with biological specialists and the Feedstock Manager;

• Ensuring compliance with environmental permits, occupational health and safety requirements, fire-safety rules, HoSt Group procedures and other applicable Latvian regulations;

• Maintaining contact with relevant Latvian authorities and supporting inspections, reporting and permit-related processes;

• Ensuring that incidents, near misses, environmental deviations and equipment failures are properly recorded, investigated and reported;

• Maintaining accurate operational records, logbooks, maintenance documentation and compliance records, and preparing regular plant performance reports for the Own to Operate business unit in the Netherlands;

• Identifying opportunities to improve safety, production, efficiency, reliability and cost performance, and contributing to operational improvement initiatives across HoSt Group’s international Own to Operate portfolio;

• Participating in knowledge sharing and sharing best practices across HoSt Group’s international Own to Operate portfolio.

Who are you?

We are looking for a responsible, technically minded and practical professional who is comfortable taking ownership of an operational facility. You understand that successful plant management requires more than achieving production targets. Safety, environmental compliance, biological stability, equipment reliability, cost control and constructive local relationships are equally important.

You are visible at the plant, communicate clearly with operators and contractors and respond calmly and effectively when unexpected situations arise. You can work independently while maintaining structured communication with colleagues and management in the Netherlands.  

Because this is a locally based operational position, you understand the Latvian business and regulatory environment and can communicate effectively with employees, suppliers, contractors, authorities and other local stakeholders.

In addition, you have:

• Higher or professional technical education, preferably in engineering, energy, agriculture, environmental sciences, industrial operations or a related field;

• Relevant operational or management experience, as well as experience in biogas, biomethane, energy production, agriculture, food processing, wastewater treatment, waste management, industrial production or a comparable operational environment;

• Previous responsibility for a production facility, technical site, operational team or industrial process;

• Practical knowledge of plant operations, maintenance planning and contractor coordination;

• A good understanding of occupational health and safety, environmental compliance and operational risk management;

• Good knowledge of the local agricultural and business environment relevant to plant operations;

• The ability to understand and interpret technical and biological process data;

• A structured approach to operational reporting, maintenance records, budgets and compliance documentation;

• Leadership skills and the ability to coordinate employees, operators, contractors and technical specialists;

• A practical and hands-on working style, with a willingness to be present in all areas of the plant and a n entrepreneurial attitude: you identify what needs to be done, take initiative and follow actions through to completion;

• The ability to work independently while collaborating closely with international colleagues;

• Willingness to participate in an on-call arrangement and respond to urgent operational situations when required;

• Willingness to travel within Latvia and occasionally to HoSt Group locations outside Latvia;

• A valid Category B driving licence;

• Fluent Latvian and a good command of English.

Experience specifically within the biogas or biomethane industry is an advantage, but not essential. A strong understanding of agriculture, feedstock sourcing and supplier relationships combined with the willingness to learn the technical aspects of biomethane production can be equally valuable.

Our offer

• A key position in the development and operation of HoSt Group's biomethane activities in Latvia;

• Competitive remuneration corresponding to your experience and responsibilities;

• Social security and health insurance;

• Informal and open work culture;

• A high degree of independence, responsibility and influence over how feedstock management is organized in Latvia;

• An international working environment while maintaining strong involvement in the Latvian agricultural market;

• Opportunities for professional development as HoSt’s Own to Operate portfolio in Latvia continues to grow;

• A varied role combining plant management, technical operations, biological process monitoring, team coordination and stakeholder management;

• The opportunity to make a direct contribution to renewable energy production, circular agriculture and the development of the biogas industry in Latvia;

• An informal, entrepreneurial and down-to-earth working environment where initiative is valued.

Ready to get started?

Applying for a job at HoSt is quick and efficient. Apply now and send your CV and cover letter via the application button. You’ll hear from us within 14 days to let you know if you’ve been invited for a face-to-face interview.

Would you like more information beforehand? If so, please contact Irina Krasta (General Manager HoSt Latvia) on info@host.lv.