[Gasification] Job Opp: Director of Manufacturing Operations- GEK Gasifier / ALL Power Labs.

[jim mason]

(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
gek at allpowerlabs.org

Thank you,


Jim Mason
Founder/Director


-- 
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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