Data Center Plant Manager

The Data Center Plant Manager is responsible for overall leadership, strategy, and operational excellence within a fast-paced start-up data center environment. This role oversees all functional areas—including facilities, critical infrastructure, operations, safety, and staffing—to ensure the site runs reliably and efficiently. The Plant Manager supports a 24/7 operation with teams working across all shifts, and must be comfortable leading in an environment that involves physical activity, variable temperatures, and continuous coordination with technical, facilities, and vendor partners.

About the Role

Provide strategic and day-to-day leadership for all data center operations, including facilities management, critical infrastructure, and technician teams.
Ensure uninterrupted operations through effective oversight of power, cooling, mechanical, electrical, and IT infrastructure systems.
Develop, implement, and continuously improve operating procedures, maintenance programs, and emergency response plans.
Lead workforce planning, recruitment, scheduling, and performance management for site operations.
Oversee incident management, root cause analysis, service restoration, and long-term corrective action implementation.
Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, physical security, and regulatory requirements.
Manage operational budgets, capital planning, forecasting, and vendor contracts to support site priorities.
Maintain accurate documentation, reporting, asset inventories, and audit readiness.
Collaborate closely with Engineering, IT, Security, Construction, and Executive teams during expansion, commissioning, and special projects.
Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and operational discipline.
Provide clear communication and reporting to senior leadership on site performance, risks, and progress against objectives.

Qualifications

7+ years of experience in data center operations, mission-critical facilities, industrial plant management, or a related environment.
3+ years of leadership or plant/site management experience required.
Strong understanding of critical electrical and mechanical systems (UPS, generators, switchgear, chillers, CRAC/CRAH, etc.).
Proven ability to manage 24/7 operations with multiple teams and shifting priorities.
Demonstrated success in developing processes in a start-up or scaling environment.
Excellent leadership, communication, budgeting, and decision-making skills.
Ability to walk the facility, lift up to 40 lbs, work around equipment, and operate in both warm and cool areas as needed.
Flexibility to support all shifts, emergency situations, and on-call requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Facilities Management, Operations Management, or related field.
Certifications such as PMP, CFM, CDCP, or equivalent technical credentials.
Experience with lean/continuous improvement methodologies.
Prior experience commissioning or launching a new data center is highly advantageous.

Compensation

DP World offers exciting and challenging roles within a growing international organization. We strive to hire and develop the right people, locally and globally, stimulating personal growth and self-development within an informal atmosphere. We offer a market competitive compensation package.

About DP World

Trade is the lifeblood of the global economy, creating opportunities and improving the quality of life for people around the world. DP World exists to make the world’s trade flow better, changing what’s possible for the customers and communities we serve globally.

With a dedicated, diverse and professional team of more than 111,000 employees from 159 nationalities, spanning 77 countries on six continents, DP World is pushing trade further and faster towards a seamless supply chain that’s fit for the future.

We’re rapidly transforming and integrating our businesses -- Ports and Terminals, Marine Services, Logistics and Technology – and uniting our global infrastructure with local expertise to create stronger, more efficient end-to-end supply chain solutions that can change the way the world trades.

What's more, we're reshaping the future by investing in innovation. From intelligent delivery systems to automated warehouse stacking, we’re at the cutting edge of disruptive technology, pushing the sector towards better ways to trade, minimising disruptions from the factory floor to the customer’s door.

DP World is on a mission to transcend boundaries and bridge the gap between all nations and cultures – not just in what we do but also in how we behave.

We are dedicated to creating a culture where everyone feels respected, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential. We believe that embracing inclusion and diversity, drives innovation and growth and helps us connect people, businesses, and societies. Free minds and different perspectives are changing our world, and together we can change what’s possible.

The DP World family comprises of syncreon, Imperial and P&O.

WE MAKE TRADE FLOW

TO CHANGE WHAT'S POSSIBLE FOR EVERYONE.

Nearest Major Market: Kansas City
Job Segment: Database, Logistics, Supply Chain Manager, Data Center, Facilities, Technology, Operations

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