VP of Operations
About Hertha Metals, Inc.:
Hertha Metals is redefining how the world makes steel. We’ve developed a breakthrough single-step steelmaking process that uses gas reductants to convert iron ore of any grade or form, delivering lower production costs and emissions than blast furnaces—while improving product quality and scalability. Having operated the world’s largest single-step steelmaking pilot plant, we’re now scaling toward commercial deployment. Our mission is to redefine the foundation of modern industry by scaling cleaner, more efficient, and more cost competitive metalmaking systems. At Hertha, engineers, metallurgists, and operators work side by side to transform the future of steel making.
VP OF OPERATIONS
Hertha Metals is seeking a hands-on, execution-driven VP OF OPERATIONS to lead operational strategy, plant execution, and scale-up as the company transitions from pilot operations to commercial-scale deployment. This role is central to ensuring Hertha’s technology is operated safely, reliably, and repeatably while building the operational foundation required for multi-plant growth.
This is not a purely administrative or oversight role. The VP OF OPERATIONS must be comfortable operating in a plant environment, making real-time operational decisions, and owning outcomes across plant build-out, commissioning, day-to-day operations, and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
To be successful in this role, the VP OF OPERATIONS must have a strong understanding of industrial plant operations, safety systems, and the realities of scaling first-of-kind technologies into repeatable, commercial operations. This position will work closely with Engineering, Safety, and Commercial teams to align operational execution with Hertha’s technical and business objectives.
The VP OF OPERATIONS is expected to spend meaningful time in and around plant operations to observe performance firsthand, identify risks, and ensure safe, disciplined execution across current and future facilities. This role requires a pragmatic, hands-on leadership approach, strong cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to translate strategy into executable operating systems.
Given the dynamic nature of pilot and scale-up operations, the VP OF OPERATIONS must be comfortable operating in an evolving environment, making decisions with incomplete information, and adjusting priorities as operational realities change. Sound judgment, accountability, and ownership are critical to success in this role.
Additional Skills:
Experience leading plant build-out, commissioning, startup, and ramp-up of industrial facilities in pilot or early commercial environments
Strong understanding of plant operations, maintenance, reliability, and production systems
Ability to establish and enforce safety-first operating cultures in high-risk industrial environments
Comfort working with operational KPIs, production data, and cost metrics to drive data-informed decision making
Experience identifying operational risks, failure modes, and scale-up challenges in first-of-kind or early commercial systems
Proven ability to build, lead, and develop plant leadership teams and frontline operators
Strong cross-functional collaboration skills with the ability to align operations, engineering, and technology teams
Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in fast-paced environments with shifting priorities
Your Experience:
15+ years of experience in heavy industry, manufacturing, energy, metals, or related industrial environments
Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering, Operations, Metallurgy, or a closely related technical discipline
Proven experience leading plant operations, scale-up, or major industrial expansions
Experience operating in plant-based environments and partnering closely with safety and engineering teams
Strong operational judgment with the ability to make decisions in complex, time-sensitive situations
Demonstrated experience building and leading large, multidisciplinary operations teams
Ability to translate operational strategy into safe, repeatable, and scalable execution
Experience engaging executive leadership, boards, and external stakeholders on operational matters
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
Highly accountable, execution-focused leader with a strong sense of ownership. Organized and disciplined in approach, able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, evolving environment while maintaining focus on long-term operational and business objectives. Collaborative leadership style that promotes trust, clear communication, and cross-functional alignment.
LEVEL OF INDEPENDENCE
Able to operate independently with a high degree of autonomy and ownership while leading complex, long-term operational initiatives through to completion. Comfortable navigating varying levels of oversight, from autonomous decision-making to close collaboration with executive leadership and the Board, as required by the stage and scope of operations.
Location:
Hertha Metals’ headquarters are in Conroe, TX, just outside of Houston.
Hertha Culture:
Inspired by the work and character of the late Hertha Ayrton, we are pioneers, innovators, and risk-takers who are mission driven towards changing the world. We are:
Mission-Obsessed – We are deeply committed, driven, and passionate about achieving our mission of being the catalyst for decarbonizing metals production.
Anti-Bloat – We operate as a lean, efficient agile team to maximize impact.
Leave the “I” at home – We face challenges together, knowing that collaboration and unity are the keys to our success.
Safety First – Safety is our top priority in everything we do! NO EXCEPTIONS.
Aim High – We achieve what others consider impossible.
What we offer:
Competitive startup compensation package based on expertise
Stock ownership in a funded company innovating in a trillion-dollar industry
Paid + unpaid parental leave after 1 year of employment (12 weeks paid, with flexible transition options)
Growth opportunities within a mission-driven, high-performance team
Time off designed to support sustainability and prevent burnout
401(k) plan for employees with at least one year of service
Hertha Metals is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We firmly prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions at Hertha Metals are based on the expertise that the position calls for, without regard to race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, or age.
About Hertha Metals, Inc.:
Hertha Metals is redefining how the world makes steel. We’ve developed a breakthrough single-step steelmaking process that uses gas reductants to convert iron ore of any grade or form, delivering lower production costs and emissions than blast furnaces—while improving product quality and scalability. Having operated the world’s largest single-step steelmaking pilot plant, we’re now scaling toward commercial deployment. Our mission is to redefine the foundation of modern industry by scaling cleaner, more efficient, and more cost competitive metalmaking systems. At Hertha, engineers, metallurgists, and operators work side by side to transform the future of steel making.
Chief Operating Officer
Hertha Metals is seeking a hands-on, execution-driven Chief Operating Officer to lead operational strategy, plant execution, and scale-up as the company transitions from pilot operations to commercial-scale deployment. This role is central to ensuring Hertha’s technology is operated safely, reliably, and repeatably while building the operational foundation required for multi-plant growth.
This is not a purely administrative or oversight role. The COO must be comfortable operating in a plant environment, making real-time operational decisions, and owning outcomes across plant build-out, commissioning, day-to-day operations, and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
To be successful in this role, the candidate must have a strong understanding of industrial plant operations, safety systems, and the realities of scaling first-of-kind technologies into repeatable, commercial operations. This position will work closely with Engineering, Safety, and Commercial teams to align operational execution with Hertha’s technical and business objectives.
The VP OF OPS is expected to spend meaningful time in and around plant operations to observe performance firsthand, identify risks, and ensure safe, disciplined execution across current and future facilities. This role requires a pragmatic, hands-on leadership approach, strong cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to translate strategy into executable operating systems.
Given the dynamic nature of pilot and scale-up operations, the VP OF OPS must be comfortable operating in an evolving environment, making decisions with incomplete information, and adjusting priorities as operational realities change. Sound judgment, accountability, and ownership are critical to success in this role.
Additional Skills:
Experience leading plant build-out, commissioning, startup, and ramp-up of industrial facilities in pilot or early commercial environments
Strong understanding of plant operations, maintenance, reliability, and production systems
Ability to establish and enforce safety-first operating cultures in high-risk industrial environments
Comfort working with operational KPIs, production data, and cost metrics to drive data-informed decision making
Experience identifying operational risks, failure modes, and scale-up challenges in first-of-kind or early commercial systems
Proven ability to build, lead, and develop plant leadership teams and frontline operators
Strong cross-functional collaboration skills with the ability to align operations, engineering, and technology teams
Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in fast-paced environments with shifting priorities
Your Experience:
15+ years of experience in heavy industry, manufacturing, energy, metals, or related industrial environments
Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering, Operations, Metallurgy, or a closely related technical discipline
Proven experience leading plant operations, scale-up, or major industrial expansions
Experience operating in plant-based environments and partnering closely with safety and engineering teams
Strong operational judgment with the ability to make decisions in complex, time-sensitive situations
Demonstrated experience building and leading large, multidisciplinary operations teams
Ability to translate operational strategy into safe, repeatable, and scalable execution
Experience engaging executive leadership, boards, and external stakeholders on operational matters
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
Highly accountable, execution-focused leader with a strong sense of ownership. Organized and disciplined in approach, able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, evolving environment while maintaining focus on long-term operational and business objectives. Collaborative leadership style that promotes trust, clear communication, and cross-functional alignment.
LEVEL OF INDEPENDENCE
Able to operate independently with a high degree of autonomy and ownership while leading complex, long-term operational initiatives through to completion. Comfortable navigating varying levels of oversight, from autonomous decision-making to close collaboration with executive leadership and the Board, as required by the stage and scope of operations.
Location:
Hertha Metals’ headquarters are in Conroe, TX, just outside of Houston.
Hertha Culture:
Inspired by the work and character of the late Hertha Ayrton, we are pioneers, innovators, and risk-takers who are mission driven towards changing the world. We are:
Mission-Obsessed – We are deeply committed, driven, and passionate about achieving our mission of being the catalyst for decarbonizing metals production.
Anti-Bloat – We operate as a lean, efficient agile team to maximize impact.
Leave the “I” at home – We face challenges together, knowing that collaboration and unity are the keys to our success.
Safety First – Safety is our top priority in everything we do! NO EXCEPTIONS.
Aim High – We achieve what others consider impossible.
What we offer:
Competitive startup compensation package based on expertise
Stock ownership in a funded company innovating in a trillion-dollar industry
Paid + unpaid parental leave after 1 year of employment (12 weeks paid, with flexible transition options)
Growth opportunities within a mission-driven, high-performance team
Time off designed to support sustainability and prevent burnout
401(k) plan for employees with at least one year of service
Hertha Metals is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We firmly prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions at Hertha Metals are based on the expertise that the position calls for, without regard to race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, or age.