Staff Refinery Operations Specialist

Role Summary

The Operations Area Specialist  is responsible for the safe, reliable, and cost-effective day-to-day operation of assigned processing area(s). This position provides leadership and direction to operations personnel while promoting a culture of safety, environmental compliance, operational excellence, and continuous improvement. The Operations Area Specialist develops and mentors employees, drives performance, supports reliability initiatives, and ensures adherence to company policies, procedures, and operational standards. As a key member of the site leadership team, this role contributes to achieving production goals while fostering a positive, accountable, and engaged workforce.

Job Accountabilities

• Lead, direct, and supervise daily operations within assigned area(s) to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality production while meeting business objectives.
• Maintain a safe and healthy work environment by implementing and enforcing company safety standards, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Utilize technical expertise to optimize reliability, throughput, and operational performance within assigned units.
• Develop and implement operational improvement strategies to enhance efficiency, productivity, and cost effectiveness.
• Lead or participate in investigations involving injuries, incidents, accidents, and near misses and ensure appropriate corrective actions are implemented.
• Conduct routine safety audits, field observations, and area walk-throughs to maintain a clean, organized, and safe workplace.
• Ensure compliance with production, quality, reliability, environmental, and operational performance standards.
• Administer and ensure compliance with labor agreements, company policies, procedures, and operating standards.
• Analyze operational and performance data to identify opportunities for improvement and implement corrective actions.
• Support the training and development of operations personnel to ensure competency and compliance with safety, environmental, and operational requirements.
• Foster employee engagement, teamwork, and accountability through effective communication and leadership.
• Identify operational challenges and lead improvement efforts related to production processes, workforce effectiveness, overtime management, training, and overall efficiency.
• Oversee compliance, quality, reliability, and safety programs within assigned area(s).
• Achieve operational goals while maintaining a positive work environment, employee involvement, and strong team morale.
• Evaluate alternatives and make timely decisions in a fast-paced operating environment.
• Coordinate maintenance activities, planned shutdowns, and preventive maintenance schedules to maximize equipment reliability and operational efficiency.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Associate's Degree in Business, Science, Engineering, or a related technical discipline and seven (7) years of refinery, petrochemical, or chemical industry experience, including three (3) years in a leadership role; or equivalent military experience.

OR

• High School Diploma or GED and ten (10) years of refinery, petrochemical, or chemical industry experience, including five (5) years in a leadership role.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Working knowledge of refinery, chemical, or petrochemical process units.
• Demonstrated leadership, employee management, coaching, and mentoring skills.
• Ability to drive operational excellence through goal setting, accountability, and performance management.
• Proven ability to analyze operational and performance data to support business decisions.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Understanding of continuous improvement principles and change management practices.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships across all levels of the organization.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to interact professionally and effectively with employees, contractors, and cross-functional teams.
• Strong attention to detail and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
• Willingness to work rotating shifts, holidays, and overtime as required.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
• Must successfully complete a background check and drug screening.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Science, Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Ten (10) years of refinery, petrochemical, or chemical industry experience or equivalent military experience.
• Five (5) years of supervisory experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment, including responsibility for production, workforce management, training, scheduling, and performance improvement.
• Experience leading operations in a unionized work environment.
• Strong knowledge of OSHA regulations, environmental compliance requirements, and safe work practices.
• Experience establishing and communicating operational goals to achieve manufacturing excellence.
• Proficiency with SAP.
• Strong skills in operational analysis, budgeting, project management, problem solving, communication, leadership, and organizational effectiveness.
• Knowledge of and experience with 5S, Lean Manufacturing, and Six Sigma methodologies.
• OSHA 10-Hour or OSHA 30-Hour certification.

Key Leadership Competencies

• Safety Leadership
• Operational Excellence
• Employee Development
• Accountability and Decision Making
• Continuous Improvement
• Communication and Collaboration
• Change Leadership
• Results Orientation

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