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Kern Energy CA · 2 months ago

Director of Operations and Maintenance

Bakersfield, CA, USA

Full-time

Onsite

Director/Executive

$170K/yr - $284K/yr

7+ years exp

Kern Energy is seeking a visionary leader to champion operational excellence across their operations and maintenance teams. As the Director of Operations & Maintenance, you will lead multidisciplinary teams, drive performance through data analytics, and ensure safe and compliant facility performance.

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Responsibilities

Lead and empower multidisciplinary teams across refinery, turnaround, and pipeline operations

Champion safety, compliance, and environmental stewardship

Drive performance and reliability through data analytics, CMMS advancements, and continuous improvement

Collaborate across the organization to integrate cutting-edge technologies and deliver key strategic projects and initiatives

Shape the future of Kern Energy through cultivating talent, mentorship, and embracing a growth mindset emphasizing continuous improvement

Provide vision and strategic direction for refinery operations and maintenance, ensuring safe, compliant, and reliable facility performance

Develop and oversee long-term plans for refinery operations, maintenance, reliability, and turnaround activities

Align operational and maintenance strategies with the company’s business objectives, budgets, and performance goals

Lead daily operations across refinery processes, laboratory services, and pipeline systems, ensuring production targets, quality standards, and regulatory compliance

Direct all maintenance activities, including preventative and reliability-centered programs, equipment repairs, and large-scale projects such as turnarounds

Optimize use of the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) to track, manage, and improve workflows

Oversee pipeline operations, ensuring safe and efficient transportation and integration into refinery processes

Collaborate with engineering, supply chain, and project teams to integrate new projects and technologies with minimal operational disruption

Champion a culture of safety, accountability, and environmental stewardship across all operations and maintenance activities

Partner with Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) teams to develop and maintain emergency response plans, manage incident investigations, and ensure compliance with all laws, regulations, and permits

Drive reliability initiatives by analyzing performance data, monitoring key metrics, and implementing corrective and preventive actions

Lead initiatives to improve operational efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness using data analytics and performance benchmarking

Develop and manage operational and maintenance budgets, including refinery, laboratory, pipeline, and turnaround costs

Identify opportunities for resource optimization, cost control, and sustainable improvements

Build and maintain strong relationships with vendors, contractors, regulators, and community stakeholders

Ensure effective third-party integration into refinery operations while safeguarding safety, compliance, and quality standards

Directly oversee operations, maintenance, turnaround, laboratory, and pipeline leadership teams

Provide coaching, mentorship, and succession planning for department leaders, supervisors, and staff

Set performance expectations, conduct evaluations, and ensure accountability to high-performance standards

Promote workforce development by identifying training needs, career path opportunities, and leadership development

Allocate resources effectively, manage workloads, and resolve conflicts within the team

Qualification

Refinery processesPipeline operationsCMMS proficiencyData analyticsTurnaround planningReliability programsBudgetingSafety commitmentLeadershipCommunication skillsProblem-solving

Required

Extensive knowledge of refinery processes, pipeline operations, laboratory systems, and maintenance best practices

Strong expertise in turnaround planning, reliability programs, project integration, and emergency response

Proven ability to lead large multidisciplinary teams and drive organizational change

Demonstrated financial acumen in budgeting, cost control, and resource allocation

Proficiency in CMMS and use of data analytics to optimize operations and maintenance

Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills with the ability to influence at all levels

Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills, particularly under pressure

Commitment to safety, compliance, and continuous improvement

Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field or equivalent refinery operations leadership experience

7+ years of refinery or chemical plant leadership experience in operations and/or maintenance, including significant supervisory or managerial roles

Experience leading turnaround projects, reliability programs, and cross-functional initiatives