Refinery Lab Manager

Position Summary:

This position provides technical support, leadership and oversight for product quality analysis at refinery lab facilities and is responsible for all operational and technical activities related to product quality functions at the lab.

• Responsible for overseeing and leading the work of company staff and contractors, including chemists and technicians.
• Monitors lab operational activities to ensure compliance to applicable industry standards and Big West Oil adopted policies, standards and procedures.
• Ensures effective communication and coordinating between plant operations and lab activities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead and develop employees to meet organizational expectations for productivity, quality and goal accomplishment.
• Attend daily operation meetings and report on any impacts to operations.
• Communicate organization information through department meetings, one-on-one meetings and appropriate electronic and interpersonal communications.
• Manage the overall laboratory operations to ensure accurate, timely data for product quality.
• Prepare lab expense and capital budgets.
• Provide technical subject matter expertise on product analytical methods, specifications, and equipment.
• Must keep up to date with changing technology and standards in the chemical analysis field.
• Plan, evaluate, and improve processes, procedures and controls to enhance quality, efficiency, and output of laboratory facilities.
• Make business decisions that are financially responsible, accountable, justifiable, and defensible in accordance with company goals, regulatory policies, and industry best practices.
• Establish and maintain controls to monitor the operation of the lab. Ensure the health and safety of lab personnel. Ensure state, federal, company and industry standards are followed.
• Coordinate lab technician shift schedules for 24/7 lab coverage.
• Monitor fuels additive program and efficacy. Evaluate new products.
• Assist the Fuels Compliance Manager with report preparation.
• Support the blend chemist with fuel production planning, blend planning and optimization.
• Support the QC chemist with technical questions and training.
• Hazardous shipping certification is a plus.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities, as assigned.

Supervisory Duties:

Manages, directs, oversees and supports personnel directly related to the laboratory facilities and operations: 14-16 full time employees contractors and interns.

Job Qualifications:

• Degree in relevant Chemistry, Science or Engineering from a 4 year accredited college or university, with 5-10 years of experience in hydrocarbon refining analytical product quality. Or 15 years of experience in refining analytical product quality with management experience.
• Must demonstrate effective leadership, management and people skills.
• Proficient at managing budgets and multiple projects.
• Demonstrate thorough knowledge of industry standards, analytical equipment and software systems.
• Be adaptable and comfortable coping with change and ambiguity.
• Demonstrated ability to: set priorities appropriately, eliminate roadblocks; create focus for department.
• Display strong, well-developed written and verbal communication skills.
• Write reports, summaries, policies, procedures and memos using appropriate format and grammar.
• Must be a team player and encourage collaboration within the group for both educational and problem solving purposes.
• Communicate at the appropriate level of detail so those employees receive the information needed to do their jobs. Gain the trust and support of peers.
• Work well with individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds from field to executive.
• Demonstrate ability to make solid business decisions based upon a mixture of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgment.
• Learn quickly.
• Ability to recognize and analyze both successes and failures.

Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires sitting throughout most of the day, interspersed with frequent walks to monitor lab activities or to other buildings in the plant. Must be able to enter and work in plant environment with light duty responsibilities. Walking on uneven terrain may be required during normal work duties.
• Working Environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is often exposed to outside weather conditions, which could range from extreme cold to hot, humid conditions. Proper PPE must be used in work areas.
• Materials and Equipment Used: Various analytical lab equipment, Refinery Product Samples and Standards, Standard Office Equipment and Computer Products.