Job Description

The Area Manager of Operations is responsible for leading and managing a team of field supervisors and overseeing all field-based operations related to the distribution, transmission, and maintenance of natural gas systems. This position plays a critical role in ensuring regulatory compliance, optimizing operational performance, and maintaining the highest standards of safety and environmental stewardship.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide the Operations team with clear direction on daily responsibilities while ensuring adherence to all applicable state, local, and company health, safety, and environmental (HSE) practices.
• Lead the team’s safety training initiatives, ensuring all required certifications and mandated training programs are completed and maintained in compliance with regulatory standards.
• Manage day-to-day field operations, including construction, maintenance, inspection, and emergency response.
• Continuously monitor system performance metrics to assess the reliability, efficiency, and integrity of our natural gas operations.
• Identify trends, potential issues, and areas for improvement, and implement proactive solutions to enhance system reliability and minimize unplanned outages or service disruptions.
• Enforce adherence to all local, state, and federal safety regulations (e.g., DOT, OSHA, PHMSA).
• Conduct safety meetings, audits, and incident investigations.
• Promote a strong safety culture across field teams.
• Lead, train, and manage field technicians, foremen, and subcontractors.
• Recruit and onboard new field staff as needed.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations to provide constructive feedback, recognize achievements, and support employee development.
• Collaborate with the management team and Human Resources to manage employee performance while ensuring employee concerns and grievances are handled professionally, fairly, and in a timely manner.
• Coordinate with engineering, procurement, and contractors to support capital and maintenance projects.
• Ensure projects are completed on time, within scope, and budget.
• Collaborate with Engineering team to develop purging and commissioning plans/procedures.
• Maintain accurate records of field activities and progress.
• Liaise with regulatory bodies, landowners, emergency responders, and other stakeholders.
• Report on field activities, issues, and KPIs to senior management.
• Identify and implement reliability improvements and communicate across assets to ensure everyone is following best practice.
• Oversee inspection and maintenance of pipelines, compressor stations, metering equipment, and other infrastructure.
• Manage field inventories, tools, and mobile equipment.
• Assist with cash flow planning and expense monitoring to ensure operational spending remains within budgetary guidelines while identifying cost-saving opportunities and supporting overall financial efficiency.
• Communicate regularly with Gas Schedulers and Gas Control Center.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Technology, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 7+ years of progressive experience in natural gas operations, including at least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of pipeline systems, regulatory compliance, and field procedures.
• Proven ability to lead and develop teams in a dynamic field environment.
• Excellent problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.
• Proficiency in operational software, GIS, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Valid driver’s license; willingness to travel regularly to field sites.

Working Conditions:

• May work in low-lit areas
• Must be able to withstand extreme weather conditions, occasionally
• Must be able to occasionally enter confined spaces, climb to and work from elevated platforms, ladders, walkways, etc.
• Travel, including occasional overnight stays of several days, may be required to support field operations, training, or company initiatives.

Benefits:

This position is Full-Time located in Midland, TX or Sealy, TX. Selected candidate is eligible for employer matched 401(k), medical, dental, vision, basic life and AD&D insurances and other benefit offerings.