In-Plant Operations Manager

Loadstar is a leader in product handling and site logistics services. Our customers are refineries, chemical plants, barge lines, and bulk storage terminals. We operate customer-owned loading racks, marine docks, warehouses, and rail yards. Our highly trained technicians handle every class of cargo including liquids, solids, and liquefied gases. Customers count on us to manage critical day-to-day operations on their behalf, at the highest levels of safety and efficiency.

Launched in 2021, Loadstar has over 200 employees working at sites throughout the Gulf Coast. We are a company on the rise, led by trusted leaders with decades of experience. We are devoted to excellence in all that we do. Our safety performance is among the best in the industry. We are focused on our employees and engage them in helping make our company better. Two years in a row they voted Loadstar as a Best Place to Work in the Greater Baton Rouge area.

We are focused on innovation and technology. Loadstar was among the first to use Virtual Reality, Artificial Intelligence, and other innovations to enhance our training, safety, and operations.

Loadstar is privately held, committed to the long term, and aspires to be recognized as an industry leader for generations to come.

Our in-plant business is growing. We are therefore seeing an exceptional leader to help manage these operations, someone who aligns with our values of integrity, perseverance, safety, service, innovation, and community.

Job Summary

As the Loadstar In-Plant Operations Manager, you will be responsible for operations at multiple sites. Some of these are daytime only, while others are 24-7. You will serve as the day-to-day liaison between our management, site leadership, and customers. The job carries significant responsibility, but it also offers leadership and development. You will engage in every element of the business, from employee selection and development to innovation, business planning, incident investigation and response, continuous improvement, and driving efficiencies. Your overall objective is to deliver superior experience for employees and customers. You will be on the front lines of advancing our mission to be the industry’s premier service provider.

Job Requirements

• Experience: At least 5 years in operations or management roles with a solid foundation in leadership and operational processes.
• Credentials: Valid Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card.
• Knowledge: Strong understanding of business management, workflow optimization, and organizational dynamics to effectively lead teams and drive performance.
• Incident Investigation: Experience in root cause analysis and preparing comprehensive reports to tackle operational challenges and prevent future incidents.
• Work History: A proven track record of reliability, competence, and professionalism in prior roles, with positive employer references.

Key Responsibilities

• Safety First: Champion safety initiatives by ensuring compliance with training and regulatory requirements and actively promoting the goal zero mindset across the team.
• Build Strong Relationships: Foster collaborative partnerships with customers to not only meet but exceed expectations through exceptional service and tailored solutions.
• Lead with Impact: Guide plant site leaders and supervisors, cultivating a high performing, engaged team committed to safety and productivity.
• Talent Development: Shape the next generation of leaders by identifying high-potential employees and providing mentorship, coaching, and career growth opportunities.
• Operational Excellence: oversee operations across multiple locations, ensuring consistency, efficiency, and compliance with company policies. Coordinate with location supervisors with focus on optimizing processes and maintaining quality standards.
• Recruitment and Staffing: Collaborate with HR to strategically recruit field employees who align with Loadstar’s values and mission, ensuring the workforce is both capable and motivated to achieve success.
• Continuous Improvement: Drive a culture of constant improvement by embracing best practices and fostering innovation in processes, systems, and performance metrics.
• Incident Management: Respond to incidents swiftly, lead investigations with a focus on root cause analysis, and implement corrective actions to ensure ongoing safety and compliance.
• Be a Role Model: Uphold and reinforce Loadstar’s culture, values, and excellence standards, serving as a model of professionalism, integrity, and dedication.
• Drive Change: Lead efforts to communicate and implement policy updates, ensuring employees are informed and in compliance with evolving procedures.
• Coaching and Feedback: Conduct regular coaching sessions with in-plant employees and supervisors, ensuring they understand and excel in best practices.

Essential Job Functions

• Customer Relations: Develop and nurture strong customer relationships, ensuring exceptional service and high customer satisfaction.
• Team Leadership: Inspire and motivate site leaders and supervisors to maintain a productive, engaged, and safe work environment.
• Employee Growth: Create and execute leadership development plans that foster the growth of high-potential employees into future leaders.
• Safety & Performance Monitoring: Ensure the communication and achievement of safety and performance goals through regular monitoring and follow-ups with supervisors and employees.
• Operational Leadership: Guide operational improvements by aligning day-to-day activities with broader organizational goals and performance targets.
• Cultural Leadership: Serve as a strong advocate for Loadstar’s culture and commitment to excellence, fostering a positive work environment.
• Staffing: Collaborate with HR to ensure the right team members are in place to meet operational demands and optimize workforce productivity.
• Coaching & Feedback: Regularly engage with employees to provide actionable feedback and coaching on performance improvements and career development.
• Compliance: Assist supervisors in the preparation and delivery of safety meetings and ensure all required compliance training is completed.
• Incident Response: Lead the response to operational incidents, ensure thorough investigations and continuous improvement to prevent future occurrences.
• Knowledge Sharing: Collaborate with peers, share insights, and actively seek feedback to continuously refine best practices across operations.

Employee Benefits

• Medical insurance options with the company paying a large portion of the premiums, including affordable dental and vision plans for employees and their families.
• Company-paid life, short-term, and long-term disability insurance
• Matching 401(k) plan to help employees save money for retirement
• Vacation, sick leave, and holiday benefits (varies by work group)
• Training and development programs that set the industry standard

Physical Requirements

• Ability to speak, write, and read fluent English, with excellent vision for detailed work.
• Willingness to work outdoors in varying conditions for extended periods.
• Ability to pass the required medical examination and maintain a safe working environment.
• Must wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) properly to ensure safety.
• Regularly use hands/fingers to handle or control tools or equipment.
• Occasionally lift and carry items up to 50 pounds.

Loadstar is an Equal Opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law Loadstar is a veteran-friendly company. Previous military experience and proven ability to follow procedures a plus.

Every effort has been made to ensure a complete job description. However, this document in no way implies that these responsibilities are the only duties you may be required to perform. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position, especially where the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for the role.

You must be able to perform each individual essential duty properly with or without reasonable accommodation to be successful. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.