Operational Manager

SAYBOLT BELGIUM NV; Antwerpen; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Core Laboratories in Belgium is seeking an Operations Manager to oversee day-to-day operations, coordinating with inspectors, laboratories and customers. The role includes occasional on-call duty, night and weekend shifts, and participation in customer meetings abroad, including Denmark.

The position requires a relevant degree, maritime operations experience, strong business acumen, and excellent communication. Travel and confidentiality are essential in this client-facing role.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or higher degree in a relevant field.
• Experience in maritime sector or related operations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Analytical and results-oriented mindset.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the operations process from order receipt to final reporting.
• Maintain daily communication and provide updates to customers.
• Plan and coordinate operational tasks efficiently; collaborate with inspectors, laboratory staff and invoicing.
• Participate in on-call duty schedule, including night and weekend shifts.
• Attend customer meetings domestically and internationally and support continuous improvement.

Skills

Strong communication

Analytical mindset

Stakeholder management

MS Office proficiency

Education

Relevant higher education degree

Tools

MS Office

Job description

SUMMARY

The Operations Manager will play a key role in managing operational tasks, coordinating with inspectors, laboratories, and customers, and ensuring smooth day-to-day operations. The position includes occasionally participation in our on-call duty schedule, covering both day and weekend shifts. Customer meetings in Denmark and abroad also required.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Oversee the operations process from order receipt to final reporting. Maintain daily communication and provide updates to customers. Plan and coordinate operational tasks efficiently. Collaborate closely with inspectors, laboratory staff, and the invoicing team. Assist in solving operational challenges and ensuring smooth workflows. Participate occasionally in the on-call duty schedule, including night and weekend shifts. Attend customer meetings both domestically and internationally. Participate and contributing to continuous improvement and efficiency. To always respect and protect company and client confidentiality. Perform additional duties as assigned, demonstrating adaptability and a commitment to operational excellence.

QUALIFICATIONS

A relevant higher education degree. Experience in the maritime sector (e.g., ship captain, oil terminal/refinery operations, shipping agency, or similar). Strong business acumen and strategic thinking abilities. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Analytical and results-oriented mindset. Customer-focused approach, with the ability to identify and address customer needs effectively. Proficiency in English at a business level. Knowledge of HSSEQ and the oil/energy industry is an advantage.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES

Strong understanding of maritime and oil industry operations. Ability to work independently while maintaining a structured and solution-oriented approach. Strong problem-solving skills with attention to detail. Effective stakeholder management and negotiation skills. Adaptability to changing priorities and operational demands. A proactive and service-minded attitude. Commitment to safety regulations and quality assurance standards. Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.

COMPETENCIES

Business Acumen: interpret external trends, business context, strategy, and operations of the organization and analyse customer needs, and co-creates business strategy and operational solutions that create value and impact to achieve sustainable business results

Execution Excellence: deliver impact through practical problem-solving, finding practical solutions to navigate and overcome obstacles; engagement with stakeholders, achieving shared goals using effective interpersonal skills; and purposeful execution, implements actionable and adaptive plans to achieve results.

People Advocacy: build human-centric organizational cultures that promote performance, productivity and wellbeing, navigating change, and holding the organization to ethical standards, ensuring ethical conduct and compliance, and mitigating people risks.

Data Literacy: analyse, interpret, and communicate operational data to derive actionable insights, inform decision-making, and operational improvements to achieve strategic business objectives.

Digital Agility: utilize technology to enhance operational efficiency and prepare the organization to adopt digital practices.

People Analytics: collecting and applying organizational and operational data to improve critical business outcomes

Leading Self: has a self-awareness of how actions are perceived and how to respond to feedback. Leading with empathy towards others and understanding the world from their point of view.

Leading Others: Inspires, motivates, and supports team members to achieve their best. Builds strong relationships, promotes collaboration, and effectively manages conflict.

Decision-Making: Analyzes complex situations quickly and effectively to make timely, well-reasoned decisions.

Customer Orientation:Focused on delivering high-quality service and meeting client expectations.

Strategic Thinking:Ability to analyze and optimize workflows for efficiency.

HSSEQ Awareness:Understanding of safety, security, and quality standards within the industry (advantageous).

Operational Coordination:Ability to oversee and manage multiple operational tasks efficiently.

Communication & Collaboration:Strong interpersonal skills to liaise with internal teams and customers.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. This position resides within a normal office working environment. International travel will be required. Core Laboratories, including all of its affiliated and related entities, is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. Employment decisions are made regardless of characteristics including, but not limited to, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, religion, genetic information, protected veteran or uniformed service member status, and any other characteristic protected under applicable law. Core Laboratories is the Reservoir Optimization Company Core Laboratories Inc. is a leading provider of proprietary and patented reservoir description and production enhancement services and products used to optimize petroleum reservoir performance. The Company has over 70 offices in more than 50 countries and is located in every major oil-producing province in the world. We are well-positioned to serve the growing needs of the energy transition while continuing to fulfill the demand for reliable and affordable energy sources like crude oil and natural gas. Our services, products, expertise, and innovations will continue to be essential as our clients meet the growing demand for energy globally. At Core Lab, our values matter: Safety, Honesty and Integrity, Customer Focus, Building Trust, and Employee Development. We regard our employees as our greatest asset. We believe that identifying, attracting, developing, and retaining talent are significant actions because our people are so important.