Regional Manager - Spain

Saybolt España S.A.; Madrid; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Saybolt España S.A. is seeking a Regional Manager in Spain to oversee the operational performance of assigned branches, including inspection and laboratory operations, personnel deployment, quality and safety. You will report to the Country Manager and link branch performance to country plans.

You will drive productivity, control budgets, ensure compliance with quality and safety standards, and lead managers across branches while supporting commercial objectives and customer satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Fluent in Spanish and English; ability to interpret technical procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Strong analytical skills to review budgets, financial reports and operational data.
• Proven leadership of multiple branches or geographically dispersed teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead Branch Managers in daily management of inspection and laboratory operations to ensure timely service per customer requirements.
• Set branch objectives, conduct performance reviews and visits, implement corrective actions for underperformance.
• Coordinate personnel, equipment and capacity across branches; manage contingency plans for peaks, shortages and equipment failures.

Skills

Fluent Spanish & English

Leadership of dispersed teams

Budget & financial analysis

Operational excellence

Education

Degree in petroleum, petrochemical, scientific, engineering or related field

Job description

SUMMARY

Manage the operational performance and profitability of the assigned Spanish branches, including inspection and laboratory operations, personnel, resource deployment, quality and safety. Reporting directly to the Country Manager, the Regional Manager provides a clear management link between the Country Manager and the Branch Managers and ensures consistent execution of approved country plans.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Operational leadership and branch performance

• Lead Branch Managers in the day-to-day management of inspection and laboratory operations, ensuring timely, accurate service delivery in accordance with customer requirements and company standards.
• Set branch objectives, conduct regular performance reviews and branch visits, and implement corrective plans where service, productivity or profitability falls below expectations.
• Coordinate personnel, equipment and technical capacity across assigned branches; maintain contingency plans for workload peaks, staffing shortages and equipment failures.
• Standardize operating practices and improve productivity, resource utilization and cooperation between branches.

Financial management

• Prepare and consolidate branch budgets and forecasts for review by the Country Manager; manage performance against approved budgets and submit required financial reports on time.
• Review revenue, profitability, labor costs, overtime, subcontractors and other operating expenses; investigate material variances and deliver agreed recovery actions.
• Review headcount, equipment and capital requests, providing a documented business case and recommendation to the Country Manager.

Quality, safety and compliance

• Ensure Branch Managers maintain required quality control records, technical procedures and audit documentation, and comply with applicable accreditation, customer and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee the accuracy, integrity and timely reporting of inspection and laboratory results, working with technical and quality personnel within their assigned responsibilities.
• Ensure employees receive required technical, safety and policy training and maintain documented competency and authorization for their activities.
• Maintain safe working practices, appropriate PPE, good housekeeping and safe handling and disposal of hazardous materials.
• Escalate unsafe conditions and stop unsafe activities.
• Ensure incidents, near misses, complaints and non-conformances are investigated, with corrective actions assigned, tracked, verified and closed; address recurring issues across branches.
• Ensure that actual working hours and overtime are accurately recorded and reviewed with HR, and that staffing arrangements reflect approved working schedules and applicable requirements.

People leadership

• Coach and evaluate Branch Managers; ensure consistent performance management, employee development and succession planning across assigned branches.
• Coordinate workforce planning and recruitment with HR and the Country Manager; ensure recruitment, promotions, compensation changes and employee matters follow company approval processes.
• Monitor workload, employee availability and approved working arrangements, adjusting operational coverage to support service continuity and employee wellbeing.

Commercial and customer support

• Support the Country Manager’s commercial plans by maintaining customer contacts, identifying new opportunities and promoting Saybolt services within the assigned area.
• Work with commercial and technical teams to align customer commitments with operational capability, capacity and approved pricing and contractual terms.
• Resolve operational customer concerns promptly and elevate significant complaints, claims or contractual issues to the Country Manager.

Reporting and continuous improvement

• Provide consolidated operational and financial reporting, including staffing, overtime, service performance, quality, safety, customer issues and progress against improvement actions.
• Escalate significant safety, quality, financial, customer or personnel risks immediately, with recommended actions.
• Lead agreed improvement and digitalization initiatives and share effective practices across the branch network.

Authority and accountability

• Manage routine operations, staffing deployment and expenditure within approved budgets, company policies and formally delegated authority.
• Signing authority is limited to expressly delegated in writing; the role does not confer independent authority to bind the company.
• Recommend recruitment, promotions, compensation changes, significant disciplinary actions, capital expenditure, restructuring and major customer or contractual decisions to the Country Manager, coordinating with HR and relevant functions. Obtain required approvals before implementation. Country strategy, overall financial accountability and final country-level decisions remain with the Country Manager, subject to corporate authority limits.

QUALIFICATIONS

A degree in a petroleum, petrochemical, scientific, engineering or related field, or a minimum of five years of relevant management experience and/or equivalent training in inspection and laboratory operations.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES

Demonstrated ability to manage multiple branches or geographically dispersed teams, lead managers and improve operational and financial performance. Knowledge of petroleum, chemical or gas inspection and testing, quality management, safety requirements and relevant technical standards. Professional fluency in Spanish and English; ability to interpret technical procedures and applicable requirements, prepare clear reports and communicate effectively with employees, customers and management. Ability to analyze budgets, financial reports, operational data, ratios, trends and quality control information and translate findings into practical actions. Strong planning, problem-solving, coaching and conflict-resolution skills; proficiency in spreadsheet, reporting and company business systems. Ability to travel regularly between assigned branches; a valid driving license where driving is required. Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.

COMPETENCIES

Safety awareness; customer focus; honesty and integrity; building trusting relationships; quality orientation; managing work; financial and commercial awareness; accountability; people leadership; and collaboration.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Performance is assessed against agreed branch budgets and objectives, including profitability, productivity and utilization, customer service and retention, turnaround time, quality and audit performance, safety, corrective-action completion, accurate timekeeping, training compliance and employee development.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The role combines office-based management with regular visits to laboratories, terminals, ports and inspection sites. Site access may involve exposure to operational hazards, chemicals, fumes and noise. The employee must follow site rules, use required PPE and complete applicable safety training. Reasonable adjustments may be considered to support performance of essential duties while maintaining safe operations. Other duties consistent with the role and its assigned scope may be delegated by the Country Manager.

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.