Manager, Forest Productivity and Optimization

Rayonier Operating Company LLC; Yulee (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Hybrid work model

PTO & holidays

Tuition reimbursement

401(k) plan

Job summary

Rayonier Operating Company LLC seeks a Manager of Forest Productivity & Optimization to drive efficiency, productivity, and long-term sustainability across forestry operations. Lead data-driven projects, translate research into field strategies, and mentor teams toward best practices.

Ideal candidates bring a minimum of five years in forestry operations (or a Master's with three years) and strong GIS, statistics, and project-management skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Forestry, Forest Management, or related field required; MS preferred.
• Experience: 5 years in forestry ops; 3 years if Master’s; knowledge of forestry sub-disciplines desired.
• Strong GIS and data analysis skills; proficient in MS Office and statistics.

Responsibilities

• Identify and implement strategies to improve operational efficiency and resource allocation.
• Structure and manage continuous improvement projects; scale cost-efficiency initiatives.
• Design field trials to evaluate new technologies and silvicultural practices.
• Collaborate with universities and research cooperatives to maximize benefits.
• Collect and analyze forestry data to identify trends and inform decisions.
• Oversee project budgets, cost controls, and quarterly variance reporting.
• Advise silviculture managers to translate research into daily practice.
• Promote safety culture and sustainability in all initiatives.

Skills

GIS proficiency

R statistics

MS Office

Project management

Data analysis

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor's in Forestry or related field

Master of Science in Forestry preferred

Tools

ArcGIS Enterprise

Job description

Overview

Company Overview: Come grow with us! We are One Rayonier, a team that works together to create value by prioritizing safety, challenging the status quo, giving back to our communities, and driving innovation through continuous learning. With nearly 100 years of experience, we’re still discovering new ways to make lives better with our trees, our land, and — our most important resource — our people. At Rayonier, we strive to create an employee experience where you feel valued and proud to be part of our team. We foster a respectful, inclusive and collaborative environment that celebrates your unique talents and perspectives. Experience the Rayonier difference: We’re big enough to offer exciting career paths, but small enough for you to know your colleagues by name. Come join a team that empowers you to make a difference!

Role: Manager, Forest Productivity & Optimization. You will champion efforts to enhance the efficiency, productivity, and long-term sustainability of our forestry operations. In this role, you will lead high-impact process improvement projects, leverage data analysis to uncover optimization opportunities, and establish operational best practices across the organization. You will serve as the vital technical link between research and practice—translating tree improvement, nutrition, and silvicultural research into actionable field strategies that empower our foresters and maximize timberland value.

Responsibilities

• Operational Optimization: Identify and implement strategies to improve operational efficiency, productivity, and resource allocation while eliminating process bottlenecks.
• Process Improvement & Best Practices: Structure and manage continuous improvement projects; develop and scale cost-efficiency initiatives across forestry operations.
• Field Research & Applied Innovation: Design and implement field trials to evaluate emerging technologies, silvicultural practices, tree improvement, and forest nutrition. Manage and mentor contractors and employees involved in research activities.
• Research Cooperative Collaboration: Partner with university and industry research cooperatives, coordinating activities to maximize operational and financial benefits.
• Data & Analytics: Collect and analyze financial and operational forestry data to identify trends, establish benchmarks, and drive strategic decision-making.
• Financial Stewardship: Oversee project budgets and forecasts, maintain strict cost controls, and perform quarterly variance reporting.
• Technology Transfer: Act as a technical advisor to silviculture managers, field foresters, and contractors, ensuring research findings are effectively adopted in daily operations.
• Safety & Sustainability: Actively promote our culture of safety and ensure productivity initiatives align with sustainability commitments and environmental stewardship goals.

What You Bring to the Team

• Education: A Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Forest Management, or a related field. A Master of Science in Forestry or a related discipline is preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of five (5) years of experience in forestry operations or a Master’s in Forestry or a closely related field with a minimum of three (3) years of experience. Knowledge in one or more sun-disciplines of forestry (e.g., genetics, soils, biometrics, entomology, pathology) is desired.
• Core Forestry Knowledge: Strong understanding of silvicultural practices, harvesting operations, and forest management principles.
• Industry Acumen: Knowledge of industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in forest management.
• Technical Skills: Strong GIS skills with ArcGIS Enterprise; analytical skills including statistical analysis of forestry data with R; proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel).
• Project & Process Management: Experience with data analysis, process improvement methodologies, and project management. Ability to independently manage projects and initiatives, set priorities, and seek direction as needed to align with business objectives.
• Other: Valid driver’s license.

Working Conditions

This role is physically active, requiring regular movement indoors and outdoors. It may involve office work with travel to field locations or industry events. Field responsibilities include working alone outdoors in remote forest locations in various weather conditions, including extreme temperatures, wind, and precipitation. Expect extensive walking, hiking, traversing uneven ground, slopes, wetlands, and dense vegetation, and carrying equipment over variable distances.

What We Offer

• Comprehensive benefits package: medical, dental, vision, life, accident, disability, identity theft protection, and paid parental and caregiver leave.
• Health Savings Account (HSA), Dependent Care Spending Account, and Employee Assistance Plan.
• Wellness reimbursements, annual health screenings, wellness incentives, and financial counseling/tools.
• 401(k) with company matching contributions (60% match on the first 6% of base and bonus deferrals) and a 3% enhanced retirement contribution.
• Flexible work schedules and hybrid work-from-home options (for most positions).
• Minimum of three weeks paid vacation, five paid personal days, 11 paid holidays, and paid sick leave per year. Paid caregiver and bonding leave is offered.
• Tuition reimbursement (80%), career development programs, mentoring, leadership development, and training resources.

StayStrong and Wellness

StayStrong is Rayonier’s health and wellness program supporting better health and financial well-being, including wellness reimbursements, health screenings, mental and physical wellbeing, and financial planning tools.