Manager, Forest Productivity and Optimization

Rayonier; Yulee (FL); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) Matching

Hybrid Work

Paid Vacation

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Rayonier is seeking a Manager, Forest Productivity & Optimization to lead efficiency projects, translate research into field practice, and mentor staff across forestry operations. The role emphasizes data-driven decision making, safety, and sustainability in timberland management.

Applicants should have a forestry degree (MS preferred), GIS and R proficiency, and a track record of managing cross-functional projects. A driver’s license is required, and hybrid work arrangements may be available.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Forestry or related field required; Master’s preferred.
• Minimum years of forestry operations experience; MS degree with 3+ years acceptable.
• Strong silvicultural, harvesting, and forest management knowledge.
• Experience with GIS analysis and forestry data beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Identify and implement strategies to improve operational efficiency and resource allocation.
• Structure and manage continuous improvement projects across forestry operations.
• Design and conduct field trials to evaluate technologies and silvicultural practices.
• Partner with research cooperatives to maximize operational and financial benefits.
• Collect and analyze forestry data to identify trends and benchmarks.
• Oversee project budgets, forecasts, and cost controls.

Skills

GIS

R (statistics)

MS Office

Project management

Data analysis

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor's degree in Forestry/Forest Management

Master of Science in Forestry or related

Tools

ArcGIS Enterprise

Job description

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!

Are you ready to drive the future of forest management? As the 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.

How You Will Contribute

• 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. Ensure all productivity initiatives integrate our 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 preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of five (5) years of experience in forestry operations or a M.S in Forestry or closely related field with a minimum of three (3) years of experience. Knowledge and experience in one or more sun‑disciplines of Forestry, such as genetics, soils, biometrics, entomology, or 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 experience in ArcGIS Enterprise Systems. Analytical skills including statistical analysis of forestry data with R. Experience with MS Office programs including Word and Excel.
• Project & Process Management: Experience with data analysis, process improvement methodologies, and project management. Ability to independently manage projects and initiatives, establish priorities, and proactively seek direction when needed to ensure alignment with business objectives.
• Valid driver's license required.

Ready to bridge the gap between advanced forestry research and operational excellence? Apply today to shape the next generation of sustainable land management at Rayonier.

Working Conditions And Physical Requirements

This role is physically active, requiring regular movement throughout the day both indoors and outdoors. A portion of the role involves working in an office setting, utilizing computers and other standard office equipment, alongside regular travel to field locations or industry events. Field responsibilities include time spent working alone outdoors in remote locations in the forest in various weather conditions, including extreme temperatures, wind, and precipitation. This requires extensive walking, hiking, and traversing various landscapes, including uneven ground, slopes, wetlands, and dense vegetation, as well as carrying equipment and supplies including transporting tools, gear, and other necessary items over variable distances.

What We Offer

• We offer a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, accident, disability, identity theft protection, and paid parental and caregiver leave. We also offer a health savings account, a dependent care spending account, and an employee assistance plan. We provide wellness reimbursements, employee discount programs, annual health screenings, wellness incentives, wellness seminars, and financial counseling and planning tools.
• Our 401(k) retirement savings plan includes company matching contributions (60% match on the first 6% of base and bonus deferrals) as well as a 3% enhanced retirement contribution that does not require an employee contribution.
• We recognize the importance of work‑life integration and offer flexible work schedules and hybrid work from home options (for most positions), along with a minimum of three weeks paid vacation, five paid personal days, 11 paid holidays and paid sick leave each year.
• We provide a comprehensive employee development program which provides career planning tools and resources, mentoring program, leadership development, training programs, and an 80% tuition reimbursement.