Production Lead

Brunel; Carlsbad (NM); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Brunel Energy is recruiting a Production Lead to oversee a field production unit in Carlsbad, New Mexico. The role includes supervising a shift team, coordinating daily field activities, and maintaining safe, reliable operations in a 1-year contract.

The ideal candidate brings hands-on oil and gas operating experience, strong leadership, and the ability to make sound decisions during abnormal conditions, emergencies, and safety-critical events.

Qualifications

• Hands-on oil and gas operating experience.
• Strong field knowledge and leadership of operations personnel.
• Ability to make sound operating decisions during abnormal operations and emergencies.
• Excellent safety mindset and adherence to HSE requirements.
• Experience coaching and developing shift teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise operations personnel assigned to the production unit.
• Serve as the management representative for operations employees during the shift.
• Assign personnel and coordinate daily field activities.
• Communicate shift goals, instructions, priorities, and expectations.
• Maintain understanding of unit operating condition and risks.
• Lead safety planning and safe-work procedures.

Skills

Oil & gas ops

Leadership

Safety management

Decision making

Coaching

Communications

Job description

Brunel Energy is recruiting Production Leads to work in Carlsbad, New Mexico for initially 1 year contract with our major oil and gas client.

We are seeking an experienced Production Lead to provide operational leadership for a designated field production unit in Carlsbad, New Mexico.

The Production Lead will supervise a shift team of operations personnel and help the unit achieve its production and business goals safely, efficiently, reliably, and responsibly.

This person must be able to make sound operating decisions with limited management support, especially during abnormal operations, emergencies, and other safety-critical situations.

The ideal candidate will have hands‑on oil and gas operating experience, strong field knowledge, and proven experience leading, coaching, and developing operations personnel.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise operations personnel assigned to the production unit.
• Serve as the management representative for operations employees during the assigned shift.
• Assign personnel and coordinate daily work activities within the field unit.
• Clearly communicate shift goals, operating instructions, priorities, and expectations.
• Maintain a complete understanding of the unit’s operating condition, production status, and current risks.
• Make timely operating decisions with limited management support.
• Monitor unit performance and help the team achieve targets for production volume, yield, quality, reliability, and cost.
• Support reliable and cost-effective operations and product movements.
• Coordinate shift handovers with other Shift Team Leaders to maintain continuity of operating conditions, priorities, and objectives.
• Maintain Operator Care, Operations Excellence, housekeeping, and operating standards.
• Support unit turnarounds, modifications, projects, and other operational activities.
• Establish expectations for contractors and monitor their performance when applicable.
• Mentor less‑experienced Shift Team Leaders, step‑up personnel, and operations employees.
• Ensure employees and contractors follow all Safety, Security, Health, and Environment requirements.
• Promote safe, loss‑free field and control‑room operations through the Operations Integrity Management System.
• Identify operational and process‑safety risks and put the proper controls in place.
• Lead procedural reviews, safety planning, and safe‑work permit activities.
• Complete field verifications to confirm that work is performed according to procedures and safety requirements.
• Conduct and participate in Critical Verification Measurements, Verification and Validation activities, and Loss Prevention Self‑Assessments.
• Use Loss Prevention System tools and conduct routine safety stewardship activities with technicians.
• Begin investigations involving safety, operational, environmental, or product‑quality incidents when appropriate.
• Provide initial case management for injuries and promptly communicate incidents to management and supervision.
• Maintain strong personnel safety and process‑safety standards throughout the assigned unit.
• Provide operating guidance and troubleshooting support during abnormal and non‑routine conditions.
• Serve as the main decision point for urgent and safety‑critical operating decisions when management is not immediately available.
• Take appropriate action to place equipment or the production unit in a safe condition.
• Lead the initial emergency response within the assigned unit when required.
• Maintain shift‑team readiness through planned and unplanned emergency‑response drills.
• Oversee emergency‑response plans, procedures, and activities for the assigned area.
• Remain calm, focused, and decisive during emergency situations.
• Lead the shift team according to Operations Integrity Management System requirements.
• Complete personal field verifications and cold‑eye reviews to evaluate operating performance.
• Review Critical Verification Measurements, Standard Operator Interface processes, and other operational assurance activities.
• Manage IMPACT reports to ensure accurate information, clear accountability, and proper follow‑up.
• Identify operating gaps and take action to improve processes, reliability, safety, or team performance.
• Work with other Shift Team Leaders to develop best practices and improve consistency across the site.
• Participate in regional networks or Communities of Practice when appropriate.
• Ensure shift activities follow the Global Product Quality Management System.
• Support continuous improvement across production, safety, reliability, and operating practices.
• Build and maintain a safe, accountable, and high‑performing shift team.
• Evaluate team performance and communicate results to unit management.
• Coach and develop operations personnel.
• Provide clear feedback and performance guidance.
• Promote teamwork, accountability, open communication, and operational excellence.
• Communicate effectively with employees, contractors, maintenance, engineering, and site leadership.
• Understand and support the site’s labor strategy.
• Manage labor relations within the assigned area according to company policies and expectations.

Required Experience and Qualifications

• Previous experience in a closely related production, operations, or shift‑leadership position.
• Strong operating knowledge of the oil and gas industry.
• Previous operating experience in an onshore or offshore environment.
• Experience leading, supervising, coaching, or developing an operations team.
• Strong understanding of safety management and process‑safety principles.
• Experience managing critical operations and making decisions during abnormal situations.
• Ability to make timely, safety‑focused decisions with limited management support.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem‑solving skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong knowledge of production operations and operations‑related technology.
• Ability to coordinate with operations, maintenance, engineering, contractors, and site leadership.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage competing operational priorities.
• Willingness to take ownership of operating decisions and team performance.

Preferred Experience

• Knowledge of console operations and unit‑specific operating processes.
• Experience with process planning and mechanical coordination.
• Experience supporting turnaround planning and execution.
• Experience with production‑unit projects, modifications, or other major operational work.
• Familiarity with OIMS, LPS, OCVM, V&V, LPSA, SOI, IMPACT, and GPQMS processes.