Senior Forest Analytics & Operations Lead

Manulife group; Charlotte (NC); Hybrid; USD 88,000 - 153,000; Full time

Job summary

The Senior Analyst for Silviculture and Forest Operations at Manulife in Charlotte combines forestry technical expertise with business analytics to support investment performance, operational excellence, and sustainable forest management.

You will lead analytical projects, work with cross‑functional teams, and develop decision‑support tools, dashboards, and economic analyses for forest management across North America.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Forestry, Forest Management, Natural Resources, or a related field required. Master's degree preferred.
• Three or more years of experience in forestry, silviculture, forest operations, analytics, or a related field preferred. Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.
• Knowledge of southern pine silviculture, including regeneration, genetics, vegetation management, forest nutrition, treatment economics, and investment returns.
• Working knowledge of forest operations, harvesting systems, contracting, procurement, timber marketing, and resource planning.
• Strong analytical skills, including discounted cash flow analysis, cost-benefit analysis, scenario modeling, and business case development.
• Experience with GIS and forest information systems. Familiarity with growth and yield modeling platforms such as SiMS is desirable. Remote sensing experience is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects, priorities, stakeholders, and deadlines in a collaborative environment.
• Familiarity with forest certification systems, environmental compliance, and sustainable forest management practices.
• Strong communication, presentation, relationship-building, and collaboration skills.
• Self-motivated, curious, and capable of working independently while contributing effectively within cross-functional teams.
• Commitment to ethical conduct, stewardship, continuous improvement, and a strong safety culture.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical guidance and analytical support related to silvicultural practices, operational performance, treatment effectiveness, and problem resolution.
• Translate business objectives into analyses, recommendations, decision-support tools, and implementation plans.
• Evaluate silvicultural investments, operational alternatives, and emerging technologies using financial and operational analysis.
• Utilize GIS, forest information systems, inventory data, growth and yield models, and other analytical tools to improve decision-making and operational performance.
• Identify, evaluate, and support deployment of innovative forest management practices and technologies.
• Support procurement and RFP activities for seedlings, fertilizer, pesticides, application services, and other key inputs.
• Assist with supplier and contractor evaluation, performance monitoring, negotiations, and risk management.
• Coordinate research cooperative participation, including work plans, trials, data collection, and operational implementation of findings.
• Support forest genetics, reforestation, vegetation management, forest nutrition, and related technical programs.
• Provide analytical support for forest resource planning, harvest planning, timber marketing, and financial performance assessment.
• Support acquisitions, dispositions, due diligence, investment analysis, and strategic business initiatives.
• Contribute to compliance with certification standards, regulatory requirements, and company policies while supporting responsible forest stewardship.
• Promote a culture of safety, operational excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Develop analyses, dashboards, presentations, technical guidance, procedures, and training materials for diverse audiences.
• Lead and coordinate cross-functional projects, managing schedules, deliverables, risks, and stakeholder communications.
• Build strong collaborative relationships across North America and provide responsive support to operational teams.
• Represent the company through participation in industry associations, committees, and research partnerships.
• Complete special projects and other responsibilities as assigned.

Skills

Analytical skills

GIS

Project coordination

Communication

Independent worker

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor of Science in Forestry/related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

SiMS

Forest GIS

Remote sensing

Job description

The Senior Analyst for Silviculture and Forest Operations at Manulife in Charlotte combines forestry technical expertise with business analytics to support investment performance, operational excellence, and sustainable forest management.

You will lead analytical projects, work with cross‑functional teams, and develop decision‑support tools, dashboards, and economic analyses for forest management across North America.