Technical Manager

Vopak; Plaquemine (LA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible and hybrid work schedules

Career development and growth

Medical / Dental / Vision Insurance

401(k) Savings Plan

Paid Holidays

Paid Time Off and Sick Days

Tuition Reimbursement

Employee Assistance Program

Disability Insurance

Life/AD&D Insurance

ID Theft Insurance

Universal Life

Job summary

Vopak is seeking a Technical Manager to optimize terminal operations in Plaquemine, LA, ensuring asset integrity and managing capital projects within budget. You will serve as the primary technical liaison for customers, contractors, and authorities, driving maintenance programs and safety compliance.

You will lead and develop engineering and maintenance teams, evaluate new technologies, and ensure accurate record-keeping for all equipment while upholding SHEQ standards and regulatory

Qualifications

• 10-15 years of relevant work experience in project management within a terminal, refinery, or petrochemical plant.
• Proven leadership of technical teams (5+ years of terminal-specific experience preferred).
• Ability to translate complex technical plans and government documents into clear, easy-to-understand terminology.
• Strong project and financial management competencies using MS Office, MS Project, and computer-based design software.
• Knowledge of SHE principles and regulatory standards (API, NFPA, OCIMF, RCRA).
• Willingness to travel regionally and internationally; experience in design/construction of docks for oil and chemical tankers is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develops and manages capital budgets and implements cost-saving strategies to maximize terminal asset reliability.
• Oversees design, construction, and timely completion of capital projects and facility modifications.
• Coordinates technical, engineering, and maintenance matters among internal teams, customers, contractors, and authorities.
• Drives comprehensive maintenance programs including 3YMP and continuous operational improvements.
• Leads, mentors, and develops project and maintenance teams to maximize productivity and technical excellence.
• Evaluates and integrates new terminal technologies and ensures accurate equipment records.
• Champions SHEQ standards and regulatory compliance; conducts technical audits and governance to align with company standards.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Stakeholder management

Communication

Risk assessment

Tools

MS Office

MS Project

CAD software

Job description

Vopak helps the world flow forward. We store the energy of today and tomorrow. But behind our impressive terminals and tanks, it is our people who make the difference. Guided by our culture of Trust, Collaboration, and Courage, we focus on creating an impact that brings the opportunity to grow and to make a real difference. As a Technical Manager, you will play a key role in realizing our ambitions while building both the future of Vopak and your own.

Your Mission

The Technical Manager optimizes terminal operations in Plaquemine, LA by ensuring the structural and material integrity of all assets. They oversee customer, expansion, and capital projects within budget while serving as the primary technical liaison for external stakeholders. Additionally, the role guarantees ongoing asset reliability through preventative maintenance programs while upholding strict safety and quality standards.

What Will you be doing?

• Budget & Strategy: Develops and manages capital budgets while implementing cost-saving strategies to maximize terminal asset reliability.
• Project Execution: Oversees the design, construction, and timely completion of capital projects and facility modifications in alignment with business needs.
• Stakeholder Coordination: Serves as the primary liaison coordinating technical, engineering, and maintenance matters among internal teams, customers, contractors, and authorities.
• Maintenance & Reliability: Drives comprehensive maintenance programs, including 3-year improvement plans (3YMP) and continuous operational enhancements.
• Team Leadership: Manages, mentors, and develops the project and maintenance teams to maximize productivity and ensure technical excellence.
• Technology & Equipment: Evaluates and integrates new terminal technologies while ensuring accurate, up-to-date record-keeping for all facility equipment.
• Safety & Compliance: Champions strictly enforced Safety, Health, Environment, and Quality (SHEQ) standards, staying current on and ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements.
• Governance & Audits: Executes technical audits and provides corporate governance to ensure all projects and operations align with company standards and regulations.

Why You Will Love Working With Us

• Various flexible and hybrid work schedules.
• Career development and growth opportunities.
• Competitive, market-based compensation package depending on your experience and knowledge.
• Medical / Dental / Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account Options
• Short Term/Long Term Disability Insurance
• Basic and Supplemental Life/AD&D Insurance
• 401(k) Incentive Savings Plan
• Paid Holidays (Fixed and floating)
• Paid Time Off and Sick Days
• Additional Benefits:
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program
• Accident Insurance
• Legal Plan
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Hospital Indemnity Insurance
• Legal Plan
• ID Theft Insurance
• Universal Life
• Great atmosphere! Plenty of freedom, room for initiative, and an engaging environment.

Does this sound like you?

• You have 10-15 years of relevant work experience in project management within a terminal, refinery, or petrochemical plant, including proven leadership of technical teams (5+ years of terminal-specific experience is preferred).
• You are proficient in translating complex technical plans and government documents into clear, easy-to-understand terminology.
• You have strong project and financial management competencies, demonstrating the ability to concurrently manage multiple projects and budgets using MS Office, MS Project, and computer-based design software.
• You are highly knowledgeable in health, safety, and environmental (SHE) principles, including risk assessment methodologies (QRA, EIA, Hazops), environmental regulations like RCRA, and industry standards (API, ANSI, NFPA, ISGOTT, OCIMF).
• You have the ability to travel regionally and internationally, and ideally bring preferred experience in the design and construction of docks for oil and chemical tankers.

What energy will you bring?

We’d love to meet you! Together, we help the world flow forward.

Work Environment

This position requires an employee to be in an office environment as well as exposed to outside elements. Most extreme elements are heat in the summer months of up to 100°+ and some exposure to cold of generally no less than 0° in the winter months. There will be exposure to various chemicals and compounds, including fumes and smells, some of them hazardous. The employee may work in elevated environments. Employee must be able to wear PPE required by the locations where they work. General office noise may be experienced and louder sounds and vibrations when outside. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. All environments are safe with appropriate PPE.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, sit, speak and hear. The employee is required to stand, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; the employee may be required, on occasion, to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee may be required to climb ladders/storage tanks up to 50’ in height. The employee may be required to enter confined spaces. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to fifty (50) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Employees may be required to travel by air, rail, bus, or car.

Work Eligibility

Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States. The Company will not sponsor immigration or work visas.

Inclusion & Diversity

Vopak stores vital products with care. Our commitment to care extends to all our stakeholders, including our own employees, new talents and people in our local communities around the globe. We believe that each individual has the right to be treated with respect and dignity, and to work in a professional atmosphere that promotes equal opportunities and prohibits discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, political orientation or trade union membership, allowing everyone at Vopak to develop their full potential. It is Vopak’s policy to employ and administer employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, citizenship status, or status as a disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam Era and in accordance with federal and state civil rights laws.

Accommodations

At Vopak we are committed to building a workplace where everyone feels they belong. To support this, we host several active Employee Resource Groups, including our International, Pride, Women’s and Young Professionals networks.

Vopak is an equal opportunity employer ...

Vopak is an equal opportunity employer. Everyone is different, and the differences in people allow us to match our ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. That’s why we are curious about who you are!

To support qualified individuals with disabilities, we provide reasonable accommodations throughout our application and interview process. If you require assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please email us at [e-mail] . Please include “Reasonable Accommodation” in the subject line and briefly describe the assistance you need. Note that this inbox is not monitored for application status updates.