Technical Services Manager

BurnsSearch; Oklahoma; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

BurnsSearch is seeking a Technical Services Manager to lead the Refinery Technical Service Department in Oklahoma. The role directs process engineering, controls, and laboratory staff to ensure safety, reliability, and performance against refinery targets.

You will guide capital projects, optimize processes, and supervise engineers while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and technical excellence. Strong leadership and communication are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering required.
• Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering or equivalent preferred.
• 10+ years’ experience in oil refinery process engineering, controls or operations.
• 5+ years supervisory experience required.
• Experience with capital and operating cost estimating and economic analysis is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of process safety, P&ID/PFD concepts and related standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Refinery Technical Service Department to safety, environmental compliance, reliability, and operating excellence.
• Provide guidance to Process Engineers, Process Controls and Refinery Laboratory staff.
• Prioritize work and coach staff; evaluate performance for compensation and development.
• Support capital projects and process optimization in coordination with Operations.
• Develop and monitor annual Technical Service budget and cost control measures.
• Mentor engineers and support succession planning and talent development.
• Ensure adherence to safety, environmental and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Process engineering

Leadership

Cost estimating

P&ID/PFD

Excel skills

VBA scripting

Safety compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering

Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering or equivalent

Tools

HYSYS

PRO-II

Excel

Job description

Job Description

Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering required.

Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering or equivalent preferred.

10+ years’ experience in oil refinery process engineering, controls or operations required

5+ years supervisory experience required

Experience with capital and operating cost estimating and economic analysis is preferred

Possess the ability to set up and maintain unit monitoring spreadsheets that include mass, heat and material balances and conversion calculations. Strong computer skills with Excel, Word, and other Microsoft functions

Knowledge and skills with process simulation software like HYSYS, PRO-II and programming such as VBA is preferred

Having a good understanding of mechanical operations of equipment machinery and distillation towers in the field and of overall refinery operation is required

Strong mathematical, reasoning, problem solving and an understanding of P&ID's and PFD's required

Great Communication skills with fluency in English, both oral and written required

Demonstrated knowledge of process technology and process safety with the ability to embrace and drive the vision and change

Fluent in English, oral and written required

Ability to adjust schedule to meet business needs

The Technical Services Manager is a member of the Refinery Leadership Team that provides leadership, direction and guidance for the Refinery’s technical support needs. With minimal guidance, this role supervises and directs activities relating to process engineering, safety and environmental project concept development, turnaround, maintenance and reliability of processing units. Manage the Process Engineering, Process Controls and Refinery Laboratory staff by providing guidance on prioritization of work and responsible for coaching and performance evaluation to achieve the overall refinery goals in terms of safety, environmental and operational targets set via refinery performance metrics. This role is responsible for evaluating plant performance, providing technical solutions and implementing recommendations for optimization, while supporting initiatives in sustenance of long-term sustainable profitability and operating performance.

• Manage the Refinery Technical Service Department to achieve Safety, Environmental Compliance, Reliability, and Operating Excellence. In addition, this position is managed by the Laboratory and Control Systems Engineering.
• Member of the Refinery Leadership Team.
• Work in a team environment with operators and engineers to maintain and troubleshoot problems as well as develop enhancements for the process units and instrumental in driving the operational excellence.
• Provide technical support and technical mentoring to develop Process Engineers and prepare them for future roles in the organization. Aid in interviewing candidates, determine development needs, evaluate performance for compensation, and address personnel issues including training, coaching, and disciplining of subordinates.
• Providing guidance to unit operations and optimization that are aligned with the refinery safety, environmental and operational requirements and goals. Review plant operations and laboratory analysis daily for better efficiency and compliance with operating plans. Monitor, track and analyze data of analytical and control equipment. Report persistent issues and develop corrective actions to ensure root causes are corrected.
• Generating ideas and developing process design improvement projects for strategic and real business improvement.
• Providing technical content for operating procedures, elements of process safety information and management of change. Also, serve as a technical authority of operating limit and drive continuous improvement.
• Work closely with the Capital Project group to develop, provide engineering assistance and implement minor and major capital projects successfully.
• Provide support for Process Catalysts and Chemicals bidding. Contacting Vendors for information and providing Vendors with appropriate process information. Provide guidance to interpret operating data to monitor catalyst performance, recommend operating guidelines, and estimate remaining catalyst life.
• Assist in the planning of unit shutdowns and startups. Administering plant performance test runs as needed, provide any operational data or drawings required to vendors or maintenance if needed.
• Develop the annual Technical Service operating budget and monitor performance to budget.
• Exposure to work near potentially volatile and combustible materials and chemicals

EXPECTED RESULTS

• Manage the Technical Service department to achieve Safety, Environmental Compliance, Reliability, and Operati