Purpose
The Site Leader is responsible for the safe, compliant, and efficient operation of the P2Z railcar loading facility in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. This role serves as the senior on-site representative for Ravago Operations, overseeing all aspects of site leadership during the transition from construction/commissioning into sustained operations, and thereafter leading day-to-day operations, personnel, maintenance, and continuous improvement at the facility.
Areas of Responsibility / Tasks
- Provide overall site leadership for the railcar loading facility, accountable for safety, operational performance, quality, and cost control.
- Lead and direct site operations, maintenance, logistics, and administrative staff (anticipated 30–70 employees and contractors at full operational ramp-up), including hiring, training, scheduling, and performance management.
- Act as the primary site point of contact during the transition from Commissioning and Start-Up (CSU) into steady-state operations, ensuring a smooth handover from the project team to operations.
- Champion a strong HSE&Q culture on site, ensuring compliance with all Ravago/Customer Health, Safety, Environmental, and Quality programs, and ensuring functional independence of HSE&Q reporting lines per site organizational structure.
- Oversee railcar loading, unloading, and switching operations, including pellet/masterbatch material conveying, railcar loading systems, and associated PLC/Integration systems.
- Ensure Operation Clean Sweep (OCS) standards are upheld across the facility to prevent pellet, flake, or powder loss to the environment.
- Manage day-to-day site budget and financial controls, ensuring operating expenditures remain within approved budgets and supporting annual budget planning.
- Coordinate with Dow and other customer/stakeholder representatives to maintain alignment on interface requirements, service levels, and operational priorities.
- Oversee maintenance planning and execution, including preventive/predictive maintenance programs, spare parts management, and contractor/vendor coordination for equipment servicing.
- Manage relationships with rail carriers, switching contractors, and third-party logistics providers to ensure reliable railcar spotting, loading, and outbound movements.
- Ensure utilities systems (e.g., compressed air, process water, cooling systems) supporting the railcar loading facility are operated and maintained within design parameters.
- Develop, implement, and continuously improve site Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), work instructions, and emergency response plans.
- Lead incident investigations, root cause analyses, and corrective/preventive action implementation for safety, quality, or operational events.
- Plan and coordinate regular meetings with stakeholders (Ravago leadership, Customer, Operations Team, contractors) to review performance, address issues, and align on priorities.
- Support capital project execution at the site as needed, partnering with the P2Z Project Team on equipment receiving, installation, and operational readiness activities.
- Follow all Ravago/Customer Quality, Safety, and Environmental Procedures.
- Uphold the Ravago Code of Conduct standards.
- Develop and maintain a positive working relationship with the Customer at all levels, supporting the broader Ravago-Customer partnership.
Key Partnerships
- Project Director
- Ravago/Customer Stakeholders (Dow and other site partners)
- P2Z Project and CSU Teams
- Site Operations, Maintenance, and HSE&Q Teams
- Rail Carriers and Logistics Service Providers
- Equipment Vendors and Maintenance Contractors
Competencies; Knowledge, Skills, Abilities (KSA)
- Demonstrated leadership experience managing a multi-disciplinary site team (operations, maintenance, logistics, administration) of 30+ personnel.
- Preferable knowledge with the following logistics processes:
- Pellet and masterbatch material conveying systems.
- Railcar Loading Systems for Plastic Pellets.
- PLC/Integration Systems for production and communication with Customer Operations Team.
- Strong understanding of rail operations, switching, and railcar fleet management.
- Experience leading sites through start-up/commissioning into stable operations.
- Proven track record of building and sustaining a strong safety culture, with measurable HSE performance results.
- Ability to manage operating budgets and control costs without compromising safety or quality.
- Lead with a “Sell, Not Tell” style and ensure systems are performing using a Management by Walking Around (MBWA) style. Consistently display highest levels of Code of Conduct leadership behavior.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, including the ability to report site performance to senior leadership and customer stakeholders.
- Detail oriented, with strong organizational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities across operations, maintenance, and project interfaces.
Minimum Qualifications/ Education / Experience / Certifications
- Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations Management, or related field preferred (or equivalent work experience).
- 8+ years of progressive operations/site leadership experience in petrochemical, plastics, logistics, or rail/bulk material handling industries.
- Systems Experience:
- Familiarity with PLC/automation systems for railcar loading and material conveying operations.
- Microsoft suite: Outlook, Excel – Required (Teams, SharePoint, PowerPoint preferred).
- Certifications:
- Relevant HSE certifications (e.g., OSHA/CSA equivalents) preferred.
- Rail operations or transportation safety certifications a plus.
Work Environment / Conditions
- Must be comfortable working in a site/plant environment, with exposure to noise, dust, and outdoor conditions, with/without the use of a private office.
- Schedules may vary based on operational demands, including availability for after-hours response to site emergencies or operational issues, in excess of 40 hours with or without notice.
- Travel to areas where climate conditions are anywhere between -40C to +40C.
- Site is located in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada, and incumbent must be able to adapt to winter and summer conditions in this region
Physical Requirements / Demands
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk and talk.
- The employee must regularly use hands on keyboards and other office equipment.
- Ability to occasionally lift up to 55 lbs.
- Ability to adapt to winter & summer conditions in the region of Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada.
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NOTICE TO APPLICANTS:
Ravago Americas is an equal employment opportunity employer. We adhere to a policy of making employment decisions without regard to race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, citizenship status, or marital status. We assure you that your opportunity for employment with this employer depends solely upon your qualifications.
