Performance Improvement Specialist

Location: Tulsa, OK, Artesia, NM, or Salt Lake City, UT

About the role

The Performance Improvement Specialist leads the development, alignment, and continuous improvement of operational practices across Midstream Operations. This role focuses on advancing Operational Excellence (Op Ex), ensuring alignment with the Operations Excellence Management System (OEMS), strengthening Conduct of Operations, and improving workforce performance through standardization, assessment, and continuous improvement initiatives. The position partners with Operations, Engineering, Asset Integrity, and Regulatory teams to drive consistency, compliance, and sustainable performance improvements.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of standardized operating practices aligned with OEMS and Conduct of Operations principles.
• Assess field execution against company standards, procedures, and expectations; identify performance gaps and drive corrective and preventive actions.
• Partner with Operations leadership to define, implement, and sustain Operational Excellence (Op Ex) initiatives focused on safety, reliability, and efficiency.
• Ensure alignment and integration of policies, procedures, and work practices across regions to promote consistency and reduce variability.
• Develop and maintain performance metrics and dashboards to monitor adherence to standards, OEMS compliance, and operational effectiveness.
• Facilitate root cause analysis and continuous improvement efforts related to operational incidents, near misses, and performance trends.
• Support the development and governance of procedures, job aids, and best practices to enhance field execution and decision-making.
• Collaborate with training and field leadership to ensure competency frameworks and qualification processes align with standardized practices and business objectives.
• Conduct field observations, audits, and assessments to reinforce Conduct of Operations expectations and identify improvement opportunities.
• Drive change management efforts associated with new standards, processes, and Op Ex initiatives to ensure successful adoption in the field.
• Provide regular updates and reporting to leadership on performance improvement initiatives, compliance status, and key risks.
• Serve as a subject matter resource for OEMS, Conduct of Operations, and Operational Excellence principles across the organization.
• Perform special assignments or tasks as determined by the supervisor.

Requirements

• Minimum of five years of experience in operations, performance improvement, operational excellence, or related roles.
• Experience with OEMS, Conduct of Operations, or similar management systems is strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Engineering, Instructional System Design, or related field (or equivalent experience).

Preferred Experience

• Direct training and supervisory experience.
• Experience conducting training sessions in classroom and field environments for Oil & Gas Operations and Maintenance tasks.
• Experience creating and developing training materials and tools.
• Direct experience in effective procedure writing.

Skills

• Strong understanding of Operational Excellence (Op Ex), Operations Excellence Management Systems (OEMS), and Conduct of Operations principles.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and translate insights into actionable improvement initiatives.
• Strong project and program management capabilities, effectively leading multiple initiatives and driving results across cross-functional teams.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage and align stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment, demonstrating adaptability and sound judgment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and experience using data to support decision-making.
• Strong business acumen to align performance improvement efforts with organizational strategy and operational priorities.
• Comfort and proficiency with digital tools and systems used to support operations, performance tracking, and workflow management.

Supervisory Responsibility

May lead cross-functional teams and initiatives related to performance improvement, standardization, and operational excellence.

Work Conditions

• Office-based with travel up to 25% by land or air (depending on location).
• Subject to varying road and weather conditions.

Physical Requirements

• Standing, walking, sitting, twisting, stooping, crouching, kneeling, talking, or hearing.
• Making visual inspections, precise hand and finger movements, reaching or grasping.
• Lifting and/or carrying up to 20 lbs, pushing and/or pulling up to 10 lbs.
• Perceiving color differences.
• Ability to wear personal protective equipment (beards not permitted, depending on location).

About the Company

HF Sinclair Corporation, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is an independent energy company that produces and markets high-value light products such as gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, renewable diesel, and other specialty products. HF Sinclair owns and operates refineries in Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Wyoming, Washington, and Utah, and markets its refined products principally in the Southwest U.S., the Rocky Mountains, and neighboring Plains states. The company supplies high-quality fuels to more than 1,500 branded stations and licenses the Sinclair brand at additional locations. Subsidiaries produce and market base oils and lubricants in the U.S., Canada, and the Netherlands, exporting to more than 80 countries. HF Sinclair also provides petroleum product and crude oil transportation, terminalling, storage, and throughput services.