Refinery Manager - Heartwell Renewables

Job Functions

• Provide overall leadership and accountability for day-to-day refinery operations, including safety, production, maintenance, engineering, logistics, and site services.
• Ensure safe operation in compliance with regulatory requirements and facility goals.
• Ensure all permit requirements are met, and reporting is accurate and timely.
• Oversee the execution of consistent and quality production while driving reliability centered operations.
• Oversee process optimization, debottlenecking, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Oversee turnaround planning and execution, including scope development, contractor management, and post-turnaround reviews.
• Lead and direct compliance with operating and capital budgets.
• Manage capital investment projects and spending.
• Provide accurate and timely production and inventory reports.
• Provide required updates and communications to Love’s leadership, which may include attendance at regular and special meetings and presentations.
• Collaborate with commercial teams to plan procurement, production and sales.
• Collaborate with middle and back-office personnel to ensure integrity of overall business operations for Love’s enterprise.
• Collaborate with corporate fuel compliance team to ensure adherence to Section 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit and Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) requirements, supporting accurate reporting, documentation, and credit optimization.
• Enforce Process Safety Management (PSM) systems, including hazard analysis (PHA/HAZOP), management of change (MOC), and incident investigation.
• Provide leadership to develop and manage talent including forecasting resource needs, recruiting, hiring, performance management, and training.
• Ensure optimal plant performance through effective coordination between operations, maintenance, technical and commercial functions.
• Monitor process parameters and key performance indicators (KPIs) to identify and resolve production and people issues promptly.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 12+ years of progressive experience in refining, including renewable diesel production.
• 10+ years of leadership or management experience in refinery operations.
• Strong understanding of unit operations, utilities, and refinery-style process equipment and systems.
• Experience and responsibility for budgets and staff resource planning.
• Self-driven with technical and commercial strengths to lead a grassroots green field renewable diesel facility and deliver commercial success.
• Be fit to perform the essential functions of the job including working in an industrial work environment that may include loud areas, work around rotating equipment/operating equipment/heavy equipment, extreme temperatures, dust, work at heights, entry into confined spaces, and other potential chemical/atmospheric hazards that require use of appropriate PPE.
• Requires ability to perform physical tasks including frequent walking, standing for extended periods of time, climbing ladders or stairs, and lifting or carrying items weighing up to 40 lbs.
• Relocate to Nebraska and become Nebraska resident (if applicable).
• Must be legally eligible to work in the US without sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with renewable diesel hydrotreating strongly.
• Experience managing a greenfield startup or major expansion project.
• Advanced degree (MBA or Master’s in Engineering or related field).
• Leverage Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing or other continuous improvement certifications.
• Strong familiarity with reliability-centered maintenance and asset management systems.
• Experience in Renewable Diesel, Steam Reformation, Hydro Processing and/or a PSM regulated facility.