PurposeThe 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.
