Caribbean Operations Manager

Around the globe, Veolia helps cities and industries manage, optimize and make the most of their resources. We provide an array of solutions related to water, energy, and materials to promote a cleaner more sustainable world.

The collective expertise and passion of our people, combined with a broad portfolio of over 10,000 technologies, makes us uniquely positioned to deliver solutions that positively impact the environment. Come be part of something special - start your journey today!

Job Description

Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions (VWTS)- Engineered Systems is seeking a key member of our Caribbean Management team. Reporting to the General Manager of the Caribbean and leading a team of experienced professional field operations and service support teams. Working in collaboration with other senior leaders, you’ll provide strategic leadership and overall customer service for the region while working with the commercial leadership, engineering and sales teams to provide service excellence and grow our projects portfolio.

Our Caribbean business has deep customer relationships, some more than thirty years in duration. While primarily focused on sea water desalination for governments and resorts, we also provide water and wastewater treatment in the power, refining, mining, pulp & paper, and distillery industries. We find a growing demand for wastewater treatment as the region focuses more on advanced treatment for water recovery or discharge.

Through our extensive structure of legal entities, VWTS operates water and wastewater facilities in the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, US and British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, St. Martin, Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad, Aruba and Curacao. This Operations Manager role will have direct reports of local island/country managers and our Services Support team and will work with our centralized teams for EHS, Finance, Commercial Engineering, Project Management, and Technical Support.

Our Caribbean region is growing, and this role is critical to provide the leadership and organization necessary to deliver high quality services to our existing and new customers. This dynamic role involves overseeing complex cross-functional, LTSA and Expert Guidance projects, and operations & maintenance contracts. This opportunity is best suited for a true people leader with proven organizational skills and a track record of hiring and developing top talent. You’ll leverage your business acumen, project management know-how, and industrial water experience to lead a team dedicated to profitably run
sites and complex projects.

This is a high impact position with visibility across the entire Services business. If you like the idea of doing meaningful work with a company that’s doing big things to address complex water scarcity challenges, here’s more!

What you will be responsible for:
▪ Be an inspirational leader for safety including:

• Maintain a safety focus for the entire team, participating in weekly safety focus calls
• Cooperate with regional EHS leadership ensuring that every employee is trained and prepared to conduct their activities in a safe manner
• Be a conduit for action on safety concerns raised by staff
• Perform a minimum of six (6) Manager Safety Visits (MSV's) annually

▪ Lead the fulfillment of service to all customers in the region through day to day management of the Field Service Managers (6), the Service Support Team (3), and technical support resource.
Duties include:

• Ownership of the financial and technical performance of our contracts Vs the annual budget
• Setting and tracking progress against goals and objectives, including looking for ways to improve customer and employee satisfaction and contract profitability
• Conducting regular reviews with both customers and employees
• Overseeing the preparation and distribution of monthly operations reports to each customer
• Reviewing contract KPI's with FSM's including EHS performance
• Working with Procurement and Logistics teams to ensure logistical excellence in bringing parts and materials to remote geography
• Working with Procurement to find and develop key supplier relationships
• Building a cohesive, trained, passionate, and energized team dedicated to customer focus and project compliance and profitability
• Building a succession plan for yourself and other key individuals

▪ Prepare monthly operations reports highlighting EHS, financial, and technical performance Vs. contract, areas of concern, and recommendations for improvement
▪ Work with the Commercial and Finance teams to prepare an annual revenue and cost budget
▪ Co-own customer payments compliance with the Commercial team
▪ Help support customer relations by making presentations and understanding customer needs
▪ Review and approve capital requests consistent with project needs
▪ Participating in WVTS tollgate (WIN) process for commercial approvals for contract
modifications and new projects through technical and cost validation, client meetings, and other efforts as required
▪ Engage EHS, Finance, Treasury, Legal, HR, Compliance, Quality, and Procurement teams as required to support efficient operations
▪ Lead planning for, reaction to, and recovery from natural disasters, including insurance claim preparation
▪ Coordinate activities of the Service Support team which focus on customer invoicing and
collecting, vendor setup and payment, and freight and logistics of transport to the various
islands.
▪ Managing the technical support team, currently consisting of one (1) individual
▪ Conduct monthly financial reviews with the Finance team to spot cost trends and identify
opportunities for margin improvement
▪ Work with the Commercial team to plan and execute annual Caribbean meetings
▪ Work with Caribbean Asset Manager to develop and implement remote monitoring and control strategy across the region
▪ Provide support to the CMS team to help maximize their business whenever possible
▪ Communicate with leadership and supporting functions, and request resources when necessary
▪ Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

What will you bring to the table (Skills/Experience Required):
Required

▪ BS degree in a technical or business field - for example Chemistry, Chemical Engineer,
Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, Biology, Environmental Management, MBA, or equivalent experience.
▪ Minimum five (5) years’ experience in industrial water and wastewater (desalination experience preferred)
▪ Five (5) years leadership experience
▪ Ability and willingness to travel within assigned geography, with an estimated travel of 40 to
60%

Desired
▪ Ability and willingness to work in and lead cross-functional teams
▪ Demonstrated Program / Project management skills
▪ Computer proficient with ability to learn other software applications
▪ Experience with SAP
▪ Strong service-related background
▪ Experience managing a dispersed workforce and strong leadership skills
▪ Purpose driven/passionate in making a difference for our planet
▪ Growth mindset and strong commercial skills
▪ Talent for developing people

Additional Information

Position Location
This role will require communication with and travel to many islands in the Caribbean. The most convenient location to be based in is Florida but other locations will be considered.

What will you enjoy from working with us?
▪ Opportunity for new challenges! We are growing!
▪ A commitment to the growth and development of our people
▪ Competitive pay and benefits including retirement savings plans (401k, RSP etc.)!
▪ Strong leadership team!
▪ An organization that gives back.
▪ An award-winning organization that you will be proud to work for!

If you can demonstrate your extraordinary successes in the areas above, then we would love to hear from you!

Please submit your resume: Offers are contingent upon passing all background checks, drug screen, criminal check and professional reference checks.

We offer competitive compensation and benefits working in a dynamic environment with challenging projects and training provided to ensure your success.

We realize diverse teams make smarter decisions, deliver better results, and build stronger
communities. We’re an organization that champions diversity and inclusion at every level and are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace!

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

As an inclusive company, Veolia is committed to diversity and gives equal consideration to all applications, without discrimination.