Operations Department Manager

About the role

The Operations Department Manager will lead safe, reliable and cost‑effective operation of the refinery and downstream facilities in Basra, Iraq. This senior position is responsible for achieving throughput, product quality and efficiency targets while ensuring process safety.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the Operations Department, translating business plans into daily, monthly and annual operating plans.
• Direct refinery and downstream operations across process units, utilities, tank farms, product movement and loading within approved limits.
• Ensure shift teams follow operating procedures, manuals, process limits and hand‑over requirements.
• Maintain process safety controls such as Permit to Work, LOTO, Management of Change and HAZOP actions.
• Coordinate with Maintenance, Technical, Projects, HSE and Commercial functions for equipment condition and safe handover.
• Monitor plant performance via DCS, laboratory results and KPIs, initiating corrective actions when needed.

Required profile

• Minimum 15 years of solid Oil & Gas experience, preferably in refinery or downstream operations.
• Proven leadership of large operations teams and ability to manage shift coverage, overtime and staffing.
• Experience working in an expatriate environment and supporting localization of Iraqi national staff.

Required skills

• Process safety management (Permit to Work, LOTO, Management of Change, HAZOP).
• Operational monitoring using Distributed Control Systems (DCS).
• Production planning and performance analysis.