Vice President for Operations

Job Summary:

We are seeking a highly experienced Vice President for Operations to lead the end-to-end operations of a nationwide petroleum retail and distribution business.

This executive role will oversee key operational functions, including terminal and depot operations, petroleum supply chain, distribution and logistics, retail station operations, commercial and industrial fuel delivery, HSEQ, regulatory compliance, operational technology, and capital infrastructure projects.

The ideal candidate is a seasoned operations leader with strong experience in downstream petroleum, oil and gas, energy, or a closely related heavy industry environment. This role requires a strategic and hands-on executive who can drive operational excellence, ensure safety and regulatory compliance, manage large-scale multi-site operations, and support continued business growth.

Key Responsibilities:

Operations Leadership and Strategy

• Develop and execute the overall operations strategy aligned with business growth, infrastructure expansion, and organizational goals.
• Lead nationwide operations across terminals, depots, retail stations, commercial delivery, logistics, and related operational assets.
• Serve as a key member of the senior leadership team and provide strategic input on operational performance, risk management, capital investments, and business priorities.
• Establish and maintain operational standards focused on safety, reliability, cost efficiency, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement.
• Drive operational excellence and benchmarking against industry standards and best practices.

Terminal and Depot Operations

• Oversee petroleum storage terminals, depots, tank farms, and related facilities nationwide.
• Ensure safe, efficient, and compliant operations across product receiving, storage, inventory management, quality testing, and dispatch.
• Manage product receipt activities, including marine, pipeline, and road tanker receipts.
• Ensure accurate metering, product segregation, inventory reconciliation, and product quality control.
• Oversee preventive maintenance, tank inspections, pipeline integrity, cathodic protection, and terminal automation systems.
• Ensure emergency preparedness across terminal and depot facilities, including fire protection, spill containment, emergency shutdown procedures, and coordination with local emergency services.

Petroleum Supply Chain and Procurement

• Manage petroleum product supply planning, procurement coordination, and regional allocation to ensure reliable and cost-effective supply.
• Develop supply schedules based on inventory levels, demand forecasts, and regional requirements.
• Manage relationships with suppliers, refineries, shipping companies, haulers, and other key supply chain partners.
• Oversee import-related coordination, permits, customs clearance, inspection, documentation, and quality certifications.
• Build supply chain resilience through contingency planning, emergency stock protocols, and backup supply arrangements.

Distribution and Logistics

• Lead primary and secondary distribution operations across the national network.
• Manage in-house tanker fleets and third-party logistics providers to ensure safe, accurate, and on-time deliveries.
• Oversee driver qualification, fleet maintenance, vehicle inspection compliance, and transport safety standards.
• Manage logistics contractor accreditation, performance monitoring, contract compliance, safety audits, and rate negotiations.
• Optimize routes, schedules, and load planning to improve delivery performance and cost efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with transport safety procedures, including loading standards, grounding and bonding, PPE, pre-trip inspections, and spill response protocols.

Retail Station Operations

• Oversee company-owned and dealer-operated service station operations nationwide.
• Ensure consistent implementation of station operating standards, brand standards, safety requirements, and customer service expectations.
• Manage pump reliability, equipment maintenance, POS systems, wet stock management, fuel reconciliation, and station-level controls.
• Monitor station performance, audit compliance, inventory accuracy, and operational efficiency.
• Oversee contractor and service provider performance for fuel dispenser maintenance, tank cleaning, civil works, security, and other station support services.
• Work closely with Sales and Commercial teams to resolve operational concerns related to supply reliability, product quality, dealer relations, and customer escalations.

Commercial and Industrial Fuel Operations

• Oversee delivery operations for commercial and industrial bulk fuel customers.
• Ensure reliable service delivery for fleet operators, industrial clients, government accounts, LGU contracts, and other bulk fuel customers.
• Manage delivery scheduling, metering, documentation, product quality assurance, and customer service standards.
• Support business growth by ensuring operational capacity can meet new commercial account requirements.
• Coordinate with Sales and Commercial teams on capacity planning and resolution of key account operational concerns.

HSEQ and Regulatory Compliance

• Lead the company's process safety management and HSEQ programs across all high-risk operational facilities.
• Establish and maintain safety systems covering hazard identification, risk assessment, safety controls, incident management, and emergency response.
• Champion a strong safety culture across all levels of the operations organization.
• Ensure all incidents and near-misses are properly reported, investigated, and addressed through corrective and preventive actions.
• Oversee compliance with applicable regulatory requirements from DOE, DENR, BFP, DOLE, BOC, LGUs, and other relevant government agencies.
• Ensure all operational licenses, permits, certifications, and regulatory requirements are maintained and renewed on time.
• Monitor regulatory changes and ensure the organization is prepared for compliance ahead of implementation.

Operational Technology and Digital Operations

• Oversee operational technology systems, including SCADA, automatic tank gauging, fleet telematics, POS systems, wet stock management systems, and ERP integration.
• Lead digital initiatives that improve operational visibility, inventory tracking, delivery monitoring, safety, and compliance.
• Work with IT and relevant teams to protect operational technology systems and ensure data integrity.
• Evaluate and implement technology solutions that improve efficiency, reliability, and decision-making across operations.

Capital Projects and Infrastructure Development

• Lead major operational capital projects, including terminal upgrades, depot expansion, station construction, tank replacement, pipeline works, equipment upgrades, and environmental remediation projects.
• Develop and manage long-term infrastructure investment plans aligned with business growth.
• Oversee capital projects from feasibility, business case development, engineering design, procurement, construction, permitting, commissioning, and handover.
• Ensure project safety, contractor compliance, and adherence to applicable engineering and regulatory standards.
• Deliver capital projects on time, within budget, and according to required quality and safety standards.

People Leadership and Organizational Development

• Lead and develop a large, geographically dispersed operations team across terminals, depots, logistics, retail operations, HSEQ, and support functions.
• Define organizational structure, headcount needs, competency requirements, and succession plans for the operations function.
• Build a strong performance culture through clear KPIs, regular reviews, accountability, coaching, and recognition.
• Partner with HR on talent acquisition, compensation benchmarking, and learning and development for critical operations roles.
• Strengthen a culture where safety, accountability, and operational discipline are treated as non-negotiable priorities.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field.
• MBA, Master's degree in Operations Management, Engineering Management, or equivalent is strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 18–25 years of progressive experience in petroleum, oil and gas, energy, or closely related heavy industry operations.
• At least 8–10 years of senior operations leadership experience, such as Operations Director, VP Operations, Country Operations Manager, or equivalent.
• Proven experience leading national, multi-site, or large-scale operations.
• Strong end-to-end knowledge of petroleum downstream operations, including terminals, depots, product storage, logistics, retail station operations, bulk fuel delivery, and product quality management.
• Experience managing petroleum storage terminals, bulk liquid terminals, tank farms, depot operations, product receipt, metering, blending, inventory management, and dispatch.
• Strong knowledge of petroleum supply chain, product sourcing, supply scheduling, logistics optimization, fleet management, and third-party hauler management.
• Comprehensive knowledge of process safety management, HSEQ standards, emergency response, and major hazard risk management.
• Working knowledge of Philippine petroleum industry regulations, including DOE, DENR, BFP, DOLE, BOC, and LGU requirements.
• Experience leading major capital projects in petroleum or heavy infrastructure.
• Familiarity with operational technology systems such as SCADA, automatic tank gauging, fleet telematics, POS, wet stock management systems, and ERP platforms.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing Opex, Capex, budgets, cost centers, and investment business cases.

Nice-to-Have:

• Experience in downstream petroleum, fuel distribution, energy, or large-scale industrial operations.
• Strong executive presence and ability to communicate with senior leadership, board-level stakeholders, regulators, and business partners.
• Strategic operations leadership and P&L stewardship.
• Strong crisis management and business continuity leadership.
• Proven ability to lead operational transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Knowledge of API, ASME, NFPA, OSHA PSM, and other relevant petroleum engineering and safety standards.
• Experience with COCO, DODO, and CODO retail station operating models.
• Hands-on leadership style with a strong focus on safety, compliance, and operational discipline.

Compensation:

• Competitive executive compensation package, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Performance incentives may be included based on safety, reliability, compliance, cost efficiency, and capital project delivery.