Operations Manager

About Us

Jet Blast is a trusted provider of industrial and municipal cleaning services, delivering safe, reliable, and efficient solutions for critical infrastructure and industrial facilities across the Mid-Atlantic region. Founded in 1979, Jet Blast specializes in water jet blasting, industrial vacuuming, sewer and pipe cleaning, hydro excavation, and stormwater system services. We proudly support clients in manufacturing, municipalities, utilities, power plants, marine facilities, and construction environments.

With hands-on experience and a commitment to safety, environmental responsibility, and operational excellence, Jet Blast operates 24/7, 365 days a year to meet both routine and emergency service needs. Our long-tenured team of skilled professionals is equipped with industry-leading technology to perform complex work in demanding, high-risk environments, ensuring projects are completed efficiently, safely, and to the highest standards.

At Jet Blast, we take pride in the essential work we do to keep communities safe. Joining our team means being part of a company that values expertise, teamwork, and reliability, while offering stable, long-term career opportunities in the industrial services industry.

The Role Philosophy

Reporting directly to the President of Jet Blast, the Operations Manager is the engine of day-to-day performance across the business. This is a hands-on, on-the-ground role, leading the project teams and partnering closely with senior leadership. You will be present on sites, alongside field crews, and embedded in the daily rhythm of the business. You will hold the team together, ensure every job is executed to the highest standard, nurture the customer relationships that are the foundation of this business, and lead a culture where safety is never compromised.

Who You Are

You are a field-ready leader with deep experience in contractor or industrial service environments. Navigating complex multi-site operations excites you, and you know what it takes to deliver in fast-paced, high-demand settings. You are energized by being close to the work and seeing your impact.

You bring structure and accountability to the teams you lead. Clear expectations, consistent follow-through, and a steady presence people can rely on. Comfortable with the numbers behind the work, you spot cost issues and margin problems before they escalate. You hold a high bar and do it with the kind of respect that builds genuine loyalty in the field.

Above all, you show up everyday embodying presence, excellence, a customer-first mindset, and an unwavering commitment to safety.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Be visible and present across worksites, field crews, and daily operations. This role requires ground-level engagement.
• Manage daily dispatch, scheduling, and crew deployment across all active projects.
• Monitor field activities directly, identify issues early, and resolve them in real time.
• Serve as the point of accountability for day-to-day operational performance.
• Act as a key communication bridge between field teams, project managers, and senior leadership.

Project & Workflow Management

• Oversee all active projects from site setup through closeout, ensuring execution meets schedule, scope, and budget.
• Provide guidance and oversight to project managers on planning, coordination, and contract execution.
• Implement and uphold standardized processes and reporting structures that drive consistency and quality across sites.
• Drive continuous improvement - identify bottlenecks, propose solutions, and raise the operational bar.
• Review and manage change orders, subcontractor performance, and project cost tracking.

Customer Relationships

• Maintain strong, trust-based relationships with key account contacts through regular on-site presence and proactive communication.
• Participate in client and agency meetings; act as an operational point of contact for service issues and performance feedback.
• Support the retention and growth of major accounts through operational excellence and responsiveness.
• Work closely with commercial leadership to support renewals, upsells, and expansion opportunities.

Safety, Compliance & Risk

• Champion a strong safety culture leading by example and holding all team members to the highest safety standards.
• Ensure all operations comply with OSHA/CCOHS standards, environmental regulations, and company safety policies.
• Oversee incident reporting, safety training programs, and prevention strategies.
• Proactively identify operational risks and implement mitigation measures.
• Maintain compliance with federal and state contracting requirements and ensure audit readiness.

Team Leadership & Development

• Directly support staffing, scheduling, and workforce planning across field operations.
• Assist with hiring, onboarding, mentoring, and performance evaluations of operational and field staff.
• Identify and support a spill team structure to manage surge capacity and reduce overtime strain.
• Foster a culture of accountability, clear communication, and operational discipline throughout the team.

Financial & Contract Oversight

• Work in coordination with finance and accounting to monitor project financial performance and cost controls.
• Ensure timely documentation to support invoicing and contract compliance.
• Assist in preparing for audits and agency reviews.
• Support proposal review and pre-construction planning efforts as needed.

Your Profile

• Post-secondary education preferred, or minimum 10 years of operational management experience in a contractor or industrial services environment.
• Proven experience leading multi-disciplinary field teams across multiple simultaneous sites.
• Strong understanding of OSHA regulations.
• Solid knowledge of project management workflows, job costing, and contract administration.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Exceptional communication skills - clear, direct, and credible with both field crews and senior leadership.

What We Offer:

• A high-performance environment where you will grow and take your career to the next level
• An intensely collaborative team and culture, where decision velocity and results are primary markers of success, but where people are at the heart of it all
• A market-leading mindset where creative solutions are not only encouraged but rewarded
• Competitive compensation
• Comprehensive benefits plan