Pipeline Manager - Crude Pipeline Systems

Job Description

Job Description

Location: Max Energy Group is Headquartered in Houston, TX and this role will be based in Edna, TX (Edna Terminal / Crude Pipeline System), with regular travel to Seahawk Terminal, pipeline right-of-way, and expansion project sites (Victoria interconnect, Houston corridor)

Reports To: Vice President of Crude Terminal and Pipeline Operations

FLSA Status: Exempt

Functional Responsibilities: Pipeline Operations, Control Room, Leak Detection, Cathodic Protection & Pipeline Integrity, Damage Prevention (One-Call, encroachment monitoring, public awareness, and Operator Qualification compliance), Regulatory Compliance (DOT/PHMSA) and expansion project integration

Max Energy Group is executing a multi-phase crude expansion that will grow the company's pipeline system from roughly 350 miles today with plans over the next 3 to 4 years to add an additional 250 miles to achieve a total system throughput of 1,000,000 barrels per day. The current system includes an inland terminal with 1.5 million barrels of storage and a water side terminal with 612,000 barrels of storage, a Panamax ship berth and a barge loading dock. The two terminals are connected via a 22-mile pipeline and there are two additional 14" lines capable that deliver crude to the inland terminal. In addition to the additional 250 miles of pipeline, the expansion phases will include twinning the line from the inland terminal to the waterside terminal, adding an additional 3.4 million barrels of storage at the waterside terminal along with two new Aframax ship berths. 

Position Summary

The Pipeline Manager is responsible for the safe, reliable, and compliant day-to-day operation of Max Energy Group's active crude pipeline assets, and for building the operating capability required to absorb new pipeline mileage and throughput as the crude expansion project is executed in phases over the next 3 to 4 years.

This position works together with the Vice President of Crude Asset Development's project team, providing operations input during FEED and detailed engineering and leading commissioning and start-up of new pipeline segments, pump stations, and DRA facilities so that each phase is turned over to operations ready to run. As pipeline mileage, throughput, and headcount grow through the expansion, this position has the potential to be upgraded to a Director of Pipeline Operations role, with expanded scope over multiple pipeline systems and a larger Operations and technical staff.

Key Responsibilities

Pipeline Operations & Reliability

• Direct day-to-day operation of all active crude pipeline assets consisting of three pipelines, to ensure safe, on-spec operation and achievement of throughput and reliability targets.

• Own the responsibility for control room performance ensuring 24/7 monitoring, sound alarm management, and leak detection integrity across all pipeline segments.

• Manage the field cathodic protection program working with CP technical support to maintain pipeline integrity in compliance with DOT/PHMSA requirements including pipe to soil surveys, close interval surveys, rectifier and ground bed management.

• Implement a “see it you own it culture” by ensuring that every team member takes ownership and actively embrace positive change and improvement

• Develop the succession and staffing plans needed to support this position's growth as the operating system and facility scales.

Core Competencies

The ideal candidate must possess:

• Strong leadership, communication, and field-team management skills

• Excellent communication skills.

• Critical thinking skills and calm under pressure while managing both ongoing operations and active construction/commissioning activity

• Must be organized and have excellent time management skills

• Working knowledge of DOT/PHMSA pipeline safety regulations and pipeline integrity management principles

• Crisis management and risk mitigation, Incident Command Systems preferred

• Leak detection and control room operations management experience

• Cathodic protection and pipeline integrity program knowledge

• Budgeting, contractor management, and financial acumen

• Pipeline commissioning & maintenance leadership skills

• Contract development & interpretation

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, or Civil) preferred; equivalent hands-on pipeline operations experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.

Certifications (Preferred but not required)

• DOT/PHMSA Operator Qualification program experience

• NACE Cathodic Protection certification

• HAZWOPER Certification

• Incident Command System (ICS) Training

Experience

• 10 or more years of experience in crude or liquids pipeline operations, including:

• Direct supervisory experience leading pipeline operators and technicians

• Leak detection and SCADA system operations

• Cathodic protection and pipeline integrity program management

• DOT-regulated pipeline compliance and damage-prevention program management

• Coordinate pipeline scheduling, batching, and blending activities with the Edna and Seahawk Terminal teams and the crude scheduler to optimize system throughput.

• Manage ROW’s and respond to Aerial Patrol reports as needed.

• Establish and track operational and reliability metrics for the pipeline system, driving root-cause resolution of anomalies, upsets, and unplanned downtime.

Expansion Project Integration

• Serve as the operations subject matter expert into FEED and detailed engineering for each expansion phase.

• Partner with the Vice President of Crude Asset Development and project execution team through design review, pre-commissioning, commissioning, and start-up, ensuring each new pipeline segment, pump station, and DRA facility is delivered operations ready.

• Build the staffing, training, spare parts, and maintenance plans required to safely absorb each phase of new pipeline mileage and throughput without degrading reliability of the existing system.

• Provide field verification of engineering assumptions (ROW conditions, existing pipe condition, station tie-in points) to support accurate scope development.

Regulatory Compliance & Damage Prevention

• Ensure full compliance with DOT/PHMSA pipeline safety regulations, applicable Texas Railroad Commission (TRRC) requirements, and the company's Pipeline Safety Management System.

• Own responsibility for the damage-prevention program, including One-Call/811 response, encroachment monitoring, and the public awareness and education program along all active and newly commissioned pipeline routes.

• Maintain the Operator Qualification (OQ) program, ensuring all covered tasks are performed only by qualified personnel.

• Prepare for and support internal and external compliance audits, regulatory inspections, and incident investigations; maintain audit-ready records for integrity management.

Team Leadership & Development

• Establish and maintain a culture of safety, accountability, and excellence in operations

• Lead current staff of four pipeline operators and one Cathodic Protection technician; assist in the build out of a larger organization to manage the phased growth of the system.

• Partner with the inland terminal manager, the waterside terminal manager and the scheduling group to coordinate needed operational and maintenance activities

• Partner with the HSE Director and Mechanical Integrity Director on incident response readiness, risk mitigation, and integrity management programs.

• Ensure cross-functional support and teamwork with all departments and third-party support organizations

• Lead and mentor direct reports by fostering a collaborative high-performance culture with strong leadership at all levels

• Drive leadership development and succession planning, preparing future leaders by actively delegating appropriate responsibilities

• Coach the team to know their individual limits and overcommunicate by “seeking to understand” and “seeking to be understood”

• New pipeline construction, commissioning, and start-up experience strongly preferred given the scope of the expansion project

Career Growth

This role is structured to grow with the business. As the crude expansion project adds pipeline mileage, throughput, and operating headcount over the next 3 to 4 years, Max Energy Group anticipates the potential for this position to evolve into Director of Pipeline Operations, with broader scope across multiple pipeline systems and a larger direct-report team.

Work Environment & Travel Requirements

• This role is based in Edna, TX, with frequent onsite presence at Edna Terminal, Seahawk Terminal, and along the pipeline right-of-way.

• Ability to work in high-pressure environments where operational availability and pipeline integrity are critical, including after-hours response as needed.

• Travel to Houston-area project sites, the Victoria interconnect, vendor sites, and industry conferences as needed.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, sit, speak and hear. The employee is required to stand, use hands to handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; the employee may be required, on occasion, to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to ten (50) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Employee may be required to travel by air, rail, bus, or car.