Operations Lead

Job Description

Job Description

Role Purpose  

The Operations Lead is responsible for executing the programs and design plans set by the General Manager to lay a solid operational foundation for PCS's modern era. With respect to daily operations, you will establish and execute the operational rhythm, surface breakdowns with proposed solutions, and drive change to close root causes — supporting end-to-end readiness in partnership with department managers. With respect to the system, you will execute large-scale change management across technical platforms and people, occasionally filling tactical gaps where systems are undefined; that hands-on experience will inform how the system should ultimately work and where we need to build. With respect to compliance, you will support operational compliance execution and respond to daily needs as they arise. With respect to the team, you will not have direct reports — peer-level accountability is achieved through collaborative leadership, influence, and clear communication. By balancing operational discipline, peer influence, and detail-oriented execution, the Operations Lead plays a central role in advancing PCS's three-year operational transformation while demonstrating strong potential for future people leadership. 

Key Accountabilities  

The following accountabilities define the core responsibilities and expected outcomes for this role. 

Operations Execution & Readiness  

• Execute, continuously refine, and elevate the daily operational rhythm (e.g., operations meetings, production meetings, morning rallies) to ensure effective communication, accountability, and follow-through across teams. 

• Find opportunities to make operation stronger when issues surface, which are signals of the imperfection of the underlying system. Resolve the immediate issue, then work with the General Manager to determine whether it reflects a gap in workflow, SOP, role design, or organizational structure, to define and refine solutions to close that gap at its source. 

• Orchestrate the system that produces end-to-end readiness across scheduling, supply, vehicles, equipment, facility, and field crew deployment. Work together with department managers to strengthen and refine practices to be repeatable with quality through SOPS and accountability structures. 

• Look ahead of the work, not just at it. Proactively examine how work flows across the operation and identify where SOPs, handoffs, or team structures are constraining performance before issues surface. Drive change execution end-to-end so improvements are codified into standard practice, lessons are shared across teams, and the operation grows more resilient over time. 

Compliance and Risk Management  

• Weave operational compliance with federal & state laws (e.g., DOT, EPA, DOH, DOL) and company policies into day-to-day operations procedures, so doing the work the right way and safe way become one. Support job safety process execution and identify safety process improvements; partner with the Safety & Training Manager on rollout. 

• Anticipate and incorporate changes in regulation and industry requirements through change execution — translating new requirements into clear, workable practices on the ground.

Strategic Operations Support  

• Execute on programs and initiatives designed by the General Manager to advance the three-year operational plan; take ownership of assigned initiatives — supporting design but not solely responsible for it. 

• Plan and execute large-scale change management across technical systems (e.g., NetSuite ERP, scheduling, AI-enabled tooling) and people, applying a CICD mindset of small, frequent, validated changes. 

• Step in to execute tactically where systems are undefined or under construction; use that hands-on experience to inform system design feedback to the General Manager. 

• Demonstrate technical competency in computer-based work, including learning and applying AI development tools to operational workflows. (Note: this is operational tool use, not software development.) 

• Use data to investigate issues, triangulate root causes, and drive solutions that improve efficiency, reliability, and service delivery — surfacing discoveries to the General Manager for continued design refinement. 

• Support resource planning across crew readiness, procurement, and equipment by partnering with HR, the Safety & Training Manager, and the FFW Manager on execution. 

Leadership Competencies  

As an emerging leader in this role, you are expected to demonstrate the following competencies. These are calibrated for a peer-influence, execution-focused position.

Drives execution against existing goals.  Executes assigned programs and initiatives consistently, meeting milestones and quality standards. Holds self and peers accountable to defined goals, surfaces opportunities for refinement through hands-on work, and learns from outcomes to improve the next cycle. 

Actively manages change. Plans and executes change management across technical systems and people. Anticipates resistance, designs deliberate rollout sequences, and reinforces adoption through structured communication, training, and follow-up. 

Engages others to reach a goal — leads collaboratively. Builds peer-level partnerships to drive task completion. Uses influence rather than authority to align stakeholders, resolves cross-functional friction, and escalates only when the GM's authority is required. (This is the primary leadership mode for the role — strength here is mission-critical.) 

Supports innovation in own area.  Identifies system gaps through tactical execution and surfaces them clearly to the General Manager with proposed paths forward. Supports the rollout of new systems and tools, including AI-enabled tooling, with curiosity and ownership. 

Aware of how current issues relate to company direction. Understands how day-to-day operational execution connects to the company's three-year operational transformation goals. Uses that connection to prioritize work and to flag when execution surfaces a gap in the strategic design. 

Who You Are  

• An experienced people-first operations collaborator with a proven ability to lead field teams and drive operational results. 

• Skilled at process improvement, identifying systematic solutions, with a continuous improvement mindset and operational discipline. 

• Strong understanding of compliance and safety standards in regulated service environments (industrial, environmental, transportation, construction, or similar). 

• Data-driven, tech-savvy, and comfortable driving performance with metrics and systems. 

• An excellent communicator and collaborator who thrives in a mission-driven, dynamic environment. 

• A continuous learner who actively seeks to grow — quickly absorbs new information, adapts to evolving needs, and invests in personal and professional development (through reading, training, and self-driven learning). 

Qualifications  

• Bachelor's degree or higher in business, operations, engineering, or related field (preferred) — or equivalent experience. 

• 3+ years of progressive leadership experience in operations or field services. 

• Strong track record of team leadership. 

• Familiarity with compliance in regulated industries (EPA, OSHA, DOT, etc.). 

• Competency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and OneDrive). 
• Competency ERP (NetSuite), and telematics and maintenance systems (Samsara), documentation tools (Notion, Obsidian) (preferred).