General Manager

JOB DESCRIPTION: General Manager – Water Operations (Brine & Fresh Water)

Position Overview

The General Manager (GM) is responsible for the full operational, financial, and commercial performance of a multi-site brine water (10-lb) and fresh water distribution business serving oil & gas operators, haulers, and service companies across the Permian Basin. This role oversees 22 locations, 4 direct reports, and approximately 22 total employees, ensuring reliable 24/7 operations, safe execution, high service capacity, and strong customer relationships.

The GM will drive operational excellence, regulatory compliance, profitability, and strategic growth. This is a highly hands-on leadership role ideal for an experienced operations executive with deep oilfield water, dispatch, logistics, or field services experience.

Key Responsibilities

1. Operational Leadership

• Oversee daily operations for all facilities, product lines, and field functions.
• Lead dispatch, routing, and 24/7 operational logistics to maintain dependable water supply.
• Ensure operational uptime, high throughput, and adherence to established SOPs.
• Implement continuous improvement initiatives to reduce cost per barrel and increase service capacity.

2. Safety, Compliance & Environmental Stewardship

• Ensure full compliance with RRC, state oil & gas regulations, environmental rules, and reporting requirements.
• Maintain spill prevention, documentation, remediation procedures, and corrective action processes.
• Conduct regular safety meetings, audits, and inspections across all facilities.
• Champion a safety-first culture in all operations, ensuring employees follow proper protocols.

3. Financial & Business Performance

• Own the P&L for all water operations, including forecasting, budgeting, cost control, and volumetric performance.
• Approve and manage CAPEX decisions (facility repairs, automation upgrades, RO systems, meters, pumps, tanks).
• Monitor key financial and operational metrics including revenue per barrel, truck utilization, and facility uptime.
• Improve margin performance through operating efficiencies, labor utilization, and vendor management.

4. Customer & Producer Relations

• Build and maintain strong relationships with producers, haulers, service companies, and strategic partners.
• Serve as the escalation point for operational issues; ensure high reliability of supply and service quality.
• Partner with sales/account management to support customer retention and identify growth opportunities.

5. Workforce Management & Leadership

• Directly manage 4 department leaders and a team of 22 total employees across all locations.
• Hire, train, evaluate, and develop field technicians, facility operators, and dispatch personnel.
• Conduct performance reviews and manage staffing for dependable 24/7 operations.
• Promote a strong safety-first, teamwork-driven culture.
• Build training programs to improve competency, reduce turnover, and increase operational quality.

6. Asset Management & Maintenance

• Oversee maintenance of facilities, pumps, tanks, wells, meters, RO systems, and automation equipment.
• Implement preventive maintenance programs that reduce downtime and extend asset life.
• Ensure accurate metering, ticketing, automation, and SCADA system functionality.
• Manage vendors, contractors, and service providers for repairs and capital projects.

7. Strategic Planning & Growth

• Identify potential new facility locations and evaluate expansion opportunities.
• Evaluate and implement new technologies—including automation, metering upgrades, and digital dispatch tools.
• Lead operational efficiency efforts to improve margins and expand capacity.
• Participate in long-term business strategy development with senior leadership.

8. Reporting & Documentation

• Provide weekly and monthly reporting on volumes, revenue, safety, and operational performance.
• Ensure proper documentation of tickets, manifests, projects, compliance filings, and inspections.
• Oversee billing accuracy and reconcile daily/weekly hauling and water volumes.

Required Qualifications

• 5–10+ years of experience in oilfield water operations or similar oil & gas services.
• Proven experience managing field teams and 24/7 field operations.
• Strong background in budgeting, forecasting, P&L management, and operational KPIs.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to build strong customer relationships.
• Demonstrated success leading teams in a high-growth, multi-site operational environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with SCADA, automation systems, digital metering, and dispatching software.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Operations Management, or related field (or equivalent practical experience).
• Experience working with producers, midstream water groups, or disposal/freshwater logistics.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership & decision-making abilities.
• Operational efficiency and logistics management.
• Safety & regulatory compliance expertise.
• Financial and analytical acumen.
• Customer service, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Problem-solving & crisis management under pressure.
• Workforce development and coaching.
• Strategic planning & execution.

What Great Looks Like in the First 90 Days

A successful GM will:

• Establish trusted relationships with the owner, customers, and the four direct reports.
• Standardize SOPs and identify immediate operational improvements across locations.
• Evaluate staffing levels, training gaps, and equipment readiness.
• Diagnose throughput bottlenecks and present a cost-reduction + volume-increase plan.
• Implement high-visibility safety and compliance enhancements.
• Deliver accurate weekly and monthly reporting with zero slippage.
• Produce a 6-month operations improvement roadmap.

Schedule: Full-time, on-call rotation expected due to 24/7 operations