Operations Manager - Tanking

About the role

Canal Barge Company

About the role

I. Basic Function

The Operations Manager - Tanking has accountability for the company's vessel tankerman workforce and its cargo transfer performance. The role hires, develops and manages tankermen, drives safety and incident-free transfers, and is integral to incident response if something goes wrong.

Initial focus: lead the alignment of vessel tanking operations under one unified standard: one set of procedures, training, equipment expectations and performance measures across every Traust vessel.

Safety and reliability is what our customers expect. This role makes sure the tankerman team delivers it every day: barges prepared ahead of the dock call, transfers that run clean and on time, and a safety record customers can count on.

We are looking for a steady, visible leader in the Houston area, someone that will develop trust and respect with customers, mariners and peers.

A. Unified tanking standard (initial priority)

• Assess current tanking practices, procedures and equipment across all Traust vessels.
• Define one unified standard for cargo transfers: procedures, checklists, PPE, equipment and documentation.
• Roll out the standard through training, field verification and clear accountability for tankermen.
• Align the standard with TSG, Port Captains, Compliance, Logistics and Sales so customers see one consistent operation.
• Measure adoption and close gaps to ensure the standard is how every transfer is done.

B. Shore tanking partnership (TSG)

• Exchange best practices and lessons learned across the Traust fleet.
• Align on PPE standards, organizational policy and core tanking expectations so the company presents one consistent approach to customers and regulators.
• Coordinate on shared topics such as regulatory changes, hose and equipment practices, and customer and terminal requirements.
• Explore career paths between vessel and shore tanking to develop and retain talent.

C. Hiring and onboarding

• Own the full hiring cycle for vessel tankermen: workforce planning, sourcing, interviewing and selection.
• Build and run a structured onboarding program covering company procedures, vessel familiarization and transfer standards.
• Own Verification of Tankerman-PIC credentials, MMC endorsements, TWIC and drug-testing compliance before assignment.
• Partner with Training to assess competency and develop tankermen toward higher endorsements and leadership roles.

D. Placement and deployment

• Place tankermen across the fleet based on skills, endorsements, cargo experience and vessel needs.
• Work alongside Port Captains and Logistics to match tankerman coverage to barge movements and customer schedules.
• Work with the Crewing department to manage rotations, relief coverage and staffing gaps.

E. Barge make ready

• Partner with vessel crews, tankermen and Port Captains to drive a strong make-ready culture across the fleet.
• Hold the line on company make-ready inspections: thorough, complete and documented every time.
• Surface deficiencies early and work with Barge Maintenance to prioritize, schedule and close out repairs with enough lead time that dock calls are never at risk.
• Coordinate with Logistics and terminals so barge readiness lines up with scheduled dock windows.
• Use make-ready findings and trends to target training, equipment fixes and procedure updates.

F. Safety, compliance and proactive mitigation

• Set and enforce cargo transfer standards in line with 33 CFR 155/156, 46 CFR, company SMS and customer requirements.
• Identify risk before it becomes an incident: transfer audits, ride-alongs, near-miss trends and equipment condition (hoses, gaskets, connections).
• Lead pre-job planning and hazard reviews for higher-risk or unfamiliar cargoes.
• Keep the team audit-ready for USCG, customer vetting and terminal inspections.

G. Incident response

• Serve as the operational lead for tankerman-related incidents, spills and near misses.
• Coordinate immediate response with Port Captains, HSE, the QI/response contractors and customers.
• Lead or support root cause investigations and close out corrective actions.

H. Continuous improvement

• Track and report transfer performance: incidents, delays, overtime, turnover and customer feedback.
• Standardize procedures, checklists and best practices across the tankerman group.
• Bring field feedback into equipment, procedure and training decisions.

III. Key Working Relationships

Port Captains (including Unit Tow)

Day-to-day partner on tankerman placement, vessel readiness and problem solving; aligns tankerman coverage and transfer standards with unit tow operations

Logistics, Unit Tow Sales and Allocations

Aligns tankerman deployment and barge readiness with allocations, barge movements, loading windows and customer commitments; supports vetting and new liquid business with a clear view of tankerman capacity

HSE and Training

Builds compliance, competency and incident investigation into how the team works

• Crewing / HR
• Supports recruiting pipeline, pay practices and employee engagement
• TSG (shore tanking)

Align on the company's view of tanking: best practices, PPE, training methodologies, policy and career paths

IV. Leadership Attributes

• Leads beyond the org chart: builds trust and gets results with Port Captains, Logistics and Sales, not just direct reports.
• Sees the whole operation: connects tanking to vessel operations, scheduling, customer commitments and efficiency / expense management.
• Builds leaders: coaches, develops and grows a bench of strong vessel, field, and shoreside talent. Thoughtful in team design and building team capabilities.
• Business-minded: understands how operational decisions drive customer satisfaction, revenue and costs.
• Steady under pressure: a calm, credible presence in the field, during an incident and in the leadership room.
• Holds the standard: consistent, fair and visible in the field.
• Communicates up and out: gives senior leadership clear, honest updates and recommendations.
• Ready for more: takes ownership of broader scope as Houston operations grow.

V. Qualifications

Required

• 7+ years in inland marine liquid cargo operations, including hands-on tankerman experience.
• 3+ years successfully leading people, in the field or shoreside.
• Working knowledge of 33 CFR 155/156, 46 CFR Subchapters D and O, and liquid cargo transfer practices.
• Track record in hiring, developing and holding crews accountable.
• Calm, decisive incident response experience.
• Strong communicator with mariners, customers and senior leaders.
• Lives in or will relocate to the Houston area; able to respond to the field and travel as needed.
• Valid TWIC.

Preferred

• Current or prior Tankerman-PIC (Barge) endorsement.
• Experience on the Houston Ship Channel and Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.
• Familiarity with customer vetting and terminal requirements (e.g., ACV/OCIMF-style inspections).
• Experience with Subchapter M, TSMS or ISM-based safety systems.
• Port Captain, Port Engineer or comparable shoreside operations experience.

VI. Measures of Success

• One tanking standard adopted and verified across all vessels.
• Zero preventable spills and fewer transfer-related incidents and near misses.
• Builds tankering capability through effective recruiting, retention and effective competency training.
• Barges consistently prepared ahead of dock calls, with transfers on schedule and fewer tankerman-related delays.
• Clean USCG, customer and terminal audit results.
• Port Captains, Logistics and Sales see this role as a reliable partner.

VII. Working Conditions

• Office-based in Houston with regular time on docks, fleets, barges and towboats.
• On call for incident response, including nights, weekends and holidays.
• Work in marine and industrial settings: weather exposure, climbing, uneven and wet surfaces, and required PPE.