Executive Summary
Founded in 1970 and headquartered in Montreal, UME is the leading provider of marine and environmental services to vessels navigating the St. Lawrence Seaway. Its teams are regularly dispatched to perform mission-critical operations in the Port of Montreal, the Port of Quebec, and the Great Lakes. Services include marine waste management and disposal, specialized vessel cleaning, emergency spill response, mooring, and marine equipment rental. UME’s full suite of services, strategic location, highly trained staff, longstanding relationships, and reputation for quality in highly regulated environments have earned the trust of its customers (ship operators and chartering agents). They also allow UME to play a vital role in safeguarding fragile marine ecosystems.
UME is now expanding into the Maritimes, with new operations in Halifax. To support this developing operation, UME is seeking a hands-on Operations Manager who can build practical routines while keeping daily work moving. Based in Dartmouth, NS, and reporting directly to the Vice President, you will organize field execution, support frontline teams, and ensure safe, efficient, and reliable service delivery as the Halifax operation grows.
The Role Philosophy
Your primary mandate is operational leadership. You will plan, coordinate, and optimize daily operations across the Maritimes, working with senior leadership as required. Your client contact will focus on service execution: confirming job requirements, coordinating access and timing, and resolving operational issues.
You will oversee a broad range of day-to-day operations across multiple service lines. You will ensure that people, equipment, subcontractors, and other resources are effectively planned and deployed. This includes:
- coordinating field activities
- maintaining operational readiness
- supporting equipment and fleet reliability
- implementing emergency response plans
- ensuring compliance with safety, environmental, transportation, and regulatory requirements
You will also own day-to-day operational administration. The Maritimes team prepares invoices and supporting information locally, then sends them to the Montreal team for processing. You will compile accurate job records, verify supporting details, and follow up on missing information so that completed work is ready for handoff.
Who You Are
You thrive in fast-paced, field-based environments where safety, operational excellence, and strong leadership are essential. You bring proven experience leading safety-sensitive operations in marine, naval or defence, or industrial cleaning environments. You understand operational realities and know how to mobilize a team to meet high standards of safety, performance, and discipline.
You are comfortable taking a hands-on approach in a developing operation, including preparing invoices and handling routine administration. You draw on strong interpersonal skills and a commitment to your team’s success to resolve practical, day-to-day issues.
If you are motivated by a dynamic, purpose-driven environment where every day is different and your leadership has a real impact, this is an opportunity to grow with a team committed to action, excellence, and environmental sustainability.
What You Will Build
Operations Planning, Coordination, and Execution
You will be responsible for all operational activities across the Maritimes, ensuring efficiency, safety, regulatory compliance, and exceptional service delivery.
- Coordinate daily work for marine waste services, vessel and tank cleaning, mooring, equipment rental, and spill response. Adjust priorities as vessel schedules change.
- Arrange personnel, equipment, transport, and subcontractors for each job. Confirm availability and deployment timing against operational requirements.
- Coordinate with clients, agents, superintendents, terminals, and port authorities to confirm vessel timing, site access, and job requirements.
- Maintain accurate operational documents and ensure regulatory compliance.
- Monitor job progress, resolve schedule changes and resource gaps, and support emergency response activities.
Operational Performance
You will optimize resources, equipment, and work schedules to maximize profitability and service quality.
- Assign operators and field teams to jobs based on priorities, required skills, and availability, and confirm that they understand the scope of work.
- Ensure that pumps, hoses, vacuum equipment, and related assets are ready for deployment. Coordinate maintenance and ensure the equipment is used safely and effectively.
- Reduce spill risk by confirming safe handling procedures and correcting issues before and during field work.
Health, Safety, and Compliance
You will ensure compliance with safety standards, environmental regulations, and internal procedures.
- Apply occupational health, safety, and environmental protocols across all operations.
- Ensure that teams complete a Job Safety Analysis (JSA) and a 360 Analysis form before each intervention.
- Train and coach field teams on safety best practices, including PPE, signage, and related procedures.
- Manage incidents and take part in investigations following any accident or environmental event.
Team Management
You will lead and develop the Maritimes field team.
- Supervise, motivate, and develop a team of operators and labourers.
- Plan schedules and work shifts.
- Foster a culture of operational excellence and field collaboration.
- Manage conflicts and help your team resolve day-to-day problems.
Continuous Improvement
You will look for ways to make operations safer, more efficient, and more responsive to clients.
- Propose changes to work methods that improve efficiency, safety, or customer satisfaction.
- Conduct post-operation reviews to identify opportunities for improvement.
Your Profile
- 5 to 8 years of experience leading field-based operations in marine, naval/defence, or industrial cleaning environments, including at least 2 years managing multiple sites and/or teams.
- Demonstrated experience managing operational budgets, conducting incident investigations, and overseeing subcontractors in a safety-sensitive environment.
- Comfortable working in a continuous 24/7 operational environment.
- Strong organizational and planning skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Availability and willingness to travel as required.
- Proficiency with MS Office.
- English required; French is an asset given our bilingual operating environment.
- Experience with NetSuite is an asset.
- Knowledge of Lean Management principles is an asset.
- A Class 1 driver’s licence with relevant transportation experience is an asset.
What We Offer
- A high-performance environment where you can grow and take your career to the next level.
- A collaborative culture where fast decisions and results are key measures of success, and people remain at the heart of everything we do.
- A market-leading mindset where creative solutions are encouraged and rewarded.
- Competitive compensation, including an annual bonus plan.
- A comprehensive benefits plan.
